UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT   LOS  ANGELES 


ROBERT  ERNEST  COWAN 


A 


THIS 


TWELVE  MONTHS  VOLUNTEER; 

OR, 

JOURNAL   OF  A  PRIVATE, 

IN    THE 

TENNESSEE  REGIMENT  OF  CAVALRY, 

IN  THE   CAMPAIGN,  IN  MEXICO, 

1846-7; 

COMPRISING  FOUR   GENERAL  SUBJECTS 

I.  A  SOLDIER'S  LIFE  IN  CAMP ;  AMUSEMENTS ;  DUTIES;  HARDSHIPS; 

II.  A  DESCRIPTION  OF  TEXAS  AND  MEXICO,  AS  SEEN  ON  THE  MARCH; 

III.  MANNERS;  CUSTOMS;  RELIGIOUS  CEREMONIES  OF  1.  E  MEXICANS; 

IV.  THE  OPERATIONS  OF  ALL  THE  TWELVE  MONTHS  VOLUNTEERS: 

INCLUDING      A     COMPLETE 

HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR  WITH  MEXICO. 

EMBELLISHED    WITH 

CORRECT  ENGRAVINGS,  FROM  DRAWINGS  BY  THE  AUTHOR. 


BY    GEORGE    C.   FURBER, 

or    COMPANY    a. 


CINCINNATI: 
J.    A.    &    U.    P.    JAMES,    WALNUT    ST. 

1849. 


E.ITIRED,  according  to  Art  ot  Congress,  in  tne  year  1847,  by 

GEORGE    C.    FURBER, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  District  of  Ohio. 


JAMES  k  CO.,  Stanotypm,  Cioenmti. 
J.  A.  k  0.  F.  JAMES*  Stow  Pre» 


9 


C^Crte. 


a* 


DC 

**  TO  THK 


OFFICERS   AND   SOLDIERS 


OF      THE 


TWELVE     MONTHS     VOLUNTEERS, 
g 
2 

THIS    WORK 


IS  RESPECTFULLY  INSCRIBED. 

CD 


PREFACE, 


To  Major  General  Patterson  and  Colonel  Abercrombie,  his  aid,  the  author 
gratefully  acknowledges  his  obligations,  for  the  information  given  him  of 
the  army  movements  from  time  to  time,  and  more  especially  for  the  revisal 
of  his  journals  during  the  stay  of  the  army  at  Jalapa, — thus  enabling  him, 
with  confidence,  to  present  them  to  the  public.  To  Colonel  Thomas,  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Allison,  Major  Waterhouse,  and  Captain  Sneed,  of  the  Ten- 
nessee cavalry,  he  takes  pleasure  in  declaring  his  indebtedness,  for  the  con- 
tinued opportunities  and  indulgence  granted,  in  allowing  him  time  and  leave 
of  absence  from  the  regular  duties  of  camp,  while  near  the  Mexican  cities  ana 
towns,  in  order  to  procure  the  information  herein  contained.  To  the  gen- 
lemanly  adjutants  of  the  1st  and  2d  Tennessee,  and  3d  Ohio  regiments,  he 
is  indebted  for  much  information,  more  particularly  in  their  power  to  give.  ' 
To  most  of  the  officers  in  his  own  regiment,  and  many  of  those  in  the  Is- 
and  2d  Tennessee,  he  returns  his  thanks,  for  the  relation  of  many  items 
and  facts  which  came  under  their  more  immediate  observation ;  and  for  their 
Strong  interest  manifested,  while  yet  on  the  scene  of  operations,  for  the  char- 
acter and  success  of  this  work. 

To  Dr.  Woodworth,  now  of  Cincinnati,  but  resident  in  the  interior  of 
Mexico  for  the  past  eight  years,  the  author  is  much  indebted,  for  the  complete 
revisal  and  approval  of  his  proof-sheets,  as  they  came  from  the  press,  in 
all  things  relating  to  Mexican  manners,  customs,  laws,  and  religious  cere- 
monies,— thus,  in  these  respects,  enabling  him  to  present  them  to  the  pub- 
lic, fully  confident  that  nothing  therein  will  convey  the  slightest  impression 
of  anything  save  facts,  as  they  exist. — In  giving  these  accounts,  he  ac- 
knowledges the  assistance  of  no  work  whatever  on  Mexico  or  Mexicans ; 
being  entirely  original,  and  he  not  willing  to  endorse  the  errors  or  care- 
lessness of  others. 

To  his  numerous  fellow-soldiers,  who,  at  Victoria,  Mex.,  Tampico,  Vera 
Cruz,  Plan  del  Rio  and  Jalapa,  subscribed  to  the  work,  upon  hearing  the 
details  of  the  manuscripts  and  examining  the  drawings  of  places, — on  the 
promise,  too,  on  his  part,  that  it  should  be  issued  from  the  press  by  the  1st 
of  November,  1847, — the  author  owes  an  apology,  for  his  failure  to  produce 


i 


yi  PREFACE. 

it  in  that  specified  time ;  and  he  trusts  that  they  will  receive  his  excuse,  as 
he  found  it  wholly  impossible  to  finish  the  book  and  engravings  within  that 
period,  and  as  they  will. see  that  he  has  furnished  a  larger  and  more  com- 
plete work  than  that  contracted  for,  but  with  no  increase  of  price. 

A  description  of  the  country  ;  the  transactions  in  camp  and  on  the  inarch  ; 
the  battles  fought  by  the  immediate  division  to  which  the  Tennessee  cavalry 
was  attached  ;  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  Mexicans,  &c.,  was  prom- 
ised; but  he  has  taken  a  wider  range,  and  worked  in  with  those  an  account 
of  all  the  actions  of  the  twelve  months'  volunteers,  and  a  complete  history 
of  the  war. — Five  hundred  and  fifty  pages  was  the  proposed  extent ;  he 
has  given  six  hundred  and  twenty-four; — six  engravings  weie  to  be  in  the 
work ;  he  has  placed  in  twenty-three,  and  added  a  map  of  the  whole  scene 
of  operations.  He  trusts,  on  these  accounts,  that  his  failure  in  time  in 
issuing  the  book,  will  be  passed  over. 

To  the  general  reader,  the  author  would  remark,  that  in  this  work  'here  has 
not  been  the  slightest  opportunity,  even  had  he  been  so  disposed,  for  the  flight 
of  imagination,  or  any  departure  from  truth :  for  thousands  witnessed  the 
scenes  here  described.  The  errors  would  have  been  instantly  detected  by 
them ;  and  especially  condemned  by  those  whose  aid  and  support  has  been 
freely  given  to  the  work  only  on  account  of  its  faithful  details,  whether  of 
important  operations,  or  of  lighter  scenes  in  camp. 

The  author  has  aimed  at  no  excellence  of  style;  he  has  endeavored 
to  use  the  more  familiar  words  and  every  day  expressions  of  life,  conscious 
that  the  relation  of  facts  would  be  the  main  object  with  the  reader,  rather 
than  the  language  in  which  they  might  be  dressed. 

In  the  list  of  killed  and  wounded  there  may  be  errors  in  the  letters  of 
the  names;  —  probably  there  are  such:  as  it  is  next  to  impossible  for  so 
many  proper  names  to  be  all  correctly  spelled  ;— there  may  also  be  some 
omissions.  In  either  case,  the  author  would  be  happy  to  receive  communi- 
cations from  the  friends  of  the  fallen,  or  from  the  wounded  themselves,  ad- 
dressed to  him,  care  of  the  publishers,  post-paid,  and  such  errors  shall  be 
corrected  in  the  next  edition;— or  if  he  has  inadvertently  neglected,  in  any 
particular,  to  do  full  and  even  justice  to  any  regiment,  command,  or  officer, 
he  would  be  thankful  for  communications,  in  like  manner,  upon  the  subject : 
for  thin,  too,  may  be  the  case,  especially  in  the  operations  of  other  divisions 
of  the  army  than  that  to  which  he  was  attached,  notwithstanding  his  un- 
wearied endeavors,  to  procure  all  published  information  and  personal 

counts  from  individuals  who  bore  distinguished  parts  in  those  scenes,  and 
confidence  which,  consequently,  he  feels  in  their  correctness. 

CINCINNATI,  January,  1848. 


CONTENTS. 


and  Commencement  of  the' War — Battles  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la 
Palma — Bombardment  of  Fort  Brown — War  Bill — Call  for  Volunteers — List 
of  the  Regiment  of  Twelve  Months  Volunteers from  page  13  to  _44 

CHAPTER    I. 

The  Twelve  Months'  Volunteer — Tennessee  Regiment  of  Cavalry — March  to 
Little  Rock — Drumming  out  of  Camp — Little  Rock — Encampment  at  Sabine 
River — Magnet  Cove — Camp  at  Caddo  River — Soldiers  Cooking — Squatter 
'Jfirl — Camp  at  Little  Missouri — Washington,  Ark. — Fulton — Line  of  Texas 
— Sulphur  Fork — Alligators — Sickness  in  Camp— The  Philosopher — Upshur 
county from  p.  45  to  66 

C  HAPTER    II. 

Branton's — "  The  Rainy  Day  " — Crockett — Old  Bell — Petrified  Timber— Rob- 
bins'  Ferry,  Trinity  River— Beautiful  Prairie — Grimes  County — Landscapes 
— Washington,  Texas — Soldier's  Burial — Riding  a  Rail — Independence- 
Brave  Boy — Picturesque  Basin — Alligators from  p.  67  to  94 

CHAPTER    III. 

Operations  of  Gen.  Taylor — March  of  the  Army — Situation  of  the  City  of  Mon- 
terey— Attack  on  Monterey — Storming  of  Fort  Tannerio — Charge  of  Lancers 
upon  1st  Ohio  Regiment — Worth's  Movements  on  21st  September — Bragg's 
Artillery — Worth's  Attack  on  22d — Quitman's  Operations  on  23d  September 
—Worth's  Operations  on  do. — Ampudia's  Proposal — Cessation  of  Hostilities 
— Capitulation  of  Monterey — List  of  Killed  and  Wounded  of  1st  Tennessee, 
1st  Mississippi,  1st  Ohio  and  1st  Kentucky  Regiments,  Baltimore  Battalion, 
Texas  Rangers,  and  Louisianians from  p.  95  to  119 

CHAPTER    IV. 

Return  to  the  Tennessee  Regiment  Cavalry,  on  the  March  at  La  Grange,  Texas 
— Fine  Natural  Scenery — Singular  Water  Holes — Report  of  Sickness  ahead 
— Mexican  Gourds — Chase  on  the  Prairie — Lands  on  the  Guadaloupe — David 
Crockett's  Rifle  «  Betsy  " — Rough  Houses — Hog-wallow  Prairie — Comanche 

(vii) 


yfci  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

«•»••• 

Depredation*- Victoria,  Texas— Camp  Placedor— Port  La  vacca— Emigrants* 
—Feigning  Sickness— Tarantulas  — Centipedes— Scorpions— Express  from 
Gen.  Taylor— Col.  Fannin's  Ei;trenchments— San  Antonio  River— Ruins  of 
Goliad— Maawcre  of  Fannin's  Command— Santa  Anna's  Duplicity— Hunter's 
Escape— Soldier  on  Guard— Effect  of  Liquor— Prickly  Pear— Neuces  River— 
Corpus  Christi— Gen.  Taylor's  old  camp— Musquit  Trees— Chapparal— Alarm 
•f  Enemy  ahead—"  Battle  of  the  Mustangs  "—Signs  of  Indians— Scattering 
Comanches— Mexican  Traders— Wild  Horses:  Capture  of  one— Wolves- 
Hainan  Skeletons— Lost  Hunters— Salt  Marshes— Want  of  Water— Briny 
Lake—  Charge  on  Whisky  Barrels— Sal  Colorado  —  Arrival  on  the  Rio 
Grande from  p.  120  to  187 

CHAPTER    V. 

Buildings  of  Matamoras— Gardens— Dress  of  Mexicans — Appearance  on  Horse- 
back— Fort  Brown— Women  of  Matamoras-*Horsemanship — Copper  Balls 
—Skeletons  on  Battle-Fields — Camp  Ringgold — Agua  Dulce  Lake — Mexican 
Servants  in  Camp — Ranchos — Cultivated  Fields — Canales'  Men — Ranches 
and  Haciendas — System  of  Peonage  or  Servitude from  p.  188/0  212 

CHAPTER   VI. 

Parade  on  Plaza— Scene  at  Pay-table— Scene  at  Alcalde's  Court — Mexican 
Plows  and  Carts — Mexican  Priest — Funeral  Processions — City  Prison — 
Stores  in  the  City — Breaking  a  Wild  Horse — Skill  with  the  Lasso — Dress 
Parade— Arrival  of  Gen.  Patterson — Gambling  Scenes  in  Camp — Reports  of 
Contemplated  Attacks — Vigilance  of  the  Regiments — Picket  Guards — Mexi- 
can Fandango — Officers  caught  without  the  Countersign — The  Sentinel  on 
Picket — False  Alarm — Review  of  Gen.  Patterson's  Division  .from  p.  213  to  241 

CHAPTER    VII. 

Central  Army,  under  Gen.  Wool — List  of  his  Corps — Movements  of  his  Army 
— Northern  Army,  under  Gen.  Kearney — Capture  of  Santa  Fe — Departure 
for  California— March  of  1st  Missouri  Cavalry,  Col.  Doniphan— Expedition 
against  the  Navajos — Scenes  at  Council  with  the  Navajos — Dress  of  the 
Chiefc  and  Warriors— Dress  of  the  Navajo  Women— Conclusion  of  the 
Council— Col.  Doniphan's  March— Scenes  on  Christmas-Day— Battle  of  Bra- 
»ito— Capture  of  El  Paso — Recapitulation  of  Army  Movements — Operations 
of  the  Navy— Gulf  Squadron,  Commodore  Conner— Pacific  Squadron,  Com- 
modore Sloat— Expedition  against  San  Diego— Gen.  Kearney's  Arrival  in  Cali- 
fornia—Change in  Mexican  Government— Santa  Anna's  Return  to  Mexico — 
Poailions  of  American  and  Mexican  Armies,  at  the  close  of  1846.  from  p.  242  to  274 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

March  of  Gen.  Patterson's  Division— Excitement  in  Matamoras— Want  of  Water 
-Christmas-Day  and  Dinner— The  «  Long  Day's  March  "—Contention  for 
Water,  at  Night— Valley  of  San  Fernando— Cemetery,  or  Campo  Santo- 
Hypocrisy  of  Alcaldes-Meeting  of  Alcaldes-Method  of  Justice  before  them 
-Mexican  Officers  of  Justice— Manner  of  Riding  Double-Rough  Scenery 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

—Cactus  Gigantea — Other  Cacti — Removing  Obstacles  on  the  March — 
Changes  of  Scenery — Beautiful  Valley — Appetite  of  the  Soldiers  for  Coffee — 
Extensive  Plains — Ancient  Dam — Old  Palace  at  Santander — The  New  Year 
— Excellent  Well  at  Rancho — Mexican  Bridges,  Aqueducts,  and  Wells — 
Crossing  the  San  Antonio  River — Padilla  River — Town  of  Padilla — Sketch 
}f  the  Life  of  the  Emperor  Iturhide — Spirituous  Liquor,  Muscat— Barren 
Hifls — Rio  Corona — Capilla,  Church  at  Hacienda — Priests  at  a  Capilla— Cere- 
mony of  "  Nuestra  Senor  Esta  Patente  " — Arrival  at  Victoria — Scenes  in  City 
of  Victoria — Houses  of  Peones — Mountains — Personal  Appearance  of  Gen. 
Taylor — Swapping  Horses  with  Generals — Gen.  Twiggs'  Personal  Appearance 
— Sudden  Norther — Mass  at  Parochia — Burial  of  "  Angels '' — Rifa  de  Almas 
— Reception  of  Letters — Marcli  o™  Capt.  Haynes's  Detachment — Dispatches 
from  Gen.  Scott — Consequent  Movements — "  El  Nacimiento,"  from  p.  275  to  341 

CHAPTER    IX. 

March  of  Generals  Patterson,  Twiggs,  Pillow,  and  Quitman — Camp  at  Rio  de 
Floris — Mishap  to  Gen.  Patterson — Search  for  a  Bottle  of  Brandy — Parties  of 
Lancers — Mesas  or  Table-Lands — Sports  of  the  Infantry — Crosses  over  the 
Murdered — Rio  Follon — La  Palma  Bendita: — Different  Plants  and  Trees — Gua- 
nos— Hacienda  of  Alomiter — Extent  of  Hacienda — Slight  Attack  by  Lancers 
— Hacienda  of  Chocoi— Don  Ramon  Prieto — Old  Spanish  Carriage — Moun- 
tain of  Bernal — Lechugas — Atajcs,  Arrieros,  and  Custom-House  Officers  in 
Mexico — Lake  Carpentero — Dignity  of  Officers — Impudence  of  a  Private — 
Rancho — The  Mustang  Cavalry- — Town  of  Altamira — Agave  Americana,  or 
Maguey — La  Encarnacion — Company  G  sent  on  Scout — Beauty  of  Country 
South  of  the  Panuco — Banana  Plants — Ancient  MexicJn  Idol — March  into 
Tampico— Extensive  Prospects — Encampment  at  Tampico — Monopoly  of  To- 
bacco by  Mexican  Government from  p.  342  to  393 

CHAPTER    X. 

City  of  Tampico — Fort  Andonega — Plaza  de  Comercia — Signs  over  the  Stores 
— Puros  and  Cigarros — Mexican  Liquors,  and  Method  of  Distillation — Polite- 
ness of  Mexicans — Markets  of  Tampico — Lanchas — Sea  Turtles — Style  of 
Building — Streets — Senoritas — Aguadores — Plaza  de  Armas — Hospital — Pan- 
daderia — Rosca  de  los  Muertos,  or  Loaves  for  the  Dead — Parades  and  Drills 
— Camp  Scenes — Liquor,  in  Camp — Scenes  in  the  Tents — Absence  of  Care 
with  Soldiers — The  Wrecked  Louisianians — Sickness — The  Philosopher  and 
his  Horse,  Rosiriante — Beef  for  Gen.  Cos — Criminal  Court  of  Tampico — 
Search  of  the  new  Sheriff  for  "  Locks  " — "  Locks"  and  "  Cogle" — Mexican 
Taxes — Tomales  Calientes — Regular  Soldiers — Arrival  of  Gen.  Scott — Troops 
Embark  for  Vera  Cruz — Mexican  Ceremonies  of  Marriage  ts.  from  p.  394  to  436 

CHAPTER    XI. 

Operations  elsewhere  during  the  Winter — Gen.  Kearney's  Battles — Insurrection 
in  California — Insurrection  in  New  Mexico — Battle  of  Canada — Battle  of 
El  Emboda— Battle  of  Puebla  de  Taos— Killed  and  Wounded— Col.  Doni- 
phan's  Movements — Intercepted  Letters — Doniphan's  March  for  Chihuahua — 


I  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

PavagA  of  Jornada — Battle  of  Sacramento— Loss  of  the  Enemy — Chihuahua 
taken — Treaty  of  Chihuahua — Gen.  Taylor's  Operations — Surprise  and  Cap- 
ture of  Detachment  of  Kentucky  and  Arkansas  Cavalry  at  Encarnacion — 
Battle  of  Buena  Vista — Disposition  of  Troops  on  first  day  of  Battle— Sum- 
mons of  Santa  Anna — Taylor's  Reply — Battle  of  Feb.  22d — Repulse  of  Am- 
pudia**  Column — Attack  by  Gen.  Pacheco—  Retreat  of  2d  Indiana  Regiment 
— Plain  Statement  of  Causes,  and  Defence  of  the  same — Resistance  of  Gen. 
Pacheco's  Attack — Conduct  cf  2d  Illinois  Regiment — Action  of  the  Missis- 
sippi Regiment — Attack  on  the  Hacienda — Conduct  of  Kentucky  and  Ark- 
ansas Cavalry — Repulse  of  Gen.  Pacheco.— Repulse  of  Gen.  Minon's  Lan- 
cers—Final and  Concentrated  Attack  of  the  whole  Mexican  Army,  under  Gen. 
Perez — The  gallant  Repulse — Conduct  of  2d  "KenTuckyTIegiment — Of  3d  In- 
diana Regiment — Of  1st  Illinois  Regiment — Result  of  the  Battle — Killed  and 
Wounded  of  Mississippi,  Kentucky,  Illinois,  Indiana  and  Texas  Troops,  and 
Regulars — Retreat  of  Santa  Anna — Capture  of  Train  by  Urrea  and  Canales 
— Urrea's  Attack  on  2d  Ohio  Regiment,  Lieut  Col.  Irvin — His  Attack  on  the 
tame  Regiment,  Col.  Morgan — Attack  on  Major  Giddings'  Command — Ap- 
proach of  3d  Ohio,  CoL  Curtis— Retreat  of  Gen.  Urrea  .  .  .  from  p.  437  to  490 

CHAPTER    XII. 

Return  to  Gen.  Scott's  Army — Embarkation  of  Tennessee  Cavalry — Scenes  on 
board  the  Ship— Sea  Sickness— Getting  "  Under  Weigh  "—Amusements  at 
Sea— Flying  Fish— Sharks,  Porpoises,  &c.— Gale— Sight  of  Land— Renewal 
of  Storm— Sight  of  Vera  Cruz— Anchorage  at  Sacrificios  Island— Heavy  Can- 
nonading from  Castle— Visit  from  Harbor  master— Wrecks  during  Norther- 
Grand  Scenes— Landing  of  the  Regiment— Appearance  of  the  Beach— Sum- 
mons from  Gen.  Scott  to  Gen.  Morales  to  Surrender  the  City— Reply  of  Gen. 
Morales— Cannon— Mortars— Shells— Sand  Hills— Opening  of  Bombard- 
ment—Scenes by  Night—"  Musquito  Fleet"— Camp  at  Malibran— Slackening 
Fire  of  Batteries-City  on  Fire  after  Night— Naval  Battery— Mexican  Forts- 
Force  of  Shells— Their  Effect-Ruins  of  Malibran— Dead  from  Batteries- 
Grand  Scene  at  Night-Petition  of  Foreign  Consuls- -Answer  of  Gen.  Scott— 
Increased  Vigor  of  the  Bombardment— Battle  of  "Madeline  Bridge"— Offer 
irrender-Meeting  of  Commissioners-Cemetery-Scenes  within-Scenes 
tenes-Scene  of  Surrender  of  the  City  of  Vera  Cruz— Killed  and 
Bounded-Desolated  Appearance  of  the  city-Expedition  against  Alvarado- 

era  Cruz— Castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa from  p.  491  to  570 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

Energetic  Movements  of  Santa  Anna-His  vast  Estate-His  Haci^das-Na- 
,ona.Bndge-His  position  at  Cerro  Gordo-March  of  the  American  Army 
-Hi.          Cruz-Balll^o«nd  of  Cerro  Gordo-Gen.  Twiggs'  ' ' 
nr,i     M  "  ~    u  Shields' 


TABLE   OF  CONTENTS.  XJ 

ments,  Kentucky  Company  and  Regulars — Fruits  of  Victory — Surrender  of 
Jalapa,  Perote,  and  Puebla — Remarks  on  the  Battle — Appearance  of  Ground 
after  the  Battle — Blowing  up  Magazines,  burning  Arms,  spiking  Cannon, 
&c. — March  towards  Jalapa — Hacienda  of  Encerro — Beauty  of  Country — 
Mountain  of  Orizaba — Scenes  in  Jalapa — Marketplace — Variety  of  Climate — 
Abundance  of  Fruits — Beauty  of  Ladies — Procession  of  the  Host — Mexican 
Schools — Festival  of  Corpus  Christi,  or  "Holy  Week" — Property  of  the 
Government — Public  Washing-places — Fountains — Order  for  discharge  of 
Twelve  Months  Volunteers — Commencement  of  Return  March — A  nival  at 
New  Orleans — Regiments  disbanded from  p.  571  to  614 

APPENDIX. 

General  Scott's  Official  Account  of  the  Battles  of  Contreras,  Churubusco,  and 
Chapultepec,  and  of  the  subsequent  actions,  which  resulted  in  the  Capture  of 
the  City  of  Mexico from  p.  615  to  624 


LIST  OF  ENGRAVINGS. 

1.  Canal  in  Castle  of  St.  Juan  de  Ulloa Frontispiece. 

2.  Hills  of  Cerro  Gordo  and  Telegrafo " 

3.  Camp  Ringgold  ;  Tennessee  Regiment  of  Cavalry Opposite  page    44 

4.  Plan  of  Monterey "  "100 

5.  View  of  the  Ruins  of  Goliad ;  Scene  of  Fannin's  Massacre  .    .  "  "     150 

6.  Plan  of  Matamoras "  «      192 

7.  Victoria,  Camp  of  General  Patterson's  Division "  "     318 

8.  Cactus  Gigantea,  La  Palma  Bendita,  Sword  Palmetto,  &c.  .    .  "  "     386 

9.  Mount  Bernal,  Mexican  Atajo,  &c "  "     368 

10.  Mustang  Cavalry "  "      376 

11.  Maguey  Plant,  Rancho,  Dress  of  Mexican,  &c "  "     378 

12.  Ancient  Mexican  Idol "  "389 

13.  City  of  Tampico,  from  Fort  Andonega "  "     393 

14.  Mouth  of  Panuco  River,  from     Do "  "     393 

15.  Battle  Ground  of  Buena  Vista "  "     460 

16.  Ruins  of  Malibran,  near  Vera  Cruz "  "     528 

17.  Vera  Cruz,  and  Castle  of  St.  Juan  de  Ulloa,  during  the  Bombard.  "  "     536 

\8.  Twig  of  Musquit «  '•      553 

'9.  Gate  of  Mercy,  at  Vera  Cruz "  "     566 

20.  National  Bridge,  or  Puente  Nacional "  "      574 

21.  View  of  Battery  No.  2,  at  Cerro  Gordo "  «     580 

22.  Plan  of  the  Battle  Ground  of  Cerro  Gordo «  "586 

13.  Mountain  of  Orizaba «  "614 

Also;  A  FINE  MAP  OF  MEXICO  AND  CALIFORNIA,  expressly 
corrected  for  this  work. 


CAUS  ES 


COMMENCEMENT     OF    THE    WAR 


FOR  more  than  thirty  years  had  the  United  States  been  in 
a  situation  of  continual  peace  with  all  foreign  nations. 
Peace  being  the  true  policy  of  the  government,  the  tendency 
of  the  acts  of  each  successive  administration  has  been 
towards  preserving  that  state  with  all  mankind.  Small  con- 
tests, more  of  a  domestic  nature,  have  from  time  to  time  been 
carried  on  with  the  different  tribes  of  Indians  within  her 
limits ;  the  longest  continued  of  which  was  the  "  Florida 
war,"  with  the  tribe  of  Seminoles.  This,  though  long  pro- 
tracted, and  arduous,  from  the  nature  of  the  country  in  which 
it  was  carried  on,  was,  in  a  national  point  of  view,  but  of 
minor  importance  ;  the  same  is  true  of  the  other  Indian  wars. 
In  1835,  a  difficulty  appeared  about  to  be  brought  on  with 
France ;  but  the  war  cloud,  which  manifested  itself  on  the 
political  horizon,  was  dispersed,  and  vanished,  as  all  cause 
of  misapprehension  and  dispute  between  the  two  nations 
was  removed.  The  population  of  the  United  States,  during 
this  long  interval  of  peace,  increased  in  a  manner  unknown 
before  in  the  annals  of  the  world.  This  country  offered  a 
secure  and  happy  asylum  for  the  crowded  population  of 
Europe,  where,  often  the  most  untiring  industry,  and  the 
strictest  frugality  were  unavailing,  to  secure  to  the  poor 
mechanic,  or  the  small  farmer,  even  the  necessaries  of  life. 

(13) 


J4  CAUSES  AND  COMMENCEMENT 

These  crowded  in  thousands  to  our  shores,  where,  in  the 
busy  city,  continual  labor  was  to  be  found  by  them,  and 
where  their  industry  would  be  amply  rewarded ;  or,  where 
throughout  our  ample  domain,  on  the  vast,  rich  prairies,  the 
wooded  hills,  or  in  the  fertile  valleys,  still  uncultivated,  invit- 
ing the  hand  of  man  to  till  and  beautify  them,  lands  and 
homes  were  to  be  procured  almost  for  nothing ;  and,  settling 
upon  them,  soon  becoming  assimilated  with  our  customs  and 
laws,  were  changed  from  the  servile  subjects  of  monarchs,  to 
free  American  citizens. 

The  vast  wave  of  population  was  continually  rolling  to 
the  westward,  diverging  towards  the  north  and  the  south, 
until  the  whole  Mississippi  valley,  then  a  wilderness,  was 
rendered  the  abode  of  a  free  and  happy  population. 

With  the  increase  of  the  population  of  the  United  States 
the  increase  of  her  agriculture,  of  her  commerce,  and  of  her 
manufactures  also  kept  pace.  Her  agriculture  has  so  in- 
creased, and  such  is  the  vast  abundance  of  the  products  of 
the  soil,  that  she  has  the  present  year,  1847,  presented  to  the 
world  the  anomaly  of  a  nation  carrying  on  an  expensive 
war  of  invasion  ;  supporting  her  armies  in  a  foreign  country; 
abundantly  supplying  her  numerous  population  at  home, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  sending  bread  stuffs,  in  immense 
quantities,  to  feed  the  starving  population  of  the  Old  World. 
Her  commerce,  although  the  nation  is,  as  it  were,  only  of 
yesterday,  is  with  the  whole  world,  and  every  sea  is  whitened 
by  her  sails.  Her  great  lakes,  her  majestic  rivers,  are 
crowded  with  sail  and  steam  vessels ;  her  domestic  commerce, 
like  her  foreign,  has  been,  and  is  increasing  in  a  ratio  un- 
known before ;  and,  by  the  conveniences  and  rapidity  of  her 
numerous  modes  of  transportation,  distance,  over  her  vast 
territory,  may,  in  one  sense,  be  said  to  be  completely  anni- 
hilated. 

So,  too,  have  her  manufactures  increased  in  proportion  to 
her  agriculture  and  commerce ;  and  she  is  able,  even  now, 
to  compete  with  the  mother  country  in  foreign  markets,  and, 
in  many  articles  of  common  manufacture  to  each,  to  under- 
sell her. 


OF  THE  WAR.  15 

While  thus  prosperous  in  the  three  great  sources  of  wealth, 
her  people  have  not  been  oppressed  with  heavy  burdens,  to 
sustain  that  fabric  of  government  which  extends  to  them 
freedom  and  security.  That  government  which  has  proved 
the  best,  has  also  proved  the  cheapest.  While  the  older 
nations  are  ground  down,  by  enormous  taxation,  to  maintain 
huge,  unwieldy  systems  of  greater  or  less  despotism,  the 
taxes  upon  her  people  have  been  so  light  as  hardly  to  be 
known  or  felt ;  and  so  vast  are  her  resources,  that  even  by 
this  light  revenue,  other  nations  have,  with  astonishment, 
seen  her  paying  off  the  heavy  debts  that  hung  over  her  *at 
first ;  prosecuting  all  the  operations  of  government ;  support- 
ing her  army  and  navy,  the  means  of  her  defence,  and  at  the 
same  time  having  millions  of  surplus  revenue  on  hand,  for 
which  special  legislation  had  to  be  resorted  to,  in  order 
to  determine  what  should  be  done  with  it. 

A  republican  government,  which,  in  its  most  unfavorable 
form,  is,  to  the  great  European  monarchies,  an  object  of  appre- 
hension and  dislike,  so  prosperous  as  this,  and  advancing  with 
such  giant  strides  towards  the  position  of  the  first  nation  on 
the  earth,  could  not  fail  to  excite  in  those  powers  the  most 
lively  apprehension  of  evil  to  themselves,  from  her  growing 
power,  and  of  her  prosperity  exciting  in  the  minds  of  their 
subjects  a  disaffection  toward  their  own  governments.  And 
so  it  has  been  with  regard,  particularly,  to  the  governments 
of  France  and  Great  Britain.  Every  effort  that  could  be 
made,  save  open  war,  has  been  made  continually,  by  these 
powers,  to  restrain  and  confine  as  much  as  possible  the 
increasing  influence  of  this  country.  Texas,  once  a  province 
of  the  neighboring  Republic  of  Mexico,  having  revolted  from 
that  government  and  declared  her  independence,  and  having, 
by  the  decisive  battle  of  San  Jacinto,  fought  on  April  21st, 
1836,  firmly  established  that  independence,  continued  a  sepa- 
rate republic  for  ten  years,  when  it  was  annexed  to  the 
United  States,  by  mutual  agreement  of  the  two  governments 
and  the  people  of  both  republics.  Texas  ceased  to  exist  as 
a  separate  republic,  and  entered  the  Union  as  a  State  on  the 
19th  of  February,  1846,  previous  to  which  her  independence 


]f;  CAUSES  AND  COMMENCEMENT 

had  been  acknowledged,  not  only  by  the  United  States,  but 
also  by  Great  Britain  and  France.  Thia  act  of  annexing 
Texas  to  the  Union,  had  been  freely  discussed  in  both  coun- 
tries, for  some  time  previous  to  its  completion.  It  was  op- 
posed secretly  by  the  powers  of  France  and  Great  Britain,  and^ 
openly  by  the  Republic  of  Mexico ;  and  when,  on  the  1st  of 
March,  1845,  the  resolutions  providing  for  it  passed  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States,  they  were  followed,  in  five  days 
after,  by  a  formal  protest  against  the  action  of  Congress  in 
the  matter,  by  the  Mexican  minister  plenipotentiary,  Don 
Juan  N' Almonte,  at  Washington;  and  to  this  protest  he 
added  the  demand  of  his  credentials,  and  immediately  re- 
turned to  Mexico. 

The  government  of  that  country  also,  soon  after,  informed 
our  minister,  Mr.  Shannon,  that  all  intercourse  between  the 
two  nations  must  cease  on  the  28th  of  the  same  month,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  the  president  of  Mexico,  Herrera,  issued  his 
proclamation  to  the  governors  of  the  separate  departments 
of  Mexico,  calling  upon  them  to  assist  him  "in  repelling  the 
encroachments  of  the  United  States,"  as  he  termed  it ;  and, 
from  that  moment,  the  government  of  Mexico  was  bent  upon 
war.  On  the  5th  day  of  May  following,  the  president  of 
Texas  issued  a  proclamation,  calling  on  the  people  of  that 
republic  to  elect  sixty-one  deputies,  to  meet  at  Austin,  on  the 
ensuing  4th  of  July,  to  decide  upon  the  resolutions  as  they 
had  passed  the  United  States'  Congress ;  but  on  the  4th  day 
of  June  following,  he  issued  another  proclamation,  announc- 
ing to  the  people  of  Texas  that  the  Republic  of  Mexico  had 
acceded  to  the  propositions  that  had  before  been  made  by 
Texas,  the  substance  of  which  was,  that  Mexico  would  ac- 
knowledge her  independence,  provided  that  she,  Texas, 
should  not  annex  herself  to  any  other  power.  This  conces- 
sion of  Mexico  had  been  brought  about  through  the  ministers 
of  France  and  Great  Britain,  in  the  hope  of  preventing  the 
annexation ;  those  powers  preferring  to  see  Texas  a  sepa- 
rate, smaller  republic,  than,  by  her  annexation  to  the  United 
States,  to  increase  the  strength  of  that,  already  to  them,  too 
formidable  a  power.  But  it  was  now  too  late.  The  Texan 


OF   THE   WAR.  17 

Congress,  with  but  few  dissenting  voices,  on  the  18th  of  June, 
1845,  accepted  the  offer  held  out  by  the  United  States,  in 
which  they  were  seconded  by  the  convention  that  met  on  the 
4th  of  July  following.  When  it  was  seen  by  the  government 
of  Mexico  that  the  people  of  Texas  would  not  accept  her 
terms,  that  government  declared  its  determination  to  invade 
and  reconquer  the  country;  and  immediately  commenced 
forming  an  army  on  the  Rio  Grande.  Both  the  Congress 
and  the  convention  of  Texas,  upon  their  knowledge  of  this 
movement,  requested  of  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
to  which  then  by  their  acceptance  of  the  resolutions  the  coun- 
try was  virtually  annexed,  to  send  a  military  force  to  the 
western  frontier,  to  defend  her  from  the  threatened  danger. 
Accordingly  a  portion  of  the  army  of  the  United  States,  a 
force  of  1500  men,  under  General  Taylor,  in  August  1845, 
embarked  at  New  Orleans  and  proceeded  to  Texas,  with 
orders  to  take  a  position  between  the  Nueces  and  the  Rio 
Grande,  and  repel  any  invasion  of  the  Texan  territory  that 
might  be  attempted  by  the  Mexican  forces.  This  force  pro- 
ceeded to  St.  Joseph's  Island,  from  thence  to  the  little  town 
of  Corpus  Christi,  situated  on  the  main  land,  west  of  the 
Nueces  river,  and  not  far  from  its  mouth,  and  there  encamped, 
remaining  at  that  place,  without  molestation,  until  the  llth 
of  March,  1846.  The  Mexican  government,  in  the  meantime, 
continued  to  increase  and  strengthen  its  army  at  the  city  of 
Matamoras,  on  the  Rio  Grande,  one  hundred  and  eighty  miles 
to  the  east  of  south  of  Corpus  Christi ;  but  no  operations 
were  attempted  on  either  side.  At  the  same  time  that  Gene- 
ral Taylor  was  ordered  to  the  frontier  of  Texas,  the  Home 
squadron  of  the  navy,  under  Commodore  Conner,  was  ordered 
to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  to  be  ready  to  co-operate  with  him  in 
preventing  or  repelling  the  threatened  invasion. 

While  matters  stood  thus,  Mexico  having  terminated  all 
intercourse  betwreen  herself  and  the  United  States,  and  at 
the  same  time  employing  all  her  energies  in  collecting 
armies  on  her  northern  frontier,  with  the  avowed  purpose 
and  determination  to  invade  and  resubjugate  Texas,  and  on 
the  other  hand  our  small  but  gallant  army  and  portion  of  the 
2 


]g  CAUSES   AND  COMMENCEMENT 

navy  near,  patiently  awaiting  her  action,  the  government  of 
the  Upited  States,  hoping  yet  to  avert  from  both  countries 
the  evils  of  that  war  which  seemed  almost  inevitable,  again 
offered  the  olive  branch  of  peace  to  Mexico.  On  the  15th 
of  September  1845,  the  Consul  of  the  United  States  residing 
in  the  city  of  Mexico  was  directed  by  our  government  to  in- 
quire "  whether  the  Mexican  government  would  receive  an 
envoy  intrusted  with  full  powers  to  adjust  all  the  questions 
in  dispute  between  the  two  governments?"  This  question 
was  in  a  month  afterward  answered  in  the  affirmative  by  the 
Mexican  government,  accompanied  by  the  request  of  that 
government  that  our  naval  force  should  be  withdrawn  from 
their  coast  while  negociations  should  be  pending.  Upon  this 
answer  being  received,  the  naval  force  of  the  United  States 
was  immediately  withdrawn,  and  on  the  tenth  of  November 
Mr.  John  Slidell  was  appointed  minister  plenipotentiary  to 
the  Republic  of  Mexico,  vested  with  full  powers,  to  settle  all 
questions  of  dispute  between  the  two  nations,  and  once  more 
the  cloud  of  war  seemed  about  to  blow  over,  and  the  rela- 
tions of  peace  and  amity  between  the  two  nations  to  con- 
tinue undisturbed. 

But  the  Texas  question  was  not  the  only  cause  of  conten- 
tion and  dispute  between  the  two  countries.  Long  before 
this  arose,  a  continual  cause  of  complaint,  on  the  part  of 
the  United  States  against  Mexico,  had  existed,  and  been 
continued  for  many  years.  Shortly  after  Mexico  had  es- 
tablished her  independence  from  the  power  of  Spain,  an 
event  which  took  place  in  the  year  1821,  she  commenced 
a  series  of  spoliations  and  aggressions  upon  the  commerce 
of  the  United  States,  and  insults  to  its  flag.  Depredation 
by  her,  followed  depredation.  Remonstrance  by  the 
United  States,  followed  remonstrance  ;  but  still  the  spolia- 
tions continued.  In  the  language  of  the  message  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States  of  December  8th,  1846 : 
M  Our  citizens  engaged  in  lawful  commerce  were  imprisoned, 
their  vessels  seized  and  our  flag  insulted  in  her  ports.  If  mo- 
ney was  wanted,  the  lawless  seizure  and  confiscation  of  our 
merchant  vessels  and  their  cargoes,  was  a  ready  resource, 


OF   THE  WAR.  19 

and  if  to  accomplish  her  purposes  it  became  necessary  to  im- 
prison the  owners,  captains,  and  crews,  it  was  done.  Rulers 
superseded  rulers  in  Mexico  in  rapid  succession,  but  still 
there  was  no  change  in  this  system  of  depredation.  The 
government  of  the  United  States  made  repeated  reclamations 
on  behalf  of  its  citizens,  but  these  were  answered  by  the 
perpetration  of  new  outrages."  This  course  of  action,  so 
long  continued,  had  it  been  directed  towards  any  of  the  Eu- 
ropean powers,  would  have  brought  down  upon  her  with  little 
ceremony,  the  thunder  of  their  cannon.  But  the  United  States 
forbore ;  Mexico  was  a  sister  republic  of  the  same  conti- 
nent, and  professed  to  make  her  free  institutions  a  model 
for  herself.  Instead  of  retaliation  and  force,  a  treaty  of 
amity,  commerce  and  navigation,  was  on  the  5th  of  April, 
1831,  concluded  between  the  two  republics,  in  which  treaty 
the  rights  and  privileges  of  each  power  and  the  citizens 
thereof  were  so  clearly  laid  down,  that  there  could  be  no 
misunderstanding  with  regard  to,  and  no  excuse  for  the 
slightest  violation  of  them.  The  hope  and  the  belief  was  then 
entertained  by  the  government  of  the  United  States,  that  all 
these  depredations  were  ended.  But  this  hope  was  vain. 
Mexico  disregarding  the  solemn  faith  of  treaties,  the  com- 
mittal of  these  injuries  and  insults  ended  for  so  short  a 
period  as  to  leave  it  hardly  to  be  known  whether  for  any 
time  they  had  ceased  or  not.  Instead  of  decreasing  even, 
they  increased,  and  to  such  an  extent  that  President  Jackson, 
in  his  message  to  Congress  in  February,  1837,  presented 
them  to  the  consideration  of  that  body ;  and  declared  that 
"  the  length  of  time  since  some  of  the  injuries  had  been  com- 
mitted, the  repeated  and  unavailing  applications  for  redress, 
the  wanton  character  of  some  of  the  outrages  upon  the  pro- 
perty and  persons  of  our  citizens,  upon  the  affairs  and  flag  of 
the  United  States,  independent  of  recent  insults  to  this  go- 
vernment and  people  by  the  late  extraordinary  Mexican 
minister,  would  justify  in  the  eyes  of  all  nations  immediate 
war."  In  this  view  of  the  wrongs  suffered  from  Mexico,  the 
President  was  fully  sustained  by  the  committees  of  both 
bouses  of  Congress,  to  whom  the  message  was  referred.  But 


20  CAUSES  AlfD  COMMENCEMENT 

the  government  of  the  United  States  still  forbore,  and  took 
not  redress  in  their  own  hands,  but  dispatched  a  special 
messenger  to  Mexico,  who  on  the  20th  of  July,  1837,  made  a 
final  demand  for  redress.  On  the  29th  of  the  same  month 
an  answer  from  the  Mexican  government  was  returned,  bear- 
ing on  its  face  all  the  indications  of  fairness  and  candor.  It 
declared  that  it  was  the  anxious  wish  of  that  government, 
u  not  to  delay  the  moment  of  that  final  and  equitable  adjust- 
ment which  is  to  terminate  the  existing  difficulties  between 
the  two  governments  ;  that  nothing  should  be  left  undone 
which  may  contribute  to  the  most  speedy  and  equitable 
determination  of  the  subjects,  which  have  so  seriously  en- 
gaged the  attention  of  the  American  government ;  and  that, 
the  Mexican  government  would  adopt  as  the  only  guides  for 
it*  conduct,  the  plainest  principles  of  public  right,  the  sacred 
obligation  imposed  by  international  law,  and  the  religious 
faith  of  treaties,  and  that  whatever  reason  and  justice  may 
dictate  respecting  each  case  will  be  done/'  and,  "  moreover, 
that  the  decision  of  the  Mexican  government  upon  each 
cause  of  complaint,  for  which  redress  has  been  demanded, 
shall  be  communicated  to  the  government  of  the  United 
States  by  the  Mexican  minister  at  Washington." 

These  promises  were  fair,  but  the  object  in  making  them 
was  only  to  obtain  further  delay,  for  they  were  entirely  dis- 
regarded by  the  Mexican  government.  Five  months  after- 
ward the  Mexican  minister  informed  the  government  at 
Washington,  that  but  four  cases  had  been  examined  by  the 
Mexican  government,  and  but  one  of  those  had  been  favor- 
ably considered  !  This  manner  of  action  under  the  circum- 
ances,  and  after  the  solemn  promises  of  the  Mexican  go- 
vernment before  mentioned,  was  but  a  fresh  insult  and  an- 
mjury  to  the  government  and  people  of  the  United 
Mates,  added  to  the  long  l«t  of  those  that  had  been  given 
before. 

President  Van  Buren  immediately  communicated  the  in- 
>rmation  of  the  Mexican  minister  to  Congress,  and,  after 
marking  m  his  message,  that  «  the  larger  number  of  our 
lemands  for  redress,  many  of  them  aggravated  cases  of  per- 


OF  THE  WAR.  21 

sonal  wrong,  and  some  of  the  causes  of  national  complaint 
of  the  most  offensive  character,  had  been  for  years  before 
the  Mexican  government ;"  and  that,  also,  "  they  admitted  of 
immediate,  simple,  and  satisfactory  replies  ;"  and  he,  being 
folly  convinced  that  the  promises  of  Mexico  were  never 
intended  to  be  fulfilled  by  her,  went  on,  in  the  same  message, 
to  say :  "  On  a  careful  and  deliberate  examination  of  the 
contents  (i.  e.,  of  the  correspondence  of  the  Mexican  govern- 
ment), and  considering  the  spirit  manifested  by  the  Mexican 
government,  it  has  become  my  painful  duty  to  return  the 
subject,  as  it  now  stands,  to  Congress,  to  whom  it  belongs, 
to  decide  upon  the  time,  the  mode,  and  measure  of  redress." 
But  instead  of  taking  redress  into  their  own  hands,  the  go- 
vernment of  the  United  States  still  forbore,  and  entered  into 
a  new  negotiation  with  Mexico. 

This  negotiation  resulted  in  the  appointment  of  a  conven- 
tion, which  met  on  the  llth  of  April,  1839,  and  appointed 
joint  commissioners,  to  decide  upon  the  claims  for  indemni- 
fication presented  by  American  citizens.  This  appeared  fair 
enough ;  but  the  object  of  Mexico  afterwards  proved  to  be, 
what  before  it  had  always  been,  to  gain  time,  and  as  much 
as  possible  to  delay  and  postpone  any  redress  for  her  wrongs 
committed.  The  commissioners  met  a  little  more  than  a 
year  afterwards,  in  August,  1840  ;  Mexico  had  succeeded  in 
the  convention,  by  fair  promises,  in  limiting  the  time  of  action 
of  these  commissioners  upon  the  claims,  to  eighteen  months  ; 
a  time  sufficiently  long,  provided  the  parties  attended  to  the 
business  before  them  with  assiduity. 

But  there  was  not  the  slightest  reason  why  any  determi- 
nate time  should  have  been  appointed  for  their  deliberations. 
They  should  have  sat  from  day  to  day,  until  every  claim  had 
been  examined.  But  it  was  the  intention  of  Mexico,  while 
professing  to  act  with  the  utmost  candor,  to  prevent  all  the 
claims  that  she  possibly  could,  from  being  acted  upon  by  the 
commissioners  ;  thus  leaving  all  such  in  the  same  state  that 
they  had  been  for  many  years,  and  with  still  less  prospect 
of  settlement  than  ever  before.  In  this  manoeuvre  she  suc- 
ceeded well ;  for,  when  the  commissioners  met,  and  were 


22  CAUSES   AND  COMMENCEMENT 

ready  to  proceed  in  their  examinations  and  awards,  many 
frivolous  and  dilatory  points  were  raised  by  the  Mexican 
portion  of  the  commission,  in  the  discussion  of  which,  four 
months  of  the  eighteen,  were  passed  away  before  the  Ameri- 
can commissioners  could  have  the  first  case  brought  up;  and 
during  the  remaining  fourteen  months,  every  delay  possible 
was  made,  as  at  first.  The  claims  then  brought  forward  for 
indemnification  for  her  spoliations,  and  robbery  in  many 
cases  outright,  amounted  to  six  millions  and  nearly  three 
hundred  thousand  dollars.  Of  this  vast  amount,  less  than 
one-third,  that  is,  two  millions  and  twenty-six  thousand 
dollars,  were  fully  acted  on  and  awarded,  on  account  of  the 
expiration  of  the  time  set ;  leaving  one  million,  that  had  been 
awarded  by  the  American  commissioners,  but  not  decided 
by  the  umpire  ;  and  upwards  of  three  millions  three  hun- 
dred thousand  more,  that  had  not  been  taken  up  at  all,  in 
the  same  situation  as  before  the  commission ;  and  in  a  much 
more  unfavorable  condition  for  ever  being  acted  upon.  So 
much,  then,  had  Mexico  gained  by  the  same  course  of  du- 
plicity and  deceit  that  she  had  ever  pursued. 

That  such  was  the  motive  of  the  Mexican  government,  is 
proved  by  her  subsequent  conduct.  She  declared  to  the 
United  States,  that  it  would  be  inconvenient  to  her  to  pay 
then,  even  the  amount  that  had  been  awarded  against  her ; 
and  asked  for  more  time  in  which  to  make  the  payment. 
This  was  readily  assented  to,  by  the  government  of  the 
United  States,  ever  ready,  notwithstanding  the  continued 
cause  of  injury  that  had  been  received  at  the  hand  of  Mexico, 
to  extend  amity  and  accommodation  to  her.  A  new  conven- 
tion was  accordingly  entered  into  between  the  governments, 
which  bore  upon  its  face,  that  "this  new  arrangement  was 
entered  into  for  the  accommodation  of  Mexico."  This  con- 
vention altered  the  terms  of  payment,  making  them  easy  for 
Mexico  ;  and  in  order  to  settle  those  claims  left  undisposed 
of  before,  it  was  expressly  agreed  and  determined  that  an- 
other convention  should  be  entered  into  for  that  purpose. 

This  third  convention  was  entered  into,  and  signed  by  the 
ministers  of  the  two  nations,  on  November  20th,  1843,  and 


OF  THE   WAR.  23 

was  ratified  by  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  who  added 
two  amendments  to  it,  of  the  most  reasonable  character,  the 
more  effectually  to  bring  about  the  ostensible  desired  end  of 
both  parties, — the  final  decision  and  settlement  of  all  the 
claims.  Seizing  hold  of  these  amendments  as  a  pretext,  the 
government  of  Mexico  evaded  its  ratification,  from  time  to 
time,  until  the  present.  - 

But  even  this  was  not  all.  By  the  terms  of  the  second 
convention,  which,  as  said  before,  was  made  expressly  upon 
the  request  of  Mexico  to  give  her  more  time,  and  which  was 
done  freely  by  the  government  of  the  United  States,  she  was 
to  pay  the  interest  that  had  accrued,  up  to  that  time,  and  the 
principal  she  was  to  pay  in  twenty  installments,  during  five 
years.  She  paid  the  interest;  but  in  two  years  and  four 
months,  to  the  period  that  the  war  commenced,  she  had  paid 
but  the  three  first  installments,  out  of  all  that  had  fallen  due ; 
entirely  failing  and  refusing  to  pay  the  others. 

This,  then,  was  the  condition  of  affairs  during  the  summer 
of  1845,  when  war  seemed  inevitable  ;  but  the  prospect  of 
peace  brightened,  as  the  government  of  Mexico  agreed  to 
receive  from  the  United  States  a  minister,  "  with  full  power 
to  adjust  all  the  questions  between  the  two  governments." 
As  mentioned  before,  a  minister,  Mr.  John  Slidell,  was  ap- 
pointed on  the  10th  of  November,  with  such  powers.  He 
proceeded  to  Mexico,  arriving  at  Vera  Cruz  on  the  30th  of 
the  same  month,  and  went  on  to  the  city  of  Mexico  and  pre- 
sented his  credentials  ;  but  was  refused  reception,  even  after 
the  previous  agreement. 

Shortly  after  this  refusal,  the  existing  government  in 
Mexico  was  subverted,  and  General  Paredes  took  the  place 
of  Herrera,  as  president.  This  government  was  even  more 
bitter  against  the  United  States  than  the  former  ;  and  actively 
employed  itself  in  making  preparations  for  war.  Body  after 
body,  of  troops,  and  large  supplies  of  munitions  of  war,  were 
sent  to  the  northern  frontier. 

Two  months  after  his  first  application,  did  Mr.  Slidell,  by 
order  of  the  government  of  the  United  States,  on  the  1st  of 
March,  1846,  again  offer  his  credentials  and  ask  to  be  re- 


34  CAUSES   AND  COMMENCEMENT 

ceived  in  his  official  capacity.  The  reply  from  the  Mexican 
government  was  received  on  the  12th.  It  contained  a 
peremptory  refusal  to  receive  him,  except  in  an  inferior  capa- 
city. This  reply  was  written  in  a  manner  most  insulting  to 
the  government  and  people  of  the  United  States,  and  it  con- 
tained the  declaration  that  war  was  the  only  resource  of  the 
Mexican  Government.  Mr.  Slide!!  immediately  demanded 
his  passports,  and  shortly  after  returned  to  the  United  States. 

The  conduct  of  Mexico,  now  left  no  doubt  but  that  she 
was  determined  upon  war;  and  that  war  she  soon  after 
commenced.  In  three  weeks  from  the  time  of  the  rejection 
of  the  United  States'  Minister,  bearing  the  last  proposal  of 
peace,  the  Mexican  Government  issued  orders,  dated  April  4, 
to  General  Arista,  commanding  the  Mexican  army  on  the  Rio 
Grande,  to  attack  our  forces  under  General  Taylor,  "by 
every  means  which  war  permits."  A  few  days  afterwards, 
the  president  of  Mexico  addressed  a  letter  to  the  same  gene- 
ral, in  which  he  says :  "At  the  present  date,  I  suppose  you 
at  the  head  of  that  valiant  army,  either  fighting  already,  or 
preparing  for  the  operations  of  a  campaign;"  and,  "  suppos- 
ing you  already  on  the  theatre  of  operations,  and  with  all  the 
forces  assembled,  it  is  indispensable  that  hostilities  be  com- 
menced; yourself  taking  the  initiative  against  the  enemy."* 

The  plan  of  the  Mexican  government  was,  that  General 
Arista  should  attack,  and  overcome  the  small  army  under 
General  Taylor,  and  should  proceed  on  the  invasion  of  Texas; 
while  General  Paredes  followed  with  a  larger  army,  to  take 
possession  of  the  country.  But  the  Mexican  army  was  not 
destined  to  make  so  long  a  march,  for  on  the  9th,  10th  and 
llth  of  March,  1846,  General  Taylor  broke  up  his  camp  at 
Corpus  Christi,  and  marched  south  for  the  Rio  Grande,  in 
obedience  to  the  orders  of  the  War  Department.  He  was 
directed  "to  abstain  from  all  aggressive  acts  towards  Mexico 
or  Mexican  citizens,  and  to  regard  the  relations  of  the  two 
countries  as  peaceful,  unless  Mexico  should  declare  war,  or 
commit  acts  of  hostility  indicative  of  a  state  of  war."f 

•Arista's  correspondence,  captured  at  the  battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  May 
9th,  1846. 

fPreridcm's  Message,  December  8th,  1846. 


OF   THE  WAR.  25 

The  attitude  of  the  two  nations,  now  excited  the  greatest 
interest  among  the  citizens  of  each,  and  also  with  the  na- 
tions of  the  old  world.  With  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
a  spirit  of  indignation  prevailed,  and  thousands  upon  thou- 
sands began  to  prepare  for  the  approaching  conflict,  deter- 
mined, if  war  took  place,  to  rush  forward  as  citizen  soldiers  to 
sustain  our  army,  against  the  attacks  of  Mexico.  The 
excitement  grew  more  intense  with  regard  to  the  position  of 
affairs,  and  most  eagerly  was  every  word  of  information, 
from  the  army,  and  from  Mexico,  sought  after  and  quickly 
disseminated  among  the  vast  population.  Public  meetings 
were  held  throughout  the  country,  companies  of  soldiers 
raised,  and  their  services  in  many  instances,  offered  to  the 
Government  of  the  United  States,  in  advance  of  any  opera- 
tions of  actual  warfare;  for  all  saw  that  if  Mexico  persisted, 
it  must  come. 

General  Taylor  continued  his  march  toward  the  Rio  Grande, 
his  whole  force  amounting  to  upwards  of  3,000  men.  On 
the  18th  of  March  he  was  met  by  a  party  of  fifty  or  sixty 
Mexicans,  detached  by  the  Mexican  general  at  Matamoras, 
who  informed  him  that  he  must  proceed  no  farther  in  that 
direction.  This  was  unnoticed.  The  next  day  the  advance 
guard  arrived  on  the  banks  of  the  Sal  Colorado,  a  small 
river  running  east  through  this  section.  Here  was  posted 
a  body  of  Mexican  cavalry,  the  officer  commanding  which 
stated  that  he  had  positive  orders  to  fire  upon  the  army 
should  they  attempt  to  cross  this  stream,  and  that  he  should 
do  so.  The  army  encamped  that  night  on  the  northern 
bank,  and  on  the  next  morning  forded  the  stream ;  the  Mexi- 
cans, without  firing,  retreated.  The  army  continued  its 
march  from  day  to  day  towards  the  city  of  Matamoras,  until 
the  23d,  when  it  left  the  Matamoras  road  and  struck  off  to 
the  east  towards  Point  Isabel  on  the  coast.  General  Taylor 
was  while  on  the  march  to  this  place  met  by  a  civil  deputa- 
tion from  the  city  of  Matamoras,  now  but  a  few  miles  distant. 
This  deputation  of  about  forty  men  bore  to  him  from  Gene- 
ral Mejia,  a  protest  against  the  occupation  of  the  country 
adjoining  the  left  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande,  by  the  United 


2(j  CAUSES  AND  COMMENCEMENT 

States'  forces,  accompanied  with  threats,  if  General  Taylor 
persisted  in  so  doing.  This,  like  the  other  messages,  was 
unnoticed,  and  the  army  advanced  to  Point  Isabel,  where  the 
fleet  of  transports  from  Corpus  Christi,  conveying  stores,  &c. 
was  arriving  at  the  same  time.  The  Mexicans  there  fired 
their  buildings  and  retreated.  The  army  remained  there  a 
few  days,  and  establishing  a  depot,  threw  up  strong  and  effi- 
cient defences  around  it.  Leaving  a  small  force  under  the 
command  of  Major  Munroe,  to  garrison  and  defend  this 
point,  the  army  proceeded  to  the  Rio  Grande,  upon  the  bank 
of  which,  opposite  Matamoras,  it  arrived  on  Saturday  the 
28th  of  March.  The  Mexican  army  was  immediately  drawn 
out  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  in  long  and  imposing  col- 
umns, but  nothing  was  done  by  them  save  a  great  display  of 
martial  music,  drums,  fifes,  trumpets,  bugles,  &c. — which 
mode  of  salutation,  whatever  it  meant,  was  answered  in  the 
same  way,  by  all  the  trumpets  and  drums  in  the  American 
lines  ;  so  that  the  first  meeting  of  the  armies,  ended  in  noise. 
The  American  army  proceeded  quietly  to  encamp,  and  the 
Mexican  returned  into  the  city.  On  the  following  morn  in  g} 
Sunday  29th,  the  army  moved  round  a  long  elbow  or  bend  in 
the  river,  three  or  four  miles  down  along  the  bank,  but  not 
more  than  a  mile  and  a  half  in  a  direct  line,  and  encamped 
in  a  large  open  plain,  nearly  around  which,  by  another  bend 
the  river  ran.  This  spot  was  nearer  to,  and  commanded  a 
better  view  of  the  principal  part  of  the  city,  than  the  first.' 
The  Fort,  afterwards  called  "  Fort  Brown"  was,  upon  this 
plain,  and  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  immediately  laid  off  and 
commenced  with  vigor.  Seeing  this,  the  Mexican  forces 
were  also  set  to  work  throwing  up  counteracting  entrench- 
ments upon  the  other  bank  ;  one  opposite  ;  another  a  short 
distance  below,  and  a  third  in  the  bend  of  the  river  above  ; 
all  within  point  blank  range,  the  river  being  but  about  two 
hundred  yards  wide  ;  and  they  bore  upon  three  sides  of  the 
American  fortification  ;  two  of  them  being  much  higher  than 
that,  from  the  nature  of  the  ground.  To  these  they  also 
afterward  added  another,  on  the  American  side  and  above. 
No  communications  passed  for  several  days,  during  which 


OF    THE  WAR.  27 

time,  by  the  arduous  and  unremitting  labor  of  the  American 
army,  their  fort  was  brought  to  a  state  of  strength,  suffi- 
cient, it  was  calculated,  to  withstand  any  effort  that  might  be 
made  by  the  Mexican  army  to  reduce  it.  (See  Plan  of  Mata- 
moras,  page  192.) 

One  communication  had,  indeed,  been  endeavored  to  be 
made  by  General  Taylor,  by  directing  General  Worth  to 
cross  the  river  with  his  staff,  bearing  dispatches  for  the 
Mexican  General  Mejia,  and  others  for  the  consul  of  the 
United  States  there.  A  boat  was  after  some  delay  sent 
from  the  city  over  for  them,  and  General  La  Vega  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  Mexican  commander  to  confer  with  General 
Worth.  This  conference  however  resulted  in  no  effect,  and 
General  Worth  returned. 

(The  account  of  the  scenes  that  follow,  of  the  battles  of 
Palo  Alto,  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  the  bombardment  of  Fort 
Brown,  and  the  taking  of  the  city  of  Matamoras,  the  author 
quotes  from  "  Young's  History  of  Mexico,"  a  late  work  writ- 
ten with  ability  and  correctness.) 

"On  the  12th  of  April,  General  Pedro  de  Ampudia  form- 
ally announced  to  General  Taylor  that  if  he  did  not  break  up 
his  camp,  and  retire  beyond  the  Nueces,  within  twenty-four 
hours,  that  arms  and  arms  alone  must  decide  the  contest. 
The  reply  to  this  demand  was  a  peremptory  refusal,  and  a 
declaration  to  the  effect  that  the  American  flag  would  con- 
tinue to  float  on  the  shores  of  the  Rio  Grande  until  'eternity.' 
The  General  in  command  qualified  his  refusal  by  offering  to 
sign  an  armistice,  which  should  be  maintained  until  the 
parties  should  receive  instructions  from  their  respective  go- 
vernments. Ampudia  refused  to  accede  to  this  reasonable 
proposition,  and  proclaiming  his  intention  of  resorting  to 
force,  prepared  to  make  good  his  threats.  Shortly  after- 
wards General  Mariano  Arista,  the  commander-in-chief  of  the 
northern  division  of  the  Mexican  army  arrived  at  Matamoras, 
and  on  the  24th  inst.,  addressed  a  communication  to  General 
Taylor,  informing  him  that  '  he  considered  hostilities  com- 
menced and  should  prosecute  them.' 


2g  CAUSES  AND  COMMENCEMENT 

"On  the  same  day  Captain  Thornton,  with  a  party  of  dra- 
goons, sixty-three  in  number,  rank  and  file,  were  sent  up 
the  left  bank  of  the  river  to  reconnoitre  and  ascertain  whether 
the  enemy  had  crossed,  or  were  preparing  to  cross  the  stream. 
While  performing  this  duty  the  detachment,  on  the  morning 
of  the  25th,  encountered  a  division  of  Mexicans,  two  thou- 
sand in  number,  under  the  command  of  General  Torrejon. 
Forming  his  squadron,  Thornton,  though  surprised  in  a  dis- 
advantageous position,  charged  upon  the  enemy,  whose  great 
superiority  enabled  them  to  resist  the  onset  with  such  suc- 
cess that  the  party  were  compelled  to  surrender  as  prisoners 
of  war,  after  having  sustained  a  loss  of  sixteen  killed  and 
wounded  in  the  gallant  effort  to  extricate  themselves. 

"  On  the  26th  of  April,  General  Taylor  made  a  requisition 
upon  the  States  of  Texas  and  Louisiana  for  eight  regiments 
of  volunteers,  each  State  being  called  upon  to  furnish  four 
regiments.  The  demand  was  responded  to  with  enthusiasm; 
the  Governors  and  legislative  bodies  emulating  each  other 
in  their  eagerness  to  muster  and  equip  the  desired  levies 
within  the  shortest  possible  time.  Major  General  Gaines, 
commanding  the  western  division  of  the  U.  S.  army,  ac- 
tively co-operated  with  the  civil  authorities  in  raising, 
organizing,  and  transporting  the  Louisiana  troops  to  the 
seat  of  war.  The  whole  force  under  General  Taylor  at  this 
crisis,  cavalry,  infantry,  and  artillery,  did  not  exceed  three 
thousand  men.  As  it  was  evident  that  the  enemy  would  soon 
make  good  their  threats  by  invading  the  American  side  of 
the  river,  it  became  necessary  for  the  commander  to  act  with 
great  circumspection.  The  defences  which  had  been  erected 
after  an  approved  fashion,  under  his  own  eye,  were,  in  his 
opinion,  strong  enough  to  bid  defiance  to  the  assaults  of  the 
hostiles  should  they  attempt  to  carry  the  place ;  an  enter- 
prise scarcely  to  be  expected  from  even  the  veterans  under 
Arista.  In  order,  however,  to  put  the  fort  in  a  condition  to 
sustain  a  siege,  it  was  necessary  to  obtain  a  supply  of  pro- 
visions, the  commissariat  having  already  been  drawn  upon 
to  its  fullest  extent. 

"  On  the  1st  of  May,  Gen.  Taylor  left  his  position  oppo- 


OF   THE   WAR.  29 

site  Matamora?,  and  with  the  main  body  of  his  forces 
marched  toward  Point  Isabel,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Del 
Norte,  where,  as  has  been  stated,  he  had  established  a  depot 
of  arms  and  subsistence.  Contrary  to  his  expectations, 
he  reached  his  destination  on  the  following  day,  without 
meeting  a  single  adversary.  The  works  were  garrisoned  by 
the  7th  infantry  and  two  companies  of  artillery,  under  the 
command  of  Major  Brown.  The  Mexicans  had  fortified  the 
bank  of  the  river  by  erecting  batteries,  in  a  line  with  the  fort, 
which  frowned  upon  the  adverse  shore. 

"About  day -break  on  the  morning  of  the  3d,  the  garrison 
was  aroused  by  the  deafening  peal  of  the  hostile  ordnance; 
which  echoed  along  the  windings  of  the  stream,  proclaiming 
that  the  Aztec  eagle  was  about  to  encounter  the  bird  of  the 
north,  in  whose  capacious  maw  lay  buried  the  fair  province 
protected  by  its  outspread  wings.  The  fire  was  promptly 
returned  by  the  Americans,  whose  superior  skill  in  the  use 
of  their  guns  enabled  them  to  do  infinite  damage  to  the 
enemy.  The  bombardment  continued  several  days,  both 
parties  toiling  incessantly  at  the  engines  of  death.  Gene- 
ral Arista,  in  the  meantime  having  completed  his  prepara- 
tions, crossed  the  Rio  Grande  at  the  head  of  five  thousand 
regular  troops,  and  one  thousand  auxiliaries,  supported  by  a 
train  of  more  than  twelve  pieces  of  cannon.*  Arista  en- 
camped at  the  Tonquas  del  Ramireno,  in  rear  of  the  fort, 
and  on  the  6th  summoned  it  to  surrender,  threatening  to 
storm  it,  and  exterminate  its  defenders,  unless  his  demand 
was  complied  with,  allowing  them  one  hour  for  delibera- 
tion. As  a  matter  of  form,  a  council  of  war  was  called, 
which  decided  unanimously  in  the  negative  upon  the  propo- 
sals of  the  Mexican  leader.  The  latter,  as  if  determined 
to  carry  his  threats  into  execution,  turned  his  arms  against 
the  works,  thus  placing  the  garrison  between  two  fires. 
Encouraging  their  men  by  their  cheerful  and  intrepid  bear- 
ing, the  officers  of  the  division  plied  the  guns  day  and  night, 
and  with  the  energy  of  men  in  desperate  circumstances  la- 
bored to  finish  the  defences.  They  even  cut  up  their  tents 
*  Arista's  Dispatch  to  the  Minister  of  War  and  Marine. 


30  CAUSES  AND  COMMENCEMENT 

and  fashioned  them  into  sand-bags,  which  were  placed  so  as 
to  receive  the  enemy's  fire.  The  siege  had  continued  several 
days,  the  Americans  had  as  yet  lost  but  one  man,  who, 
strange  to  say,  had  first  been  wounded  badly,  and  placed  for 
safety  in  a  casemate,  when  a  shot  striking  him  upon  the 
head  instantly  killed  him  ! 

"On  the  morning  of  the  8th  of  May,  1846,  the  Mexican 
scouts  reported  the  advance  of  the  forces  under  Taylor,  accom- 
panied by  a  heavy  train  of  wagons,  loaded  with  supplies. 
Upon  the  reception  of  this  intelligence  Arista  marched  to- 
ward the  coast,  leaving  his  second  in  command,  Don  Pedro 
Ampudia,  in  charge  of  the  detachment  which  had  been  or- 
dered to  keep  the  garrison  from  attempting  a  junction  with 
the  main  body.  At  one  o'clock,  P.  M.,  Arista  arrived  near 
the  water-hole  of  Palo  Alto,  and  formed  his  line  of  battle 
in  an  extensive  plain,  with  his  right  wing  resting  upon  a 
woody  elevation ;  his  left  was  supported  by  a  quagmire, 
very  difficult  of  penetration.  The  cavalry,  which  composed 
one-third  of  his  army,  was  placed  upon  the  flanks  of  the  line 
thus  strongly  posted.  Twelve  pieces  of  ordnance  occupied 
the  intervals  between  the  cavalry  and  infantry.  General 
Taylor's  first  impulse,  when  he  heard  the  cannonading  at  the 
fort,  was  to  retrace  his  steps  without  delay  ;  but  as  the  guns 
of  the  besieged  continued  to  be  heard  in  answer  to  those  of 
the  assailants,  he  relied  with  confidence  upon  the  gallantry 
of  the  former,  and  resolved  to  complete  his  preparations.  In 
order,  however,  to  obtain  some  definite  information  of  the 
actual  condition  of  the  party  in  charge  of  the  works,  he  dis- 
patched Captain  Walker  of  the  Texan  Rangers  up  the  river 
for  that  purpose.  Walker  returned  on  the  5th,  and  reported 
that  there  was  scarcely  a  probability  of  the  Mexicans  being 
able  to  reduce  the  fort ;  stating  at  the  same  time  that  the 
country  between  the  two  places  was  alive  with  the  enemy's 
cavalry,  through  which  he  and  his  men  had  with  difficulty 
made  their  way  unobserved.  The  gallant  conduct  of  this 
officer  contributed  in  no  slight  degree  to  relieve  the  feelings 
of  the  different  divisions,  as  it  destroyed  that  sickening  un- 


:,-  OF   THE  WAR.  31 

certainty  which  is  common  to  those  engaged  in  operations 
at  a  distance  from  one  another. 

"  On  the  evening  of  the  7th,  the  American  commander  took 
up  the  line  of  march  for  his  former  camp,  at  the  head  of  two 
thousand  three  hundred  men,  cavalry,  infantry,  and  artillery; 
the  army  was  encumbered  with  a  heavy  train  of  wagons, 
which  somewhat  retarded  its  progress.  That  night  Taylor 
bivouacked  seven  miles  from  Point  Isabel,  and  on  the  follow- 
ing morning  resumed  his  march.  About  the  hour  of  noon, 
on  the  memorable  8th,  the  advance  squadrons  of  horse  which 
had  been  thrown  forward  reached  the  Palo  Alto,  and  discov- 
ered the  enemy  drawn  up  in  battle  array  upon  the  prairie, 
three  quarters  of  a  mile  distant.  In  a  short  time  the  main 
body  came  up,  and  the  General  ordered  a  halt,  that  the  men 
might  refresh  themselves  at  the  pool.  After  resting  an 
hour  or  so,  the  American  commander  proceeded  deliberately 
to  form  his  line  of  battle  as  follows,  commencing  on  the  right 
wing :  "  Fifth  infantry,  Colonel  Mclntosh ;  Ringgold's  artil- 
lery; third  infantry,  Captain  Morris  ;  two  eighteen  pounders, 
Lieutenant  Churchill ;  fourth  infantry,  Major  Allen ;  two 
squadrons  of  dragoons  under  Captains  Ker  and  May.  The 
left  wing  was  formed  of  a  battalion  of  artillery,  Colonel 
Childs  ;  Captain  Duncan's  light  artillery  ;  and  the  eighth  in- 
fantry, Captain  Montgomery.  Colonel  Twiggs  commanded 
the  right,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Belknap  the  left  of  the 
line."*  The  train  was  packed  in  the  rear,  protected  by  a 
sufficient  guard. 

"  At  two  o'clock  the  order  was  given  to  move  forward,  the 
several  corps  advancing  steadily  by  heads  of  columns,  the 
eighteen  pounders  keeping  the  road.  Lieutenant  Blake,  of 
the  topographical  engineers,  having  performed  a  skillful  re- 
connoissance  of  the  hostile  line,  now  reported  the  position 
of  the  enemy's  batteries.  As  the  columns  came  up  the 
Mexican  cannon  opened  upon  them  a  deafening  but  harmless 
fire.f 

*  General  Taylor's  Dispatches,  May  15th,  1846. 

j-  General  Ampudia  arrived  upon  the  scene  at  this  moment,  and  behaved  well  du- 
•ing  the  day. 


32  CAUSES  AND  COMMENCEMENT 

"Halting  his  divisions,  Taylor  ordered  them  to  deploy  into 
line,  an  evolution  which  they  performed  with  as  much  cool- 
ness as  if  they  had  been  upon  parade  ;  throwing  back  the 
8th  infantry  to  secure  his  left  flank,  the  General  placed  the 
light  batterj-  in  advance  ;  the  word  was  then  given  to  return 
the  adversaries'  fire  ;  it  was  promptly  obeyed  ;  the  eighteen 
pounders,  and  Ringgold's  admirable  corps  of  flying  artillery, 
poured  forth  a  deadly  stream  of  shot,  which  soon  forced  the 
cavalry  on  Arista's  left  to  fall  back. 

"  At  this  moment  Duncan's  battery,  supported  by  May's 
dragoons,  was  doing  equal  damage  on  the  right  flank.  In 
order  to  prevent  the  destruction  of  his  army,  Arista  deter- 
mined to  make  an  effort  to  silence  the  fatal  engines  which 
were  so  rapidly  vomiting  death  into  his  ranks.  The  greater 
part  of  the  Mexican  cavalry  had  been  posted  upon  their  left; 
they  were  mostly  lancers,  and  were  commanded  by  General 
Anastasio  Torrejon,  the  officer  who  had  captured  Thornton's 
party  during  the  preceding  month.  While  the  American 
ordance  was  sweeping  down  his  files,  Arista  ordered  Torre- 
jon to  charge  upon  Taylor's  right,  while  he  in  person  pro 
posed  to  advance  with  the  rest  of  his  lancers  and  the  main 
body  of  his  infantry,  upon  his  left  flank.  Torrejon,  supported 
by  two  field-pieces,  attempted  to  obey  the  order,  but  was 
met  and  repulsed  by  the  5th  infantry,  Walker's  volunteers, 
and  a  section  of  flying  artillery  under  Lieutenant  Ridgely, 
which  raked  the  lancers  as  they  retired,  after  this  bold,  but 
unsuccessful  movement.— The  General,  anticipating  a  re- 
newal of  the  attack,  now  strengthened  that  part  of  his  line 
with  the  3d  infantry.  The  long  grass  of  the  prairie  was  at 
this  crisis  accidentally  set  on  fire,  which  being  as  dry  as 
powder,  blazed  up  fiercely,  and  for  the  space  of  an  hour  the 
combatants  were  partially  hidden  from  each  other  by  the 
dense  volumes  of  smoke,  which  hung  like  a  curtain  between 
them,  for  the  time  at  least  preventing  the  work  of  death. 

"  Advancing  under  cover  of  the   smoke,   the   American 

s  now  occupied  the  position  lately  held  by  the  lancers 

the  quagmire.     When  the  enemy's  line  again  became 

visible,  the  contest  was  resumed  with  increased  ardor,  the 


OF   THE  WAR.  33 

eighteen  pounders,  flying  artillery,  and  light  battery,  making 
fearful  havoc  through  the  ranks  of  the  Mexicans,  whose  in- 
trepid bearing  was  the  'theme  of  universal  admiration' 
among  those  who  witnessed  their  gallant  behavior.  The 
blood  of  both  armies  had  now  become  heated ;  volley  followed 
volley  in  rapid  succession ;  the  air  was  filled  with  musket 
balls,  round  shot,  grape,  and  canister.  May's  squadron  being 
ordered  to  make  a  demonstration  upon  the  enemy's  flank, 
was  driven  back  with  loss  upon  the  main  body.  Maddened 
with  pain  and  excitement,  the  Mexican  soldiery  called  out 
to  their  General  either  to  advance  or  retreat,  so  that  the  bat- 
tle might  be  lost  or  won,  and  not  prolonged  until  the  artillery 
had  entirely  destroyed  them.*  Arista,  in  the  hope  of  quiet- 
ing the  impatience  of  his  men,  who  were  leaving  their  ranks, 
sent  forward  a  division  of  lancers,  under  Colonel  Cayetano 
Montero,  to  attack  the  right  wing,  from  whence  issued  the 
most  destructive  fire.  The  cavalry  were  met  by  a  battalion 
of  artillery,  which,  forming  in  square,  received  them  with 
the  bayonet ;  at  the  same  moment  the  eighteen  pounders 
opened  a  deadly  discharge  of  canister,  which  forced  the 
former  to  retire  in  disorder  beyond  the  reach  of  the  cannon. 
Their  retreat  was  covered  by  a  sharp  fire  of  musketry  from 
the  Mexican  lines  ;  a  few  rounds  from  the  ordnance  soon  si- 
lenced even  this  feeble  effort  upon  the  part  of  Arista  to 
maintain  his  position.  The  Mexicans  were  driven  back 
in  the  same  manner  upon  their  right  by  the  8th  infantry, 
Ker's  dragoons,  and  Duncan's  artillery.  The  shadows  of 
night  were  now  gathering  upon  the  field,  the  roar  of  the  bat- 
tle, the  fierce  shouts,  and  the  clash  of  arms  gradually  ceased; 
and  as  the  stars  came  forth  and  mingled  their  radiance  with 
the  light  of  the  waning  moon,  the  groans  of  the  wounded 
arid  dying  were  borne  upon  the  wind,  and  filled  the  air  with 
mournful  sounds. 

"  The  enemy  driven  from  his  position,  had  retired  a  short 
distance  to  the  rear,  and  occupied  the  chapparal  with  his 
shattered  battalions,  having  lost  in  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing,  five  hundred  men.  The  American  force  actually 

*  Arista's  Dispatch  to  Tornel,  May  the  8th,  11  P.  M.,  1846. 


34  CAUSES  AND  COMMENCEMENT 

engaged  during  the  day,  was  two  thousand  two  hundred  and 
eighty-eight  men,  who  lost  nine  killed,  fifty-four  wounded, 
and  two  missing.  Among  those  mortally  wounded  was 
Major  Ringgold,  one  of  the  bravest  and  most  meritorious  of- 
ficers in  the  service.  The  number  of  shot  thrown  during  the 
day,  according  to  Arista's  account,  from  the  American  can- 
non, was  over  thr%e  thousand,  while  the  Mexicans  fired  but 
six  hundred  and  fifty  rounds  from  their  twelve  pieces  used  in 

the  action. 

"  The  weary  soldiers,  exhausted  with  their  bloody  work, 
bivouacked  upon  the  field,  and  throwing  themselves  on  the 
ground,  reposed  upon  their  arms  until  morning,  lulled  to 
sleep  by  the  melancholy  howl  of  troops  of  wolves,  which 
scenting  the  carnage  afar  off,  approached  the  fatal  spot. 

"  From  camp  to  camp,  through  the  foul  womb  of  night 
The  hum  of  either  army  stilly  sounds, 
That  the  fixed  sentinels  almost  receive 
The  secret  whispers  of  each  other's  watch ; 
Fire  answers  fire ;  and  through  their  paly  flames 
Each  battle  sees  the  other's   umber'd  face ; 
Steed  threatens  steed  in  high  and  boastful  neigh, 
Piercing  the  night's  dull  ear." 

"At  the  dawn  of  day  on  the  following  morning,  the  Mexi- 
can army  was  descried  retreating  through  the  wood  toward 
the  Del  Norte,  following  the  road  to  Matamoras.  Sending 
his  wounded  back  to  Point  Isabel,  and  leaving  a  detachment} 
with  four  pieces  of  artillery,  to  guard  the  supply  train  at 
Palo  Alto,  the  commander-in-chief  ordered  his  columns  to 
advance  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy;  at  the  same  time  throwing 
forward  a  strong  party,  with  instructions  to  explore  the 
chapparal  and  ascertain  the  position  of  the  Mexican  force. 
At  three  in  the  afternoon,  Taylor  received  information  that 
Arista  was  posted  directly  in  front,  on  the  road,  which  was 
intersected  at  that  point  by  a  ravine,  which  was  skirted  by 
dense  thickets  of  undergrowth.  The  flying  artillery,  under 
Lieutenant  Ridgely,  advanced  up  the  road,  covered  by  several 
regiments  of  infantry,  which  were  extended  into  the  woods 
upon  the  right  and  left  flanks ;  the  cavalry  was  held  in  re- 


OF   THE  WAR.  35 

serve,  together  with  the  8th  infantry,  in  the  rear.  Pushing 
onward  through  the  chapparal,  the  divisions  soon  came 
within  range  of  the  hostile  cannon.  About  four  o'clock  the 
action  commenced,  the  enemy  opening  a  vigorous  fire  from 
eight  pieces  of  artillery,  which  commanded  the  pass.  The 
fire  was  returned  with  equal  energy,  and  in  a  few  moments 
the  engagement  became  general ;  the  infantry,  upon  the 
wings,  and  the  battery  in  the  centre,  pouring  in  volley  after 
volley,  in  rapid  succession,  which  told  fearfully  among  the 
serried  ranks  in  front,  who,  unable  to  bear  the  shock,  were 
forced  to  retire  behind  their  guns. 

"  The  Mexican  cannon,  under  the  charge  of  generals  La 
Vega  and  Requena,  was  well  served,  and  kept  up  an  inces- 
sant discharge  upon  the  advancing  columns,  which  had 
already  suffered  considerably.  It  became  necessary,  there- 
fore, to  silence  them,  at  all  hazards,  and  Captain  May  was 
ordered  to  charge  the  battery  with  his  squadron  of  cavalry; 
a  perilous,  and  difficult  feat,  which  was,  nevertheless,  success- 
fully performed,  the  Mexicans  retiring  before  the  impetuous 
onset  of  the  horsemen ;  the  guns  were  silenced,  and  General 
La  Vega,  who  had  remained  at  his  post,  was  taken  prisoner. 
Not  being  supported  by  the  infantry,  May  did  not  retain 
possession  of  the  guns,  but  fell  back  upon  the  main  body. 
The  8th  infantry,  which  had  been  held  as  a  corps  de  reserve, 
had  been  ordered  up,  and  was  now  hotly  engaged  with  the 
prolongation  of  the  Mexican  left,  on  the  right  of  the  road ; 
being  reinforced  by  a  part  of  the  5th,  the  division  was  now 
ordered  to  charge  the  batteries  with  the  bayonet,  which  was 
executed  with  admirable  coolness  and  courage,  the  Mexicans 
retreating,  leaving  their  artillery  behind,  in  their  haste  to 
escape  from  the  forest  of  steel  which  threatened  to  pierce 
their  ranks.  While  rushing  on  to  the  hostile  line,  several 
wounded  Mexicans  were  seen  lying  in  their  path,  who  called 
out  to  them,  in  the  extremity  of  despair,  for  water  ;  in  an 
instant  the  poor  wretches  were  deluged  with  the  grateful 
element,  every  soldier  within  hearing  placing  the  contents 
of  his  canteen  and  haversack  at  their  disposal.  In  the  mean- 
time, the  4th  infantry,  in  conjunction  with  the  light  com- 


30  CAUSES  AND  COMMENCEMENT 

panics  of  the  firet  brigade,  and  the  3d  regiment,  which  had 
deployed  into  the  wood  on  the  right,  were  busily  engaged 
with  Arista's  veterans,  who  resisted  the  efforts  made  to  dis- 
lodge them,  for  a  considerable  time,  with  success.  In  several 
parts  of  the  field  the  adversaries  fought  hand  to  hand,  each 
determined,  if  possible,  to  maintain  their  ground.  A  party 
of  the  4th  regiment  having  captured  a  battery  of  one  piece 
posted  upon  the  right  of  the  road,  Arista  sent  a  strong  divi- 
sion to  recover  it;  they  were  met  by  a  company  under  Cap- 
tain Barbour,  who,  after  a  brief  struggle,  repelled  them  with 
loss.*  This  was  the  last  effort  made  by  the  Mexican  leader 
to  regain  his  lost  ground.  Driven  from  his  position  upon 
both  wings,  and  in  the  centre,  his  broken  columns,  unable  to 
bear  the  fire,  which,  with  untiring  energy  was  poured  into 
their  lines,  lost  all  hope,  and  retreated  precipitately  from  the 
field,  leaving  even  the  meagre  repast,  then  preparing  in  their 
camp,  to  be  eaten  by  the  Americans.  The  rear-guard,  which 
had  been  left  in  charge  of  the  baggage  train,  was  imme- 
diately ordered  up  in  pursuit  of  the  flying  foe,  who  had 
taken  the  road  to  Matamoras,  followed  by  a  squadron  of 
dragoons  and  the  other  corps ;  they  fled  rapidly,  many  of  their 
number  yielding  themselves  prisoners  of  war.  In  passing 

*  "  The  following  interesting  account  of  the  capture  of  this  piece  of  ordnance  is 
extracted  from  a  detailed  description  of  the  actions  of  the  8th  and  9th  of  May,  which 
waa  written  by  the  late  gallant  and  unfortunate  Lieutenant  John  A.  Richey,  of  the  4th 
regiment  United  States'  Infantry :  <  A  short  time  after  the  battle  began,  several  of  us 
became  separated  from  our  command  in  the  brush,  and  started  forward  with  the  few 
men  we  could  collect  at  the  moment  to  take  a  battery  of  the  Mexicans  that  was  blazing 
away  at  us.  We  dashed  forward  into  the  ravine,  across  the  stream  which  ran  through 
it,  and,  clambering  up  the  opposite  bank,  rushed  across  the  openings  of  the  chapparal 
toward  the  battery.  While  passing  through  the  woods  I  got  separated,  for  about  ten 
minute*,  from  lieutenants  Woods  and  Hays;  when  I  rejoined  them  they  had  cap- 
tured the  cannon ;  they  had  dashed  onward  upon  the  enemy  attended  by  only  one 
man  !  The  cannoneers  immediately  turned  and  fled ;  before  doing  so  they  had  set 
fire  to  the  priming  tube,  the  gun  being  loaded  ;  the  match  was  burning  slowly,  and 
WM  about  to  ignite  the  powder,  when  Lieutenant  Woods  knocked  the  priming  off 
with  his  iword.  In  I  he  meantime  some  Mexicans  ran  to  the  mules,  attached  to  the 
piece  by  a  long  pole,  and  endeavored  to  drag  it  off;  Hays  perceiving  their  intention, 
•prang  forward,  and  mapped  hia  pistol  at  them;  at  the  same  moment  Woods  caught 
hold  of  the  driving  reins,  and  turned  the  mules  round  toward  the  gun.  By  this  time 
our  party  was  reinforced,  and  moved  forward  along  the  road,  firing  all  the  time,  and 


OF  THE  WAR.  37 

the  walls  of  the  fort,  which,  three  days  before,  he  had  so 
arrogantly  summoned  to  surrender,  Arista  was  saluted  by  a 
discharge  from  the  guns  of  the  garrison,  which  caused  his 
panic-stricken  troops  to  rush  heedlessly  forward.  In  their 
eagerness  to  escape,  hundreds  of  the  poor  fellows  found  a 
last  resting-place  beneath  the  turbid  waters  of  the  Rio  Bravo. 
"  The  American  army  encamped  for  the  night  on  the  hard- 
won  field  of  battle ;  a  favor  purchased  with  the  lives  of  many 
brave  and  gallant  men.  The  marching  force  under  General 
Taylor,  on  the  9th,  was  not  more  than  two  thousand  two 
hundred  and  twenty-two,  rank  and  file.  The  number  of 
troops  actually  engaged  was  about  seventeen  hundred.* 
The  American  loss  was  three  officers  killed  and  twelve 
wounded;  thirty-six  privates  killed  and  seventy-one  wounded. 
The  Mexican  army  was  estimated  at  six  thousand  men, 
Arista  having  called  in  the  parties  of  cavalry  and  infantry 
which  had  been  posted  between  the  Palo  Alto  and  the  fort 
opposite  Matamoras,  a  few  hours  before  his  last  desperate 
stand  at  Resaca  de  la  Palma.  The  Mexican  loss  in  killed 
was  certainly  two  hundred,  as  that  number  was  left  upon 
the  field ;  his  wounded  was  double  that  number ;  making  an 
aggregate  loss  in  both  battles,  if  we  include  the  missing  and 

driving  the  enemy  before  us.  We  proceeded  on  in  this  way  with  about  twenty  men. 
Woods  now  separated  from  us,  and  we  were  joined  by  lieutenants  Augur  and  Coch- 
rane,  both  of  the  4th.  Our  little  party  was  composed  of  men  belonging  to  every  regi- 
ment in  the  army.  We  advanced  a  great  distance  in  front  of  the  main  body,  and 
were  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  the  Mexicans,  who  were  firing  in  every  direction  at 
other  bodies  of  troops.  At  this  instant  a  large  party  of  lancers  came  charging  down 
upon  us ;  some  of  our  guns  were  loaded,  some  were  not ;  our  bayonets  were  unfixed. 
We  ordered  our  men  to  retreat.  As  we  were  falling  back  we  saw  a  small  detach- 
ment, under  the  command  of  Captain  Harbour,  coming  up ;  we  shouted  to  him  to 
come  quickly,  and  hurried  down  to  meet  him.  We  reached  him,  and  turned  off  into 
a  little  opening,  and  faced  the  road.  As  the  lancers  charged  past  us,  we  fired,  and 
killed  several  of  them ;  the  rest  ran  away,  and  were  again  fired  upon  by  us.  A  great 
many  gallant  deeds  were  performed  on  this  day  by  the  officers  and  men.  Lieutenant 
Cochrane  was  killed  in  the  charge  of  the  lancers  upon  our  party ;  he  received  three 
severe  wounds.'  Lieutenant  Richey  was  himself  much  exposed  during  the  day,  and 
behaved  in  such  a  manner  as  to  merit  the  approbation  of  his  superiors  in  rank,  and 
the  esteem  of  his  numerous  friends  in  the  army.  He  has  been  described  by  a  brother 
officer  as  a  '  mild,  modest,  unassuming  young  man,  but  a  lion  in  battle/  " 
*  General  Taylor's  Dispatch,  May  17th,  1846. 


38  CAUSES  AND  COMMENCEMENT 

prisoners,  of  more  than  twelve  hundred  men.  In  the  Mexi- 
can camp  were  found  a  large  quantity  of  baggage  and  mili- 
tary stores,  several  hundred  pack  mules,  and  General  Arista's 
private  effects  ;  among  which  was  discovered  his  official  cor- 
respondence with  his  government,  a  number  of  plans,  maps, 
and  other  documents  of  importance, — the  enemy,  in  their 
eagerness  to  save  themselves,  had,  in  fact,  left  every  thing 
behind  them.*  The  number  of  prisoners  captured  was  one 
hundred  and  seventy,  including  fourteen  officers. 

"  The  courage  with  which  the  Mexicans  fought  in  both  ac- 
tions was  worthy  of  the  days  of  chivalry,  and  redeemed  the 
reputation  of  the  whole  nation.  One  division  particularly 
distinguished  itself;  this  was  the  battalion  of  Tampico,  a 
corps  which  resisted  the  advance  of  the  adverse  line  in  the 
face  of  a  galling  fire,  nor  yielded  a  foot  of  ground  until 
nearly  every  man  was  cut  down,  or  swept  away  by  the  mur- 
derous discharge  of  the  artillery .f  On  the  morning  of  the 
10th  of  May,  the  victors  gathered  up  the  enemy's  dead  and 
deposited  them,  with  the  remains  of  their  own  comrades,  be- 
neath the  sod  their  united  valor  had  consecrated.  The 
wounded  of  both  armies  were  treated  with  equal  care ;  they 
both  received  the  same  attention  from  the  medical  staff. 
The  humanity  displayed  by  the  officers  and  men  toward  the 
vanquished  adds  much  to  their  renown,  and  sheds  a  bright 
ray  of  glory  upon  the  victories  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de 
la  Palma. 

"The  army, on  the  same  day,  moved  forward  and  encamped 
near  the  fort,  which,  in  honor  of  its  gallant  commander,  who 
had  been  wounded  early  in  the  siege,  and  had  died  on  the 

*  "  A  magnificent  pavilion  and  several  pieces  of  massive  plate  were  among  the  arti- 
cles. Arista's  wardrobe  and  personal  effects  were  returned  to  him." 

f  «  The  bravest  men  in  the  Mexican  army  were  those  who  belonged  to  the  Tampico 
battalion  ;  they  stood  the  destructive  fire  of  the  artillery  with  remarkable  firmness,  and 
when  the  order  was  given  to  retreat,  but  fifty  of  them  remained  alive.  A  member  of 
this  gallant  corps,  anxious  to  preserve  the  honor  of  his  battalion,  tore  the  colors  under 
which  they  fought  from  its  staff,  and  concealed  it  about  his  person.  As  he  was  re- 
treating, he  was  attacked  by  an  American,  who,  after  a  desperate  combat,  killed  the 
heroic  Mexican  and  secured  the  trophy,  now  moistened  with  the  blood  of  the  bravest 
of  its  defenders.  It  is  a  fortunate  circumstance  that  there  are  not  many  such  spirits  in 
the  Mexican  army." 


OF  THE  WAR.  39 

9th,  was  called  Fort  Brown.  The  loss  sustained  by  the  gar- 
rison during  the  bombardment,  was  two  killed  and  ten  slightly 
wounded ;  such  was  the  admirable  arrangement  of  the  de- 
fences, that  although  the  enemy  were  constantly  throwing 
round  shot  and  shell  into  the  works,  they  scarcely  made  an 
impression  upon  them.  The  enemy  had  five  mortars  posted 
on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river,  and  it  was  estimated  by 
the  besieged  that  they  threw,  during  the  seven  days  occu- 
pied in  attempting  to  reduce  the  fort,  more  than  three  thou- 
sand heavy  missiles  of  various  kinds. 

"On  the  17th, General  Taylor  having  procured  the  ordnance 
(two  mortars)  necessary  to  reduce  the  town  of  Matamoras, 
issued  an  order  for  crossing  the  river  a  short  distance  above. 
He  had  previously  sent  Lieutenant  Colonel  Wilson  with  a 
battalion  of  regulars  and  two  hundred  volunteers  to  the  op- 
posite side  to  make  a  diversion  by  the  way  of  Barrita,  a  small 
town  between  the  coast  and  the  city.  As  the  army  were 
preparing  to  pass  the  stream  under  cover  of  the  fort,  Gene- 
ral Requena  arrived  in  the  camp  and  requested  a  conference, 
and  proposed  in  the  name  of  Arista,  to  sign  an  armistice  un- 
til the  respective  governments  should  decide  upon  the  ques- 
tions at  issue.  The  American  commander  peremptorily  re- 
fused to  treat  upon  the  subject,  inasmuch  as  he  had  proposed 
a  suspension  of  hostilities  a  month  before  to  General  Am- 
pudia,  but  that  circumstances  had  changed  since  that  time ; 
that  he  had  received  strong  reinforcements,  and  that,  as  he 
had  not  begun  or  provoked  the  war,  he  would  not  now  sus- 
pend his  operations,  but  that  Matamoras  must  be  taken.  At 
the  same  time,  he  informed  Requena  that  General  Arista 
was  at  perfect  liberty  to  evacuate  the  town  with  his  troops, 
provided  he  left  the  public  property  in  the  place. 

"  Requena  thereupon  withdrew,  promising  to  return  an  an- 
swer during  the  afternoon.  The  expected  reply  never  came, 
and  that  night  Arista,  who  had  still  a  force  of  between  three 
and  four  thousand  troops  of  the  line,  besides  a  strong  body 
of  ranchero  cavalry,  fled  from  the  town  and  took  the  road  to 
Monterey.  On  the  18th,  the  army  of  occupation  crossed  the 
stream,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  stars  and  stripes  were 


40  CAUSES  AND  COMMENCEMENT 

floating  on  the  Mexican  side  of  the  Rio  Grande.  As  its  folds 
were  flung  to  the  breeze,  a  deafening  shout  broke  from  the 
different  corps,  who  now  felt  that  the  long-delayed  hour  of 
triumph  had  arrived.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Garland  was  dis- 
patched at  the  head  of  a  division  of  cavalry  in  pursuit  of 
the  fugitive  Mexicans;  this  officer  followed  them  about  sixty 
miles,  and  returned  on  the  22d,  after  having  captured  a  small 
party  of  the  enemy."—  Young's  Hist.,  pp.  343—359. 

When  the  tidings  of  these  events  reached  the  United 
States,  a  burst  of  feeling  and  enthusiasm  ran  like  wild-fire 
throughout  the  Union.  Congress  was  in  session,  and  upon  the 
official  notification  of  the  state  of  affairs,  by  the  message  of 
the  President  of  May  llth,  immediately  passed  the  "  War 
bill"  the  provisions  of  which  were  as  follow : 
"As  ACT  providing  for  the  prosecution  of  the  existing  war  between  the 

United  States  and  the  Republic  of  Mexico. 

M  Whereas,  by  the  act  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  a  state  of  war  exists 
between  that  government  and  the  United  States  : 

"  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  Assembled,  That  for  the 
purpose  of  enabling  the  Government  of  the  United  States  to  prosecute 
said  war  to  a  speedy  and  successful  termination,  the  President  be  and 
he  is  hereby  authorized  to  employ  the  militia,  naval,  and  military 
forces  of  the  United  States,  and  to  call  for,  and  accept  the  services  of 
any  number  of  volunteers,  not  exceeding  fifty  thousand,  who  may  offer 
their  services,  as  cavalry,  artillery,  infantry,  or  riflemen,  to  serve 
twelve  months  after  they  shall  have  arrived  at  the  place  of  rendezvous, 
or  to  the  end  of  the  war,  unless  sooner  discharged,  according  to  the 
time  for  which  they  shall  have  been  mustered  into  service  ;  and  that 
the  sum  of  ten  millions  of  dollars  out  of  any  money  in  the  Treasury, 
or  to  come  into  the  Treasury,  not  otherwise  appropriated  be,  and  the 
name  is  hereby  appropriated,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  the  provisions 
of  this  act  into  effect. 

"  Sec.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  militia,  when  called 
into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  by  virtue  of  this  act,  or  any  other 
act,  may,  if  in  the  opinion  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  the 
public  interest  requires  it,  be  compelled  to  serve  a  term  not  exceeding 
rix  months  after  their  arrival  at  the  place  of  rendezvous,  in  any  one 
year,  unless  sooner  discharged. 


OF  THE  WAR.  41 

"  Sec.  3.  And  $e,  it  further  enacted,  That  the  said  volunteers  shall 
furnish  their  own  clothes,  and,  if  cavalry,  their  own  horses  ;  and, 
when  mustered  into  service,  shall  be  armed  at  the  expense  of  the 
United  States. 

"  Sec.  4.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  said  volunteers,  when 
called  into  actual  service,  and  while  remaining  therein,  be  subject  to 
the  rules  and  articles  of  war,  and  shall  be,  in  all  respects,  except  as  to 
clothing  and  pay,  placed  on  the  same  footing  with  similar  corps  of  the 
United  States'  army  ;  and,  in  lieu  of  clothing,  every  non-commissioned 
officer  and  private  in  any  company  who  may  thus  offer  himself,  shall 
be  entitled,  when  called  into  actual  service,  to  receive  in  money  a  sum 
equal  to  the  cost  of  clothing  of  a  non-commissioned  officer  or  private 
(as  the  case  may  be)  in  the  regular  troops  of  the  United  States. 

"  Sec.  5.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  said  volunteers  so  of- 
fering their  services  shall  be  accepted  by  the  President  in  companies, 
battalions,  squadrons,  and  regiments,  whose  officers  shall  be  appointed 
in  the  manner  prescribed  by  law  in  the  several  States  and  Territories 
to  which  such  companies,  battalions,  squadrons  and  regiments  shall  re- 
spectively belong. 

"  Sec.  6.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  President  of  the 
United  States  be  and  he  is  hereby  authorized,  to  organize  companies 
so  tendering  their  services  into  battalions  or  squadrons;  battalions  and 
squadrons  into  regiments ;  regiments  into  brigades,  and  brigades  into 
divisions,  as  soon  as  the  number  of  volunteers  shall  render  such  or- 
ganization, in  his  judgment,  expedient ;  and  the  President  shall,  if  ne- 
cessary apportion  the  staff,  field  and  general  officers  among  the  re- 
spective States  and  Territories  from  which  the  volunteers  shall  tender 
their  services,  as  he  may  deem  proper. 

"  Sec.  7.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  volunteers  who  may 
be  received  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  by  virtue  of  the  pro- 
visions of  this  act,  and  who  shall  be  wounded  or  otherwise  disabled  in 
service,  shall  be  entitled  to  all  the  benefit  which  may  be  conferred  on 
persons  wounded  in  the  service  of  the  United  States. 

"Sec.  8.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  President  of  the 
United  States  be  and  he  is  hereby  authorized  forthwith  to  complete  all  the 
public  armed  vessels  now  authorized  by  law,  and  to  purchase  or  charier, 
arm,  equip,  and  man  such  merchant  vessels  and  steamboats  as  upon  ex- 
amination maybe  found  fit  or  easily  converted  into  armed  vessels, fit 
for  the  public  service,  and  in  such  numbers  as  he  may  deem  necessary 
for  the  protection  of  the  seaboard,  lake  coast,  and  the  general  defence  of 
the  country. 


42  CAUSES  AND  COMMENCEMENT 

"  Sec.  9.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That,  whenever  the  militia  or 
volunteers  are  called  and  received  into  the  service  of  the  United  States 
under  the  provisions  of  this  act,  they  shall  have  the  organization  of 
the  army  of  the  United  States,  and  shall  have  the  same  pay  and  allow- 
ances; and  all  mounted  privates,  non-commissioned  officers,  musicians 
and  artificers,  shall  be  allowed  40  cents  per  day  for  the  use  and  risk  of 
their  horses  actually  killed  in  action ;  and  if  any  mounted  non-com- 
missioned officer,  musician  or  private  shall  not  keep  himself  provided 
with  a  serviceable  horse,  said  volunteers  shall  serve  on  foot." 

This  bill  was  followed  on  the  13th  of  May,  by  the  Procla- 
mation of  War,  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  as  fol- 
lows : 

By  the  President  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

A   PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  by  virtue  of  the  Con- 
stitutional authority  vested  in  them,  have  declared  by  their  act,  bearing 
date  this  day,  that, "  by  the  act  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  a  state  of 
war  exists  between  that  Government  and  the  United  States  :" 

Now,  therefore,  I,  James  K.  Polk,  President  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  do  hereby  proclaim  the  same  to  all  whom  it  may  concern  ; 
and  I  do  specially  enjoin  on  all  persons  holding  offices,  civil  or  mili- 
tary, under  the  authority  of  the  United  States,  that  they  be  vigilant 
and  zealous  in  discharging  the  duties  respectively  incident  thereto  :  and 
I  do  moreover  exhort  all  the  good  people  of  the  United  States,  as  they 
love  their  country,  as  they  feel  the  wrongs  which  have  forced  on  them 
the  last  resort  of  injured  nations,  and  as  they  consult  the  best  means, 
under  the  blessing  of  Divine  Providence,  of  abridging  its  calamities, 
that  they  exert  themselves  in  preserving  order,  in  promoting  concord, 
in  maintaining  the  authority  and  efficacy  of  the  laws,  and  in  supporting 
and  invigorating  all  the  measures  which  may  be  adopted  by  the  consti- 
tuted authorities  for  obtaining  a  speedy,  a  just,  and  an  honorable  peace. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand,  and  caused  the 

seal  of  the  United  States  to  be  affixed  to  these  presents.    Done 

[L.S.]  at  the  city   of  Washington,  the   thirteenth  day   of  May,  one 

thouxand  eight  hundred  and  forty-six,  and  of  the  independence 

of  the  United  States  the  seventieth. 

JAMES  K.  POLK. 
By  the  President : 

JAMES  BUCHANAN,  Secretary  of  State. 


OF  THE  WAR.  43 

Following  this  proclamation  of  war  came,  on  the  19th  in- 
stant, the  requisition  of  the  secretary  of  war  upon  the  States 
of  Tennessee,  Kentucky,  Illinois,  Indiana,  Ohio,  Mississippi, 
Alabama,  Georgia,  Arkansas,  and  Missouri,  for  troops  to  be 
mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  immediately, 
"  to  serve  twelve  months,  unless  sooner  discharged."  To 
these,  too,  were  added  a  battalion  from  Baltimore  and  the 
District  of  Columbia;  also,  a  requisition  was  made  at  the 
same  time  on  all  the  other  states  of  the  Union,  for  troops  to 
be  raised  and  held  in  readiness  to  be  called  subsequently 
into  service,  at  the  discretion  of  the  president.  These,  when 
afterwards  called  out  from  time  to  time,  were  mustered  in 
for  the  war. 

The  States  of  Texas  and  Louisiana  had  already,  upon  the 
requisition  of  General  Taylor,  sent  a  large  quota  of  troops 
to  the  Rio  Grande ;  these  men  were  mustered  in  for  six 
months,  and  after  the  arrival  of  the  twelve  months  troops, 
were  discharged.  Many  of  them,  however,  re-entered  the 
service  for  twelve  months.  Upon  the  reception  of  the  requi- 
sition, the  governors  of  those  States  called  upon  to  furnish 
the  troops  for  immediate  service,  or  the  "  twelve  months' 
volunteers,"  issued  their  proclamations,  in  energetic  terms, 
requesting  their  citizens  to  rally  to  the  call  of  their  country, 
and  appointing  places  of  rendezvous  for  the  different  regi- 
ments about  to  be  formed.  The  call  was  responded  to  enthu- 
siastically ;  thousands  rapidly  came  forward,  eager  to  be  led 
against  the  enemy.  The  merchant  left  his  counter;  the 
farmer  his  plow;  the  mechanic  his  shop,  and  the  profes- 
sional man  his  office,  and  all  as  one  offered  their  services  as 
citizen  soldiers.  The  question  was  not,  "  Who  will  go?" 
but  rather  "  Who  shall  remain  ?  "  for  the  services  of  more 
than  two  hundred  thousand  were  offered,  and  not  a  fourth  of 
these  could  be  accepted.  Each  company  accepted  regarded 
itself  as  fortunate,  while  those  too  late,  rejected,  returned 
disappointed  to  their  homes. 

The  infantry  proceeded  by  sea,  (save  those  in  Kearney's 
division,  whose  movement  was  to  be  against  Santa  Fe,  in 
New  Mexico),  and  were  soon  on  the  scene  of  operations  ;  but 


44 


CAUSES   AND  COMMENCEMENT,  ETC. 


the  cavalry  had  to  march  thither  by  land.  The  route  for 
the  Arkansas  cavalry  was  from  Little  Rock  to  San  Antonio, 
Texas,  to  join  the  division  of  General  Wool  against  Chihua- 
hua ;  for  the  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  regiments,  from  Mem- 
phis, Tennessee,  to  the  Rio  Grande,  via  Little  Rock,  Wash- 
ington, Ark.,  Robbins'  Ferry,  on  the  Trinity  river,  Washing- 
ton, Tex.,  and  San  Antonio  (but  this  latter  route  by  San 
Antonio  was  afterwards  changed  for  the  coast  road)  ;  and  the 
Missouri  regiments  in  the  division  of  General  Kearney,  to 
Santa  Fe,  in  New  Mexico. 


LIST  OF   REGIMENTS   OF   THE   TWELVE   MONTHS*    VOLUNTEERS. 


Tennessee 


UUIAIKBLS.      TIME  OF  MUSTEK  INTO  SERVIC1 

(  fiffiS!  Cavalr>' • -THOMAS-  -6th  to  15th  June 1846. 

U»l  Infantry CAMPBELL-  -28th  May  to  2d  June  ...     « 

HASKELL- •  4th  to  18ih  June....       .    « 


f  Kentucky  Cavalry MARSHALL  1 


Kentucky 

i  isi  iniantry  
lad      Do.      
1  1  Independent  Coinp.  • 

M'KEE  |  ^7th  ^ay  to  15tn  June, 
•  Capt.  WILLIAMS  J 

a 

Indiana-  •• 

(1st  Infantry  
2U      Do.      
3d      Do  

DRAKE) 
BOWLES  5  18th  to  26th  June,  
LANE) 

H 

Ohio  

!I»t  Infantry  
U      Do.      .... 
3d      Do  

MITCHELL  ) 
MORGAN  |  23d  to  29th  June,  
CURTIS  ) 

it 

(1st  Infantry  

H 

Illinois 

3d      Do.      
3d      Do.      
4th     Do  

B,^™  1  17th  to  30th  June,  

u 

Missouri  •• 


t%!S£K!^z":jg^:"*"°vr' 
SfiS!:3BsS&$W  •  • 


Mississippi..  1st.  Riflemen- 


Artillery,  U  ps.. LT.DYER..  « 


Arkansas. 
Georgia  - . 

Alabama  • 
Louisiana 
Texas--.. 


Cavalry 

•  "    Infantry 

•  "    Infantry 

•Independent  Corap.- 


DAVIS. -3d  to  15th  June, 

YELL- -30th  June  to  3d  July,- 

JACKSON-  -10th  to  19th  June,.  • . . 

COFFEE-  -8ih  to  29th  June, 

PT.  BLANCHARD-. 30th  July, 

CAPT.  SHIVERS-  • 


Maryland    I 

*Q*S;  j  Baltinort  *«>***•  • '  "I*. COL.  WATSO,.  -30th  May  to  8th  June,  - 


THE  TWELVE  MONTHS    VOLUNTEER. 


THE  proclamation  of  the  governor  of  Tennessee,  calling 
for  the  quota  of  troops  from  that  State,  two  regiments  of  in- 
fantry and  one  of  cavalry,  was  made  on  the  24th  of  May, 
1846.  The  first  regiment  rendezvoused  at  Nashville,  and 
under  Colonel  Campbell,  were  soon  off;  the  second,  under 
Colonel  Haskell,  immediately  followed  from  Memphis.  The 
ten  cavalry  companies,  under  command  of  Captains  Lenow, 
Caswel,  Porter,  Newman,  Haynes,  Cooper,  Gillaspie,  Evans, 
Marshall,  and  Goodnow,  forming  the  other  regiment,  soon 
collected  at  the  latter  place,  encamping  at  the  "  Big  Spring," 
two  miles  east  of  the  city. 

The  author,  then  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  in  Ger- 
mantown,  determined  to  throw  aside  Blackstone  and  Chitty, 
and  take  up  the  sword  and  carbine,  exchanging  the  office 
for  the  camp ;  and  accordingly  he  entered  his  name  upon  the 
list  of  the  "  Eagle  Guards,"  or  company  G.,of  this  regiment, 
and  immediately  commenced  the  duties  of  a  soldier.  Upon 
the  organization  of  the  regiment,  Jonas  E.  Thomas  was 
elected  colonel,  Robert  Allison  lieutenant  colonel,  and  Rich- 
ard Waterhouse  major. 

The  regiment  remained  at  camp  Carrol,  at  the  spring,  until 
the  17th  of  July.  In  the  meantime,  the  Kentucky  regiment 
of  cavalry  came  down  from  Louisville,  and  after  remaining 
encamped  on  the  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  opposite  Memphis, 
for  a  few  days,  commenced  their  march  for  Mexico.  Ten 
days  after,  on  the  27th  of  July,  the  Tennessee  regiment 'num- 
bering about  nine  hundred  and  forty  men,  took  up  the  same 

*  As  the  minor  details  of  the  march  of  the  Tennessee  cavalry,  through  Arkansas  and 
Texas,  may  be  found  only  interesting  to  those  who  were  attached  to  that  regiment,  or  to 
those  who  wish  an  idea  of  the  appearance  of  the  country  as  passed  over  from  daj'  to  day, 
the  Author  wou'd  suggest  to  the  general  reader,  10  omit  the  perusal  of  them,  and  continue 
us  course  from  Chapter  III.,  page  >5. 

(45) 


46  MARCH  TO  LITTLE   ROCK. 

line  of  march — as  fine  a  body  of  men  as  could  be  collected, 
mounted  on  the  best  horses  that  the  country  could  afford. 
The  regiment  arrived  at  Little  Rock,  the  capital  of  the  State 
of  Arkansas,  on  the  7th  of  August,  at  which  place  it  en- 
camped for  three  days,  and  here  the  account  of  its  daily 
marches,  &c.,  commences. 

By  the  time  of  its  arrival  here,  it  had  become  organized 
and  regular  as  a  body ;  officers  and  men  were  learning  and 
practicing  their  common  duties,  and  every  part  began  to 
work  harmoniously  with  the  whole.  Before  this  time,  how- 
ever, there  had  been  confusion,  often,  and  irregularity,  by 
reason  of  inexperience  in  all,  or  nearly  so,  in  military  life. 
The  distance  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles,  over  which — 
from  Memphis  to  Little  Rock — the  regiment  had  traveled, 
had  been  through  a  section  of  country  of  which  little  could 
be  said.  The  first  forty  miles  were  in  the  wide  swamp 
of  the  Mississippi  bottom,  muddy  and  almost  entirely  unset- 
tled, save  for  a  few  miles  from  the  river.  The  next  forty 
was  over  small  hills  at  first,  and  then  through  a  long,  dreary 
waste,  covered  with  water  and  low  timber;  then,  piney, 
sandy  land ;  the  succeeding  forty  through  the  better  lands 
bordering  on  White  river,  and  on  to  the  grand  prairie,  which 
is  thirty-three  miles  wide;  the  last  forty  through  the  prai- 
rie and  sandy  lands  along  the  Arkansas,  to  Little  Rock. 

The  encampment  was  below  the  town,  on  the  southern 
bank  of  the  river,  in  a  very  fine  situation  ;  regularly  laid  off, 
and  presenting  to  the  spectator  a  fine  military  appearance. 
It  had  there  been  placed,  on  account  of  a  grove  of  small 
timber  on  the  bank,  and  also  clear  springs  of  water,  much 
better  than  that  of  the  river.  The  regiment  had  now  for 
several  weeks  been  in  service,  but  as  yet  no  court  martial 
had  been  found  necessary  up  to  this  time,  when  the  first  one 
was  convened  for  the  purpose  of  trying  the  case  of  a  pri- 
vate, Frederick  Richards,  of  company  G.;  and  with  the  ac- 
count of  this  court  martial,  and  the  ceremony  of  punishment 
of  criminal  soldiers,  by  "drumming  them  out  of  camp," 
the  narrative  commences. 

The  crime  of  which  he  was  accused  was,  simply,  stealing 


COURT-MARTIAL.  47 

a  horse.  Richards  plead  "  not  guilty"  to  the  charge  and 
specifications.  The  testimony,  however,  was  conclusive, 
that  he  did,  a  few  days  before,  steal  and  ride  away  a  certain 
horse,  with  intent  to  deprive  the  true  owner  thereof  of  the 
same;  which  intention,  however,  was  entirely  frustrated,  by 
his  being  pursued  by  the  said  owner,  who,  upon  coming  up 
with  him,  most  unceremoniously  took  the  horse  and  returned, 
leaving  Richards  to  "  foot  it,"  as  he  had  done  before — his 
own  horse  having,  a  few  days  previous,  much  against  his 
wish,  laid  down  and  died. 

Richards  was  accordingly  convicted,  and  sentenced  by  the 
court-martial  to  be  drummed  out  of  camp  on  the  same  even- 
ing at  sunset.  But  here  was  a  difficulty  ;  not  a  drum  was 
in  the  regiment,  for  cavalry  have  but  little  use  for  such 
noisy  articles  as  those.  This  difficulty,  however,  was  obvi- 
ated by  the  wisdom  of  the  court,  who  decided  that  the  word 
"  drumming,"  in  its  military  and  most  extensive  sense,  sig- 
nified "  any  sort  of  a  noise,  made  upon  any  instrument  what- 
ever, for  instance,  the  musical  beating  of  a  brick-bat  upon 
the  bottom  of  an  iron  pan,  came  fully  within  the  definition." 
This  effectually  cleared  up  the  matter,  much  to  the  satisfac- 
tion of  that  large  number  of  amateurs  of  music,  who  wished 
to  "  take  a  hand  "  in  the  ceremony ;  for  any  number  of  iron 
mess-pans  and  deep  sounding  camp-kettles  could  be  paraded, 
and  as  a  large  slaughter  house  had  been  carried  on  for  sev- 
eral years  at  the  edge  of  the  camp,  any  quantity  of  shin 
bones  of  cattle,  calves  and  sheep  lay  scattered  around,  offer- 
ing, in  size,  &c.,  a  great  variety  of  substitutes  for  drum- 
sticks. At  sunset,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  parade 
without  arms,  save  G  company,  to  which  the  delinquent  be 
longed  :  this  was  brought  into  line  by  itself,  while  at  a  little 
distance  the  regiment  was  formed  in  two  long  parallel  lines 
facing  inwards,  about  ten  paces  apart,  each  with  any  noisy 
instrument  he  could  get.  G  company,  with  arms  shoul- 
dered, was  formed  in  sections  of  four.  In  front  of  it,  the 
prisoner,  with  his  baggage  lashed  on  his  back,  attended  on 
either  side  by  a  guard  with  loaded  carbines.  Behind  him 
were  two  buglers ;  in  the  rear  of  these,  three  sections  of 


48  DRUMMING  OUT  OF  CAMP. 

men  without  carbines,  each  one  with  an  iron  mess-pan  and 
shin-bone  or  brick-bat ;  in  the  rear  of  these,  the  remaining 
sections,  with  their  carbines  at  a  shoulder. 

The  bugles  struck  up  in  discordant  notes ;  the  three  ranks 
of  iron  pans  accompanied,  with  a  most  outrageous  racket. 
The  company  marched  to  the  head  of  the  lines  on  the  out- 
side, they  being  silent ;  and,  wheeling,  entered  the  interval, 
coming  down  between,  and  as  it  done  so,  both  lines  joined 
in  the  concert  on  all  their  pans,  old  coffee-pots,  and  kettles, 
accompanied  by  groans,  hisses,  squeals  and  yells  the  loudest 
and  most  discordant.  It  was  deafening,  and  seemed  as 
though  all  the  fiends  of  the  lower  regions  had  "  broken  loose." 

The  column  having  passed  through,  the  regiment  was 
dismissed;  but  the  company,  continuing  their  discordant 
sounds,  marched  with  the  culprit  through  the  streets  of  the 
town — opening  the  ears  of  the  good  people  with  regard  to 
melody — to  the  ferry  boat,  and  placing  him  on  board,  sent 
him  across  the  river,  firing  an  irregular  volley  after  him ; 
then,  faced  about,  the  bugles  striking  up  harmoniously  the 
"  star  spangled  banner,"  returned  to  the  camp,  and  were  dis- 
missed. Thus  ended  the  ceremony  of  "  drumming  out  of 
camp." 

The  city  of  Little  Rock,  formerly  called  Arkopolis,  is  a 
pleasant  place,  occupying  a  situation  on  the  southern  bank  of 
the  Arkansas,  some  thirty  feet  above  the  common  level  of  the 
river,  which  is  navigable  most  of  the  year  for  small  steam- 
boats, to  this  place ;  and  in  high  water  for  several  hundred 
miles  above.  It  is  a  river  of  great  length,  for  one  of  its 
magnitude,  rising  in  New  Mexico,  in  the  Green  mountain, 
one  of  the  range  of  Rocky  mountains,  and  the  same  moun- ' 
tain  that  gives  rise  to  the  Rio  Grande— the  sources  of  the 
two  rivers  being  but  a  few  miles  apart.  The  navigation  of 
the  Arkansas  is  much  impeded  by  its  numerous  shifting 
sand-bars,  but  still  much  business  is  done  upon  it  in  the  fall, 
winter  and  spring.  At  the  time  that  we  were  there,  how- 
ever, there  was  but  one  steamboat  at  the  city,  and  she  was 
laid  up  for  the  want  of  sufficient  depth  of  water  to  carry  her 
out. 


LITTLE  ROCK.  49 

Little  Rock  has  the  appearance  of  a  place  of  considerable 
business.  Its  numerous  stores  are  large  and  well  filled ;  its 
hotels  will  compare  favorably  with  those  of  any  of  the 
southern  or  western  cities,  and  with  regard  to  its  private 
dwellings,  there  is  an  air  of  neatness  and  ornament,  in  good 
taste,  about  their  appearance,  that  strikes  the  eye  of  the 
stranger  favorably ;  and,  taking  the  whole  together,  the  tra- 
veler can  spend  a  few  days  in  Little  Rock  very  agreeably, 
and  he  certainly  will  be  pleased  with  the  inhabitants. 

On  Monday,  August  10th,  we  resumed  our  march,  leaving 
fifty-two  men  sick  at  Little  Rock,  and  discharging  one  young 
man  belonging  to  company  G,  who  became  deranged,  and 
kept  the  regiment  in  an  uproar.  Guards  were  placed  over 
him,  but  he  contrived  often  to  elude  their  vigilance,  and  creep- 
ing off,  would  mount  the  first  horse  he  came  to,  and  dash 
about  at  full  speed  through  the  camp,  regardless  of  the  tents 
or  men,  outside,  or  within  sleeping ;  a  matter  of  surprise  that 
he  did  not  kill  or  cripple  some  of  them ;  still  it  was  exciting 
as  well  as  amusing  to  see  him  rushing  like  a  fiend,  his  horse 
without  saddle  or  bridle,  unexpectedly  into  a  crowd  of  men, 
and  to  see  with  what  agility  and  quickness  they  gave  him  a 
full  pass  way.  His  actions  became  so  outrageous  that  the 
Colonel  was  obliged  to  send  him  back  to  Memphis.  The 
whole  town  was  out  to  see  our  departure,  as  in  a  long  ex- 
tended unbroken  column  four  deep  we  moved  through  the 
city,  and  took  the  road  for  Washington,  in  Hempstead  county. 
Three  days'  march  brought  us  to  the  Washita  river.  The 
evening  of  the  second  day  we  encamped  on  the  bank  of  the 
Sabine  river,  and  the  evening  of  the  third  at  Rockport,  a 
little  village  on  the  bank  of  the  Washita.  The  march  of  the 
first  day  from  Little  Rock  was  over  a  succession  of  small  hills, 
very  stony  and  barren  ;  the  valleys  were  of  pretty  fair  land, 
streams  of  pure  water  crossing  the  road  every  few  miles. 
The  second  day's  march  was  over  a  more  sandy  section  but 
little  better  in  soil,  improving  however  near  the  Sabine.  We 
passed  through  the  little  town  of  Benton,  and  four  miles  fur- 
ther encamped  on  the  western  side  of  the  Sabine,  where  we 
found  an  abundant  supply  of  corn  and  oats  in  large  piles  on 
4 


ENCAMPMENT  AT  SABINE. 


the  ground,  provided  for  us  by  the  forage  master  Mr.  Davis, 
who  kept  his  position  two  days  in  advance  of  the  regiment, 
selecting  the  camping  places  and  making  his  contracts  with 
the  neighboring  farmers  for  the  supply  of  forage  delivered  at 
the  ground,  by  the  evening  that  the  regiment  was  to  arrive. 
The  payment  for  the  same  was  made  by  the  quartermaster, 
Major  Vaughan,  attending  the  regiment.  The  supplies  of 
provisions,  &c.,  attended  in  their  laying  in  and  issuing  to  the 
troops,  by  the  commissary,  Lieutenant  Woodson,  consisting 
of  mess  pork,  hard  bread,  sugar,  coffee,  salt,  vinegar,  and 
occasionally  pickles,  were  hauled  in  the  train  and  replen- 
ished, as  they  gave  out,  from  the  various  depots,  already  pro- 
vided for  us  by  the  government.  These  depots  were  situated 
at  Memphis,  White  River,  Little  Rock,  Washington,  Ark., 
or  rather  Fulton  on  Red  river  ;  Robbins'  Ferry  on  the 
Trinity  river,  Tex. ;  Washington,  on  the  Brazos,  San  Anto- 
nio, on  the  river  of  the  same  name,  Western  Tex.,  or  Port 
Lavacca  on  Lavacca  Bay  ;  Corpus  Christi,  Point  Isabel,  and 
Matamoras,  Mexico,  the  whole  route  being  about  fourteen 
hundred  miles.  So  far  we  have  not  had  the  slightest  reason 
to  complain  of  quantity  or  quality  of  the  provisions  issued  to 
us ;  to  those  already  mentioned,  is  added  fresh  beef,  when- 
ever it  can  be  procured. 

But  to  return  to  the  encampment  at  the  Sabine.  It  was  a 
pleasant  situation  under  lofty  trees.  The  day  had  been  very 
hot,  and  the  men  and  horses  now  filled  the  stream,  bathing 
and  washing  off.  The  water  was  clear,  the  bed  round  peb- 
bles, two  pebbly  islands  were  at  the  ford,  dividing  the  river 
into  three  swift  channels ;  above  these  it  spread  out  wide, 
smooth,  clear  and  deep;  below,  the  same;  a  better  place  we' 
could  not  wish. 

The  third  days'  march  from  Little  Rock  was  over  a  rough, 
rocky,  hilly,  and  generally,  save  in  the  bottoms,  barren  coun- 
try—considerable pine  on  the  hills.  The  camping  ground  on 
the  Washita  river  at  Rockport  was  reached  at  an  early  hour; 
plenty  of  corn  and  fodder,  more  than  our  horses  wanted,' 
was  already  there.  The  Washita  is  a  pretty  stream,  longer 
than  the  Sabine,  rising  about  sixty  miles  to  the  north-west 


MAGNET  COVE.  51 

of  this  point,  and  running  south-eastwardly,  flowing  into 
Red  River,  in  Louisiana.  Its  water  is  clear,  but  at  this  point 
and  above,  the  river  is  obstructed  by  large  rocks  in  its  bed  ; 
the  face  of  the  country  bordering  on  it  is  quite  hilly,  and  to 
the  north  becomes  mountainous. 

Seven  miles  north  of  our  encampment  was  the  "  Magnet 
Cove,"  which  the  author  visited.  It  is  an  extensive,  nearly 
circular  basin,  as  it  were,  surrounded  by  high,  steep  hills. 
A  bed  of  magnetic  iron-ore  is  in  it,  and  gives  it  its  name  ;  the 
ground  is  filled  with  detached,  irregular-shaped  pieces,  from 
the  size  of  a  half  bushel  measure,  down  to  that  of  a  hazel  nut; 
each  piece  has  its  two  poles,  and  is  strongly  magnetic,  though 
varying  much  in  intensity  of  power.  The  lady  of  Governor 
Conway,  who  has  a  plantation  in  the  cove,  informed  him  that 
pieces  of  a  pound  weight,  or  a  little  upwards,  had  been  often 
found  there,  that  would  by  attraction  sustain  a  string  of  from 
six  to  eight  tenpenny  nails,  by  the  point  of  one ;  the  attraction 
extending  down  through  the  whole,  holding  each  to  its  place, 
as  though  tied  there  ;  but  he  was  not  able  to  find  any  piece, 
of  that  size,  that  would  sustain  in  that  way  more  than  three, 
though  they  held  securely  as  many  as  could  be  attached,  each 
one  by  its  own  point.  The  magnetic  compass  of  the  sur- 
veyor is  of  no  use,  for  many  miles  around  this  cove,  pointing 
to  the  cove,  instead  of  the  "north." 

Fifteen  miles  further  to  the  north  are  the  famous  "  Hot 
Springs."  Hedidnot  visit  them,  though  several  of  the  officers 
and  men  did,  leaving  the  road  for  that  purpose  a  little  this 
side  of  Little  Rock.  They  describe  the  place  as  amply  re- 
paying them  for  their  trouble ;  the  number  of  separate  springs 
to  be  large — above  seventy;  if  he  was  informed  correctly,  the 
temperature  of  the  different  ones  varying  a  little,  but  all  near 
the  boiling  point.  These  springs  are  much  resorted  to  bv 
invalids  suffering  from  the  effect  of  different  diseases ;  for  all 
such,  the  waters  are  said  to  be  beneficial,  save  to  those 
afflicted  with  diseases  of  the  lungs,  which,  it  is  said,  are 
aggravated  by  their  use.  His  information,  with  respect  to 
the  springs,  is  all  second  hand  ;  though  he  presumes  it  to  be 
correct.  The  accommodations  for  visitors,  at  the  springs, 


52  CAMP   AT  CADDO. 

are  described  as  being  good,  fare  excellent,  fine  opportuni- 
ties for  fishing,  and  better  for  hunting— bears,  deer,  and  tur- 
kies,  being  found  in  the  neighboring  mountains. 

We  left  the  Washita  on  the  following  morning,  August 
13th,  but  marched  only  nine  miles,  and  encamped  on  a  little 
rocky  brook,  in  the  most  contracted  situation  that  we  have 
so  far  occupied ;  the  encampment  not  being  laid  off  in  order. 
A  rain  coming  up,  made  it  more  unpleasant,  and  we  were 
rejoiced  to  leave  it  the  next  morning ;  for  all  the  men  were 
somewhat  surly,  not  having  room  enough  to  be  comfortable. 
But  after  getting  off,  and  marching  four  or  five  miles,  the 
clouds  broke  away,  the  sun  came  out  bright  and  pleasant, 
the  trees  looked  fresh  and  green,  the  road  was  beaten  hard 
with  the  rain,  rendering  the  traveling  good,  and  universal 
cheerfulness  and  good  humor  were  immediately  restored. 
The  march,  this  day,  brought  us  to  the  Caddo  river,  on  the 
bank  of  which  we  encamped,  on  the  lands  and  near  the  house 
of  a  wealthy  old  settler  here,  Judge  Barkman.  The  camp 
was  in  a  fine  situation,  level  ground,  thinly  scattered  trees, 
and  plenty  of  room.  The  miserably-formed  camp  of  the  last 
night  had,  in  its  inconvenience,  awakened  the  field-officers 
to  attend  to  the  laying  off  of  the  ground  as  it  should  be  ;  each 
company's  tents  in  one  straight  line,  and  the  ten  lines 
perfectly  parallel  with  each  other,  with  plenty  of  space  be- 
tween ;  for  a  cavalry  camp  occupies  double  the  area  of  one  of 
infantry,  of  the  same  number  of  men  ;  for  a  thousand  horses 
take  up  much  room.  Lieutenant-colonel  Allison  attended  to 
this  in  person,  this  evening,  laying  off  and  appointing  to  each 
captain  the  position  of  his  company.  The  commissary  pro- 
cured plenty  of  fine  fresh  beef,  this  day, — issued,  also,  a  sup- 
ply of  salt,  flour,  sugar  and  coffee  to  the  troops.  JThe  best 
spring  that  we  had  seen  since  we  left  Memphis,  was  in  the 
limits  of  the  camp,  on  the  bank  of  the  Caddo,  and  pure  water 
was  abundant. 

A  universal  determination  seemed  to  have  been  prevalent 
through  the  whole  regiment,  as  we  had  arrived  in  camp  so 
early  in  the  afternoon,  to  have  good  suppers ;  and  such 
roasting,  broiling,  baking,  stewing,  and  boiling,  had  not  been 


SOLDIERS   COOKING.  53 

done  before ;  there  were  about  one  hundred  and  seventy 
messes  in  the  regiment,  and  of  course,  as  many  fires  and 
cooks :  the  smoke,  rising  in  volumes  from  these  fires,  so 
near  together,  settled  in  a  light-blue  haze  or  cloud  over  the 
scene,  enveloping  the  tops  of  the  trees  ;  for  the  air  was  per- 
fectly still,  and  the  sun  was  sinking  down.  Each  mess  got 
its  supper  ready;  some  had  soup;  some  beefsteaks;  some 
roast  beef;  some  stewed,  and  some  had,  in  trying  to  prepare 
their  own,  in  some  one  or  another  of  the  styles  mentioned 
made  queer  dishes,  of  odd  appearance,  and  of  still  more  odd 
a  taste; — here,  in  one  mess,  was  a  row  of  white,  good-looking 
biscuit,  daintily  set  out  on  a  line  of  chips,  and  the  soldier 
who  had  made  them,  looked  at  them  with  pleasure ;  while 
his  comrade  of  the  next  mess,  at  the  neighboring  fire,  who 
had  made  as  strenuous  efforts  to  have  his  own  nice,  too,  with 
a  disappointed  expression  was  placing  out  a  lot  of  dark, 
mongrel-looking  balls  of  baked  and  burnt  dough,  each  solid 
enough  to  knock  a  steer  down.  Here  was  a  chap,  for  the 
first  time  in  his  life,  probably,  roasting  some  coffee ;  his  iron 
fryingpan  full,  on  a  hot  fire  smoking,  while  he  stirred  it, 
sweating  with  the  heat.  The  coffee  was  roasted,  but  he,  not 
knowing  when  to  stop,  determined  to  do  it  well;  and  con- 
tinued with  it,  hotter  still,  until  it  had  nearly  ceased  to 
smoke,  and  turned  in  color  of  an  ebony  black ;  he  had  got  it 
almost  to  pure  charcoal.  He  found  it  very  easy  to  pound 
(for  all  the  coffee  was  pounded  in  tin  cups,  with  a  stone, 
muzzle  of  a  pistol  or  carbine),  but  not  so  easy  to  settle,  after 
boiling.  In  fact,  it  would  not  settle ;  he  turned  in  cold 
water,  several  times,  but  it  was  still  thick,  and,  one  of 
his  messmates,  as  he  sat  down  to  it,  declared,  with  a  sour 
look,  that  he  never  could  have  told,  from  its  taste,  that  that 
mixture  was  intended  for  coffee. 

The  supper  was  ended  over  the  camp  by  sunset,  the  horses 
all  fed,  and  they,  like  ourselves,  had  an  abundance,  and 
nearly  the  whole  regiment  went  out  on  the  banks  of  the 
Caddo,  about  one  half  to  enjoy  the  scene  and  the  bracing  air 
of  the  evening,  and  the  other  half  to  have  the  fun  and  frolic 
of  a  good  bath  and  swimming-spell.  Many  took  their  horses 


54  SQUATTER  GIRL. 

in  the  water  with  them, to  practice  them  in  swimming;  and 
quite  a  scene  took  place  of  playing,  diving,  ducking  and 
splashing,  with  bursts  of  merriment  and  laughter.  After 
dark  this  ended,  and  all  lay  down  and  slept  well. 

The  next  morning,  August  15th,  the  breakfasts  were  got 
and  disposed  of  early,  the  tents  were  all  down,  the  wagons 
loaded,  horses  saddled,  the  ground  cleared,  and  the  linea 
formed  by  seven  o'clock  ;  and,  at  the  sound  of  the  bugles,  we 
again  moved  ahead. 

The  march,  to-day,  was  over  a  better  farming  country  than 
before,  though  not  first-rate.  Obtaining  permission  to  leave 
the  lines,  the  author  stopped  with  the  assistant-surgeon  of 
the  regiment,  at  one  of  the  houses  on  the  roadside,  to  get 
some  fruit;  but  we  found  little,  and  that  was  worthless.  A 
queer  family  lived  here.  The  log  house  was  rotten  and  tot- 
tering ;  the  broken  dirt  chimneys  nearly  down ;  the  fences 
around  were  also  down,  and  the  field,  or  the  larger  part  of 
it,  growing  up  with  tall  weeds  and  sassafras  bushes  ;  a  good 
piece  of  corn,  however,  was  on  the  other  part. 

A  woman,  tall,  stooping  and  dirty,  with  torn  dress  and 
tangled  hair,  was  within  the  house,  with  four  or  five 
stout,  half-savage  looking  boys  and  girls,  bare-foot,  bare- 
headed, sun-burnt,  and  half  dressed.  Three  large,  surly  bear 
dogs  forbade  our  entrance,  until  driven  off  by  the  oldest  girl, 
who  wielded  a  club  among  them  in  a  manner  that  showed 
she  was  used  to  it ;  and  then  coming  forward,  with  consider- 
able kindness  of  expression  in  voice  and  look,  which  even 
the  wildness  of  her  general  appearance  could  not  destroy, 
she  invited  us  to  alight;  informing  us  at  the  same  time, "  thaj 
her  father  was  not  at  home ;  that  he  was  '  bar  huntin'," 
presuming  that  we  had  come  to  see  him.  She  was  perfectly 
at  her  ease,  not  in  the  slightest  degree  abashed ;  and  as  she 
stood  erect,  her  bare  feet  firmly  planted  on  the  ground ;  her 
short  sleeved,  coarse  dress  leaving  bare  her  arms,  well 
formed,  but  browned  and  sun-burnt;  and  her  face  open,  frank, 
with  fine  blue  eyes,  and  a  full  high  forehead ;  and  as  she 
rested  on  the  large  stick  in  her  hand,  with  which  she  had 
just  walloped  the  dogs,  who  were  yet  barking  fiercely  at  us 


CAMP  AT  LITTLE  MISSOURI.  55 

round  the  corners  of  the  house,  she  showed  that,  although 
her  father  was  not,  she  felt  herself  perfectly  at  home. 

We  went  in.  We  soon  soon  saw  that  the  woman  was  too 
fond  of  liquor,  the  fumes  of  which  were  apparent  to  the 
senses.  Visiting  the  orchard,  and  finding  no  good  fruit,  we 
remounted  and  overtook  the  column  of  troops. 

At  five  o'clock  we  encamped  in  the  thick  woods,  up  and 
down  a  half  stagnant  stream  of  water,  where  abundance  of 
forage  had  been  piled  up.  On  the  following  day,  Sunday, 
August  16th,  the  regiment  was  again  formed,  and  with  the 
wagon  train  started  at  an  early  hour,  and  at  two,  P.  M.,  we  ar- 
rived at  our  next  encampment,  on  the  western  bank  of  the 
Little  Missouri,  one  of  the  tributaries  of  the  Washita ;  a 
clear,  rapid  stream,  with  pebbly  bottom.  We  encamped  in 
the  cane  ;  the  lines  of  tents  were  soon  up,  the  fires  built,  and 
every  one  felt  himself  perfectly  at  ease.  The  loads  of  corn 
soon  came  in  and  were  distributed,  and  our  horses  abun- 
dantly fed. 

A  general  disposition  in  our  company  was  manifested  for 
singing,  and  the  captain  had  all  the  good  singers  in  front  of 
his  "  marquee"  at  it,  and  all  seemed  to  enjoy  the  afternoon 
much.  Many  groups  of  men  were  off  to  themselves  in  the 
cane,  lying  down  in  the  shade  of  the  trees,  conversing  with 
each  other  of  home  and  the  Sabbath  meetings  there  ;  and  now 
they  found  that  every  little  circumstance  that  memory 
brought  up,  that  at  the  time  of  its  occurrence  passed  almost 
unnoticed,  was  of  interest,  and  gave  pleasure  in  the  recital. 
The  country  through  which,  this  day  and  yesterday,  the  regi- 
ment passed,  continued  poor.  We  left  the  camp  on  the  Little 
Missouri  at  seven  o'clock  on  the  following  morning,  and 
marching  eighteen  miles,  came  to  a  Baptist  camp-meeting 
ground,  near  to  the  town  of  Washington ;  here  we  pitched 
our  lines  of  tents,  using  the  water  of  the  Baptistry  (a  stone 
basin  fed  by  a  spring)  for  ourselves  and  horses.  It  held 
about  thirty  hogsheads ;  but  it  was  not  a  "  priming,"  and 
several  of  the  companies  were  obliged  to  saddle  up  and  pro- 
ceed on  to  town,  in  and  about  which,  at  the  various  springs, 
they  found  water.  The  spring,  or  rather  springs,  at  which 


56  WASHINGTON. 

our  company  encamped,  were  fine  :  clear,  cold  and  copious, 
offering  abundant  supply  for  men  and  horses.  They  were 
situated  at  the  head  of  a  deep  ravine,  shady  and  pleasant, 
at  the  edge  of  town.  We  arrived  here  after  dark,  and  not 
being  able  to  find  any  wood,  of  course  could  build  no  fires, 
and  lay  down  to  sleep  without  putting  up  our  tents  or  get- 
ting any  supper.  The  sand  made  a  good  bed,  and  we  slept 
well. 

The  next  morning  we  were  ordered  up  to  roll  call,  after 
which  the  tents  were  put  up,  as  the  colonel  had  directed  that 
the  regiment  should  remain  here  for  a  day  or  two,  to  have 
the  horses  shod,  and  to  take  a  new  supply  of  rations.  We 
got  our  breakfast  quickly,  for  we  had  had  nothing  to  eat  since 
breakfast  the  morning  before ;  afterwards  we  were  dis- 
missed, and  went  into  the  town.  Though  not  so  large  as  we 
had  anticipated,  we  found  it  a  brisk  little  place,  with  a  few 
stores,  and  a  printing  office  of  a  weekly  paper.  The  ladies 
of  the  place  had  made  a  beautiful  American  flag,  forty  feet 
by  twenty,  which  remained  in  the  breeze  on  its  lofty  staff 
during  our  stay,  and  added  much  to  the  appearance  of  the 
village. 

The  men  of  the  regiment  had  expected  to  be  paid  off  here, 
two  months'  wages,  forty  dollars  each ;  it  being  the  custom 
in  the  army,  to  pay  the  troops  every  two  months  ;  but  they 
were  disappointed ;  the  pay-master  who  had  been  stationed 
here,  leaving  the  day  before  we  arrived.  The  citizens  in- 
formed us  that  the  Kentucky  cavalry,  which  had  left  a  few 
days  before,  (mentioned  as  taking  the  route  from  Memphis, 
ahead  of  us),  were  disappointed  in  the  same  way,  and  diffi- 
culty and  insubordination,  for  a  while,  seemed  about  to  en- 
sue. It  was,  indeed,  a  great  disappointment  to  hundreds  of 
our  men,  who  were  now  entirely  out  of  money,  and,  in  fact, 
had  been  borrowing,  expecting  to  pay  here.  Not  a  cent  had 
they  now,  even  to  get  any  clothing  washed,  and  no  prospect 
of  getting  any  beyond  this,  on  the  whole  route  to  Mexico. 
(And  so  it  happened  afterwards  :  not  a  cent  did  they  get  until 
after  our  arrival  at  Matamoras.  Money  became,  through 
Texas,  of  the  highest  value — was  freely  borrowed,  at  any 


SOLDIERS  WASHING.  57 

premium — and  the  smallest  amount  could  not,  often,  be  got 
at  all.) 

The  men  soon  returned  to  camp,  sour  and  angry,  but 
after  a  while  recovered  their  good  humor ;  and  as  the  day 
tvas  fine,  and  there  was  plenty  of  water, — and  soap  had 
•seen  issued  in  abundance, — they  proposed  to  wash  for 
themselves  ;  this  was  agreed  to  by  many,  and  they  went  at 
.t.  (In  the  regular  army,  four  women  are  allowed  to  attend 
each  company.  They  draw  their  rations  as  the  men.  They 
are  called  "  laundresses,"  and  their  duty  is  to  wash  for  the 
soldiers  ;  their  price  for  washing  being  fixed  by  the  officers, 
and  their  pay  received  on  pay  day,  deducted  from  the  wages 
of  the  soldier.  But  there  were  none  of  these,  as  far  as  our 
observation  extended,  among  the  volunteer  regiments.) 

From  the  springs  the  water  was  conveyed  by  troughs  to  a 
bath  house,  a  little  way  down  the  ravine ;  previous  to  enter- 
ing which,  however,  it  was  collected  in  a  plank  reservoir, 
twelve  feet  by  six,  and  two  deep ;  here  was  an  excellent 
place,  and  they  collected  around  it,  and  along  the  troughs, 
and  washed  and  scrubbed  amid  jokes  and  laughter.  One  de- 
clared that  he  never  knew  what  women  were  made  for  be- 
fore. Another  took  him  up  on  this  ungallant  expression,  de- 
claring that  since  he  had  found  out  that  washing  was  such 
hard  work,  he  thought  that  women  should  not  be  allowed  to 
do  it,  but  that  men  should  be  compelled  to  perform  it.  To 
this,  the  rest  all  agreed,  but  hoped  that  they  might  be  out  of 
the  way  when  such  a  measure  was  adopted.  After  several 
hours  they  got  through,  and  put  their  clothes  in  the  hot  sun 
to  dry :  there  was  a  little  difference  in  their  looks,  but  not 
much. 

We  remained  at  this  town  until  the  23d ;  nothing  oc- 
curred of  any  importance,  save  one  or  two  court  martials  on 
men  for  different  offences.  One  man  stabbed  another  in  a 
quarrel.  We  found  the  time  very  dull ;  after  the  first  day 
passing  heavily.  The  sun  was  very  hot,  and  in  those  ra- 
vines, the  cooling  breeze  could  not  come  ;  many  of  the  men 
became  sick,  and  we  were  rejoiced  to  hear  on  Sunday  morn- 
Ing,  August  23d,  the  order  to  "  strike  tents,  and  saddle  up." 


56  FULTOM. 

This«  was  quickly  performed,  and  we  soon  were  again  on  the 
inarch  toward  Fulton,  on  Red  river,  distance  fifteen  miles. 
Some  of  the  companies  went  on  thither,  and  commenced 
crossing,  while  the  remainder  of  us  encamped  three  miles 
from  the  town,  and  on  the  following  morning  went  on.  The 
crossing  was  extremely  slow ;  two  small  flats  being  the  only 
conveyance;  these  were  poled  over  by  negroes,  and  had  to 
perform  eighty  trips  each  to  take  the  regiment  and  the  wagon 
train  over,  a  slow  business,  and  our  own  company  did  not 
cross  until  late  in  this  day,  for  ten  horses  and  men  were  all 
that  could  be  taken  at  each  load. 

The  town  of  Fulton  has  nothing  attractive  in  its  appear- 
ance, being  small,  dilapidated,  and  extremely  dull  and 
lonesome.  Unhealthy,  and  totally  wanting  good  water ; 
the  river  water  is  brackish,  and  unfit  for  use ;  wells  sunk  here 
affording  only  the  same  kind,  cistern  water  is  all  that  is  fit  to 
drink.  Fulton  was  originally  laid  off  for  a  large  town.  It  is 
surrounded  by  the  most  splendid  lands  (Red  River  bottom), 
and  when  the  Raft,  a  collection  of  floating  timber,  that  had 
entirely  blocked  the  river  below,  was  opened  at  great  ex- 
pense by  the  government,  Fulton  promised  to  be  an  impor- 
tant place,  but  the  Raft  in  despite  of  all  endeavors  to  keep 
it  open,  closed  again  and  remains  closed ;  with  this  the  pros- 
pects of  Fulton  died;  the  rich  lands  of  the  surrounding 
country  fell  in  price  one  half.  Four  small  steamboats  ply  on 
the  river  above  the  Raft,  and  the  produce  they  bring  down 
is  hauled  across  the  bend  in  which  that  is  situated ;  then  re- 
shipped. 

When  all  the  regiment  had  crossed  the  river,  we  pur* 
sued  our  literal  winding  way  through  the  rich  bottom, 
and  marched  twenty-two  miles.  The  wagons  stuck  in  the 
mud  of  the  bottom,  and  did  not  get  up  to  camp  until  late  at 
night ;  so  of  course,  there  were  no  tents  or  supper.  Cross, 
tired,  and  sleepy,  each  stretched  his  blanket  under  the  oaks, 
after  feeding  his  horse  with  a  half  ration  of  forage,  all  that 
could  be  got,  wrapped  himself  up  and  slept  till  morning, 
though  chilled  with  the  heavy  dew. 

The  bugles  sounded  at  daylight.     The  wagons  had  got  up ; 


LINE  OF  TEXAS.  59 

we  soon  got  something  to  eat,  and  again  were  on  the  march, 
Company  G  was  second  in  line,  to-day,  Captain  Lenow's 
being  ahead ;  the  order  of  changing  companies,  on  the  march 
was,  that  the  advance  company  to-day,  goes  round  to  the  rear 
to-morrow ;  the  next  company  in  succession  being  the  ad- 
vance, and  going  to  the  rear  the  next  day;  each  company 
being  in  advance  one  day  in  every  ten.  The  column  and  train 
being  about  two  miles  in  length,  when  marching  in  two's,  the 
common  way,  there  was  a  great  advantage  in  being  the  ad- 
vance, in  avoiding  the  dense  clouds  of  dust  raised  by  so  many, 
and  getting  clear  water  from  the  streams  and  ponds,  which 
soon  for  the  middle  and  rear  became  very  muddy;  also  in 
getting  to  camp  in  better  season  at  night ;  and  getting  there 
first,  the  advance  had  the  opportunity  of  selecting  the 
better  ground,  though  that  depended  much  on  the  judgment  of 
the  captain  or  officer  in  command  of  each  company.  In  these 
was  a  difference.  When,  however,  the  camp  was  laid  off  reg- 
ularly, of  course  we  were  all  alike. 

Having  left  the  fine  lands  of  the  bottom,  we  marched  over 
small  "black  jack"  ridges,  lonely,  poor,  and  uninteresting. 
At  nine  o'clock,  A.  M.,  we  crossed  the  line  and  entered 
the  State  of  Texas.  The  line,  formerly  of  the  two  repub- 
lics, now  in  one,  runs  north  and  south ;  is  cleared  of  tim- 
ber, about  forty  feet  wide,  and  reminds  one  of  a  rail-road 
commenced.  The  march,  to-day,  was  twenty-two  miles  ;  no 
water  along  the  road  save  a  boggy  creek  near  camp,  in  which 
the  author  was  quickly  thrown,  by  the  miring  down  of  his 
horse ;  wetting  and  miring  himself,  clothing,  and  saddle, 
finely.  We  arrived  in  camp  at  More's,  a  small  store,  at  three 
o'clock,  P.  M. 

After  unsaddling  and  securing  our  horses  to  the  pines 
around,  according  to  usual  custom,  we  collected  in  little 
groups ;  seated  on  the  ground,  engaged  in  conversation,  or 
stretched  out  to  sleep  ;  but  we  were  soon  interrupted  by  the 
information  that  our  company  wagon  had  broken  down  be- 
hind,— no  prospect  for  supper  again, — and  besides  that,  it 
was  one  of  those  places  where  the  forage  procured,  had  to 
be  hauled  by  our  wagons  to  the  camp ;  which  often  hap- 


gO  SULPHUR  FORK. 

period,  on  account  of  the  person  from  whom  it  had  been  pur- 
chased, not  being  able  to  convey  it  thither. 

We  saddled  up  again,  and  each  man  went  for  his  own  that 
evening ;  distance  two  miles  or  more.  The  wagons,  how- 
ever, got  up  by  the  time  we  came  back,  and  all  was  again 
right.  Though  too  late  to  pitch  the  tents,  we  got  our  mess- 
bags,  containing  our  cooking  utensils  and  provisions,  and, 
with  plenty  of  dry  wood  and  first  rate  water,  we  were  per- 
fectly at  home ;  and  after  supper,  in  quite  a  strain  of  fun 
and  frolic,  singing,  laughing,  &c. 

The  next  morning  was  pleasant  and  cool.  We  were  a 
little  later  than  usual  in  starting,  the  wagon-train  delaying 
us.  The  method  of  the  march  of  the  train  was  this.  Each  of 
the  ten  companies  was  attended  by  its  own  wagon ;  twenty- 
eight  wagons  more,  called,  in  distinction,  the  train,  followed 
together.  These  contained  ammunition  and  other  articles  sel- 
dom disturbed.  The  remaining  wagons,  some  thirty-five  or 
forty,  followed  at  more  leisure.  This  arrangement,  however, 
was  altered  afterwards,  by  all  the  baggage  train  going  to- 
gether, with  the  rear  guard  following,  which  is  the  proper 
way. 

The  march  on  Monday  was  sixteen  miles,  over  a  poor,piney, 
uninteresting  section.  The  camping  ground  was  on  each 
side  of  the  Sulphur  Fork,  a  tributary  of  Red  river,  a  muddy, 
deep  stream  about  eighty  yards  wide.  Four  companies 
crossed  in  the  ferry  boat ;  six  remained  and  crossed  the  next 
morning.  We  were  supplied  with  fine  beef,  and  had  good 
suppers ;  but  the  forage  for  our  horses  was  scant.  There 
was  some  grass  under  the  tall  trees  that  helped  them  out, 
however. 

After  the  early  supper,  many  of  the  men  proposed  to  go 
bathing  in  the  deep  river;  but  they  abandoned  the  idea, 
when  ready  to  plunge  in,  on  seeing  the  rusty  head  of  a  large 
alligator  emerging  from  the  turbid  water,  as  if  to  see  what 
was  the  occasion  of  the  unusual  noise  on  the  banks  of  the 
river;  in  a  moment  or  two  slowly  sinking  again.  There  be- 
ing no  such  "  varmints  "  in  Tennessee,  most  of  the  men  had 
never  seen  one  before,  and  the  view  of  his  ugly  phiz  was 


ALLIGATORS.  61 

enough  for  them.  They  put  on  their  coats  and  left.  An- 
other man  came  down.  "  Have  you  been  in  already,"  said 
he.  "  No.  We  won't  go  in  ;  there  are  too  many  alligators," 
they  replied.  "Alligators!  d — m  them;  who  cares  for  them;" 
and  declaring  he  did  not,  stripped  off  and  dove  in ;  rising, 
popped  up  his  head,  "  come  on  boys ;  d — m  alligators ; 
whoop  ! "  and  he,  yelling  several  times,  true  Indian  fashion, 
dashed  out  into  the  middle  of  the  river ;  but  suddenly  turn- 
ing, in  silence,  and  with  every  nerve  strained,  struck  for  the 
shore  again,  which  he  reached  quickly,  and  hauling  himself 
from  the  river,  looked  back  with  earnestness.  "What  is  the 
matter,  Bill  ?  "  asked  a  dozen,  seeing  him  so  alarmed.  "A 
d-d-a  m-d  alligator,"  said  he,  catching  his  breath,  "  rubbed 
his  scaly  back  along  under  me."  The  group  of  men  were 
enjoying  their  laughter,  for  every  one  thought  that  only  a 
floating  branch  had  touched  him  in  the  muddy  stream;  but 
he  insisted  it  was  an  alligator.  He  dressed  and  put  out,  and 
the  bathing  was  ended. 

The  next  morning  the  company  was  with  difficulty  started 
on  the  march  in  season  to  secure  its  place  in  column ;  for  the 
captain,  the  first,  second,  and  second  assistant  lieutenants 
were  all  off  during  the  night,  nobody  knew  where ;  and  the 
orderly  sergeant,  having  such  an  example  as  this  set  him  by 
the  commissioned  officers,  thought  he  might  as  well  go  too, 
and  he  did  so ;  and  this  morning,  when  all  the  other  compa- 
nies were  saddling  up,  we  had  no  officer  on  the  ground  of 
higher  rank  than  second  sergeant,  and  so  the  company  re- 
mained still.  Presently  all  the  officers  were  on  the  ground 
together,  and  the  whole,  with  one  voice,  commanded,  "  Sad- 
dle up  !  men  ;  saddle  up  ; "  but  it  was  the  slowest  saddling 
that  had  been  done  so  far.  They  fretted,  threatened,  and 
fumed,  but  not  a  whit  faster  did  the  men  move.  If  they  had 
been  in  their  place,  the  men  would  have  been  in  season,  but 
their  neglect  of  duty  was  too  plain. 

The  march,  to-day,  was  through  dense,  still  forests ;  not  a 
sound  could  be  heard,  neither  the  hum  of  bee  nor  the  chirp 
of  bird  ;  not  a  living  thing  could  be  seen  ;  stillness  profound, 
solitude  complete ;  there  being  nothing  to  arrest  the  atten- 


62  SICKNESS  IN  CAMP. 

tion,  the  march  of  fifteen  miles  seemed,  in  length,  to  be  thirty; 
but  eo  it  was.  For  the  next  two  days  the  march  was  about 
the  same,  the  lands,  however,  becoming  much  better.  We 
passed  out  of  the  county  of  Bowie,  and  entered  that  of  Titus. 
To  the  south-east  of  Ud,  at  the  distance  of  twenty-five  or 
thirty  miles,  lay  Caddo  lake,  a  body  of  water  which  commu- 
nicates with  Red  river,  below  the  Raft.  The  lands  on  the 
northern  and  western  part  of  this  lake  are  said,  by  all  the 
settlers  here,  to  be  high,  and  very  fine;  good  water,  and  good 
health ;  with  steamboat  navigation  throughout  most  of  the 
year ;  the  land  cheap.  If  such  is  true,  and  all  here  agree 
in  it,  it  is  a  desirable  place  for  emigrants.  Whatever  the 
health  may  be  there,  however,  thirty  milesoff,  we  would  judge 
this  section  to  be  sickly. 

The  men  of  the  regiment  are  falling  sick  fast ;  those,  too 
sick  to  go  on  are  left  at  the  houses  along,  with  attendants,  to 
come  up  as  they  recover.  This  is  very  unpleasant  to  them, 
though  their  expenses  are  paid  by  the  quartermaster ;  many, 
sick  enough  to  stop,  by  their  urgent  request  are  hauled  along 
in  the  hospital-wagons ;  others  who  are  unwell,  yet  who  can 
keep  on  horseback,  are  allowed,  at  daylight,  to  ride  ahead, 
and  resting  the  middle  of  the  day,  to  come  up  to  camp  in 
the  evening;  there  are  many  of  these.  In  the  meantime, 
every  day  there  are  some  left,  and  others,  who  had  been  left, 
coming  up,  recovered ;  in  many  of  the  houses  we  find  mem- 
bers of  the  Kentucky  cavalry,  left  by  that  regiment,  sick. 
It  is  a  bad  place  to  be  sick  in  a  regiment  on  the  march.  The 
attention  which  one  gets  at  home,  cannot  be  found  here ;  no 
conveniences  can  be  procured.  Exposure  must  be  endured 
by  the  sick  and  well ;  the  ground  is  the  only  bed,  and  a  drink 
even  of  clear  water  cannot  be  had  at  all  times. 

Sunday,  August  30,  at  five  P.  M.,  we  encamped  on  Cypress 
creek,  a  dirty,  slow  stream ;  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  old 
Fort  Sherman.  Many  men  taken  sick  this  day  and  last 
night.  Four  of  our  company  were  left,  this  morning.  This 
day  was  hot,  and  the  march  tedious  ;  the  section  of  country 
passed  over  was  of  pretty  fair  land,  thinly  covered  by  a 
growth  of  large  oak  and  hickory,  but  it  was  not  well  watered. 


THE  PHILOSOPHER.  63 

We  came  to  but  one  brook  of  running  water  during  the  day; 
this  was  of  steep,  high  clay  banks ;  and  down  these,  some 
eight  feet,  the  horse  of  one  of  the  company  fell ;  and  so 
managed  his  fall,  that  he  turned  completely  over,  and  came 
down  into  the  mud  and  water  on  his  back ;  nor  could  he 
turn  over  then,  for  the  sloping  sides  of  the  ditch  held  him 
in  that  position,  while  the  muddy  water  rapidly  ran  over 
his  body  and  head ;  and  he  would  have  drowned,  in  a  mo- 
ment or  two,  had  not  his  rider,  who  fortunately  jumped  off 
as  he  fell,  sprung  into  the  ditch  and  held  his  nose  above  the 
water,  calling  loudly  for  assistance,  which  was  rendered  in  a 
moment,  by  twenty  or  more.  The  rider,  a  man  of  twenty- 
eight  or  twenty-nine  years,  tall,  slim,  thin-visaged,  sandy 
hair,  and  by  name  Ingram,  had  obtained,  in  the  camp,  the 
appellation  of  "the  philosopher,"  from  his  sedateness  and 
fondness  for  argument.  Cool  at  all  times,  he  was  so  now; 
while  others  laughed  at  the  singular  attitude  of  himself  and 
his  horse,  he  continued  to  hold  his  steed's  head  above  the 
water,  until  they  had  finished  their  "  guffaw,"  and  laughed 
out,  and  were  ready  to  assist  him;  they  soon  got  him  out; 
but  in  an  awkward  plight.  The  philosopher  raked  the  mud 
from  the  seat  of  the  saddle,  shook  it  from  his  camp  blanket, 
examined  his  saddle-bags,  and  finding  his  clothing  well  satu- 
rated, and  much  mud  on  the  top  of  it,  appeared  (from  his  steady 
countenance)  to  be  very  well  satisfied ;  said  not  a  word,  but 
with  his  boots  full  of  mud  and  water,  rose  into  his  saddle 
again,  and  rode  on,  the  same  philosopher ;  not  opening  his 
mouth  about  it  during  the  rest  of  the  march  of  the  day. 

The  regiment  started  early,  the  next  morning,  from  Cy- 
press creek.  The  author  did  not  accompany  it,  being  detailed 
on  the  "  wagon-guard,"  of  the  company,  for  the  day ;  and  as 
the  wagon  needed  repairs,  the  forge  was  stopped  with  it,  and 
the  carpenters  and  blacksmiths  set  to  work  upon  it  to  make 
a  new  axletree.  The  wagon-guard  must  always  remain 
with  the  wagon ;  is  composed  commonly  of  five  men,  who 
serve  for  the  day,  load  the  wagon  in  the  morning  with  the 
tents  and  mess  bags,  &c.,  go  with  it  during  the  day,  and  un- 
load it  at  its  arrival  at  the  encampment  for  the  night,  and,  if 


64  DETENTION  OF  WAGON  GUARD. 

it  breaks  down,  to  stay  with  it  until  it  can  be  brought  up. 
Such  was  our  case. 

The  axle-tree  was  not  finished  until  two  o'clock,  P.  M. , 
when  we  started  on ;  the  distance  to  the  next  camp  was 
said  to  be  twenty-eight  miles ;  we  had  little  hope  of  arriving 
there  on  that  afternoon;  and,  as  we  had  heard  that  there 
was  no  house  for  the  whole  way,  we  had  provided  a  large 
bag  of  corn,  picked  up  in  the  camp,  to  serve  our  horses  on 
that  night,  should  we  not. 

We  crossed  Cypress  creek,  and  were  then  in  the  county 
of  Upshur.  The  road  was  lonely  to  us,  having  been  accus- 
tomed so  long  to  be  with  the  whole  regiment.  The  lands, 
although  uncultivated,  were  pretty  good,  mostly  covered  with 
oak  and  hickory  ;  there  appeared  to  be  wild  turkies  in  abun- 
dance, and  wolves,  from  the  tracks  in  the  road.  We  killed 
a  turkey,  which  helped  us  out  at  night.  We  traveled  on  in 
hopes  of  getting  to  camp,  until  ten  o'clock,  P.  M.  The  moon 
was  bright,  and  the  road  was  good,  but  the  wagon  was  heavily 
loaded ;  and  the  mules  being  tired,  we  stopped  at  a  lovely 
little  creek,  of  good  water,  with  thick  trees  over  it,  under 
which,  on  the  bank,  we  determined  to  sleep ;  for  although 
we  had  fourteen  tents  in  the  wagon,  all  that  belonged  to  the 
company,  we  did  not  set  up  one.  We  built  fine  fires,  and 
having  fed  our  horses  with  the  corn  we  had  brought,  we 
proceeded  to  cook  our  turkey,  which  we  did  in  good  style, 
having  all  the  cooking  materials  and  provisions  of  the  whole 
company  with  us ;  which  they  were  obliged  to  go  without, 
that  night  and  the  following  morning. 

We  carefully  examined  every  mess  bag ;  we  found  plenty 
of  pork  and  bread  in  the  first ;  a  good  camp  kettle  and  cof- 
fee pot,  but  no  roasted  coffee  ;  so  we  looked  further  ;  in  an- 
other we  found  plenty  of  coffee  roasted,  which  suited  us  ex- 
actly, and  a  paper  of  salt,  which  had  been  a  scarce  article 
for  several  days  ;  continuing  our  investigations  from  bag  to 
bag,  we  found  sugar  plenty,  and  a  little  bag  of  rice,  a  part 
of  which  we  immediately  appropriated  to  the  benefit  of  our 
turkey-stew,  during  this  time  simmering  over  the  fire  ;  but 
on  opening  the  captain's  mess-chest  we  found  a  prize,  a  pa- 


f       SUPPER.  6fr 

per  of  ground  pepper,  and  a  bag  of  flour.  We  rendered  our 
thank*  for  the  captain's  provident  care,  but  he  was  too  far 
off  to  hear  us  ;  nor  would  he  have  been  much  obliged  to  us 
if  he  had  known  it. 

Our  stew  was  progressing  finely;  Carr,  a  short  thick  set 
man,with  a  keen  eye  and  quick  look,  one  of  the  guard,  acted 
as  cook ;  he  carried  on  with  his  cooking  an  interesting  account 
of  his  learning  how  to  do  it,  when  he  was  a  Sac  Indian  ;  he 
said,  he  was  adopted  into  the  tribe  of  Sacs  and  Foxes  ;  had  a 
young  squaw  given  him  for  a  wife ;  lived  with  them  nearly 
two  years  ;  went  on  a  trapping  expedition,  with  a  party  of 
those  indians,  in  the  country  of  the  Winnebagoes ;  was 
surprised  by  these,  \vho  killed  and  scalped  three  of  the  Sacs, 
and  the  rest  seeing  themselves  far  outnumbered,  ran  away, 
up  along  the  wooded  bank  of  the  small  lake  at  which  they 
had  been  trapping ;  but,  unluckily  for  him,  he  had  cut  his 
foot,  the  night  before,  with  a  hatchet,  while  making  a  paddle 
for  a  canoe,  and  could  not  run  very  fast ;  he  endeavored  to 
escape  by  taking  up  a  ravine,  running  from  the  lake,  but  he 
was  pursued  by  a  Winnebago,  whom  he  had  seen  kill  one 
of  the  Sacs.  He  turned  and  fired  at  his  antagonist,  but 
missed  him;  he  then  sprang  behind  a  small  tree,  to  load;  he 
saw  the  Indian  raise  his  rifle,  and  take  a  steady  aim,  and  he 
endeavored  to  compress  himself  behind  the  tree,  but  it  was 

too  small;  his  right  shoulder  projected, here  Carr,  taking 

a  spoonful  of  the  turkey  stew,  tasted  it,  and  pronounced  it 
done,  and  first  rate,  and  taking  it  off,  we  went  at  it  in  a 
hurry.  After  which,  for  it  was  late  at  night,  and  we  were 
tired,  we  spread  out  our  blankets  and  were  soon  asleep. 

As  for  the  tale,  it  never  was  finished.  In  the  morning,  af- 
ter another  pull  at  the  mess  bags,  for  breakfast,  we  rolled  on, 
and  at  ten  o'clock  we  came  to  the  last  night's  encampment 
of  the  regiment.  The  fires  had  mouldered  down  in  beds  of 
coals;  we  stopped  a  little  while,  and  again  pushed  on.  We 
called  at  the  next  house,  got  some  milk,  but  could  get  no 
bread ;  the  woman  told  us  that  they  had  to  send  thirty  miles 
to  mill — a  horse  mill,  at  that ;  fifty  miles,  in  another  direc- 
tion, to  a  blacksmith's  shop  ;  forty  miles  to  the  nearest  post- 
5 


66  UPSHUR  COUNTY. 

office,  and  seventy-five  miles  to  a  store,  for  sugar,  coffee,  cal- 
ico; and  not  even  a  paper  of  pins,  or  a  spool  of  thread,  could 
be  got  under  that  distance.  Yet  her  house  is  fixed  upon  as 
the  county-seat  of  Upshur  county ;  and  on  the  following 
Monday,  the  first  court  was  to  be  held  there  ; — great  court- 
house,— one  log-room,  about  sixteen  feet  square,  and  eight  feet 
pitch,  was  all,  and  that  had  a  bed  in  it.  Leaving  this,  we 
rode  on,  overtook  the  wagon,  and,  by  steady  traveling,  got 
into  camp  at  sunset.* 

•  Very  happy  was  our  company  to  see  us  come  with  the  desired  wagon.  Their  appe- 
tites were  sharp,  from  long  fasting,  and  they  immediately  commenced  preparations  for 
rapper.  The  camp  we  found  in  an  excellent  situation,  on  the  side  of  a  large  hill,  at  the 
foot  of  which  was  a  fine  spring,  and  near  that  the  rude  residence  of  as  savage  and  un- 
couth a  family  of  whites,  as  could  be  found  on  the  continent  of  America.  The  scowling 
countenance  of  the  rough-garbed  men,  showed  them  fit  for  robbers  or  murderers.  The 
women,  and  there  were  several,  had  torn  and  dirty  dresses,  dishevelled  hair,  wild  appear- 
ance, rude  and  insolent  manners.  They  had  long  been  resident  in  this  section,  and,  as  the 
author  learned  the  following  morning,  held  no  intercourse  with  their  neighbors — made  long 
excursions,  off  no  one  knew  where — lived  in  plenty,  in  their  rude  style,  •with  money  enough, 
and  no  one  knew  how  they  obtained  it; — were  open  advocates  of  Mexican  government, 
and  avowed  friends  to  Santa  Anna.  On  the  next  morning,  Tuesday,  September  1st,  the 
author  was  again  obliged  to  fall  behind  the  regiment ;  being  ordered  to  take  charge  of  three 
»ick  men,  unable  to  ride.  The  regiment  formed,  and  left.  He  endeavored  to  obtain  admit- 
tance, for  his  sick,  into  the  houses  mentioned,  representing  to  the  half-savage  men  and  women, 
the  state  of  the  soldiers;  but  he  might  as  well  have  endeavored  to  excite  feelings  of  com- 
passion and  benevolence  in  a  den  of  wolves.  Though  the  men  were  quite  ill,  two  burning 
with  high  fevers,  they  were  obliged  to  mount  their  horses,  and  go  on,  about  four  miles,  to 
the  next  settler's  house.  We  found  him  a  Tennesseean ;  a  man  of  feeling,  who  accommo- 
dated the  sick  ones,  for  several  days,  to  the  bett  of  his  ability.  He  informed  us  of  the  cha- 
tacter  of  his  rough  neighbor*. 


.'tt 


CHAPTER    II. 

WE  did  not  again  reach  the  regiment  until  the  follow- 
ing Tuesday,  the  8th  of  September ;  during  which  time  it 
had  marched  out  of  the  county  of  Upshur,  and  through 
those  of  Rush,  Smith  and  Cherokee;  crossing  the  Sabine  river 
the  day  upon  which  we  were  left.  Two  of  the  sick  ones  got 
better  the  day  following,  and  went  on ;  the  other  was  quite 
sick  several  days,  but  then  became  able  to  ride.  We  crossed 
the  Sabine  on  the  5th,  and  rode  some  thirty  miles,  stopping 
at  night  at  a  rough  shanty,  where  we  found  four  men  of 
the  Kentucky  cavalry,  who  had  been  sick.  They  appeared 
to  be  in  no  hurry  to  get  up  with  their  regiment,  which 
must  have  been  then  two  hundred  miles  ahead.  We  left 
there  early  on  the  morning  of  the  6th,  and  rode  near  forty 
miles,  stopping  at  night  in  Cherokee  county,  at  the  house 
of  an  old  settler,  whose  name  was  Bran  ton.  Here  we  were 
joined  by  six  more  of  the  regiment,  who  had  remained  be- 
hind sick.  We  fared  well  that  night.  Branton  was  appa- 
rently wealthy,  and  lived  in  comfort.  The  section  of  coun- 
try in  which  he  resided,  was,  by  far,  of  the  best  lands  that  we 
have  seen  since  we  have  been  on  the  march  :  much  of  it  is 
of  the  fertile  red  soil*,  called,  in  distinction,  the  red  lands. 
There  are  a  few  small  prairies  of  two  or  three  hundred  acres 
each ;  the  soil  of  these  is  black  and  very  fertile.  The  water 
is  good  and  abundant ;  timber  plentiful. 

We  nad  been  informed  that  in  the  more  southern  and 
western  parts  of  Texas,  timber  was  scarce  ;  but  a  better 
farming  country  than  this,  one  would  hardly  ask.  The  near- 
est navigation  to  Cherokee  county  on  the  west,  is  the  Trin- 

(67) 


QQ  BRANTON'S. 

ity  river,  seventy  miles  distant ;  on  the  east,  Red  rivei    at 
Shrevesport,  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  miles. 

Our  horses  being  well  fed,  the  next  morning  were  in  fine 
condition  to  travel.  It  had  rained  a  little  during  the  night., 
and  there  was  no  dust  to  annoy  us.  As  this  day  proved  af- 
terwards "  a  day  of  days,"  not  to  be  forgotten  by  any  member 
of  the  Tennessee  cavalry,  any  one  of  whom  will  now,  if  the 
*  rainy  day "  is  mentioned  to  him,  shrug  his  shoulders  at 
the  thought  of  it,  the  description  is  given,  as  written  that 

evening. 

After  a  good  breakfast,  hot  coffee,  milk,  chickens,  fine  ham, 
eggs  and  potatoes,  and  most  excellent  biscuit,  we  called  for 
our  bill,  and  were  surprised  to  find  ourselves  charged  only 
seventy-five  cents  each  for  man  and  horse.  Our  horses  were 
brought  out  in  perfect  trim,  and  we  shook  our  old  friend 
Branton  by  the  hand,  and  set  out  for  the  regiment,  which 
had  camped  that  night  twenty  miles  ahead,  and  was  to  go 
this  day  twenty  miles  further ;  as  a  traveler  who  had  come 
by  it  informed  us.  We  wished  to  go  on  the  whole  forty  miles, 
and  be  in  camp  at  night,  for  it  became  unpleasant  to  be  so 
far  in  the  rear.  The  man  who  had  been  sick  thought  he 
would  be  able  to  ride  it,  and  wre  struck  out  at  a  brisk  pace. 

The  morning  was  cool  and  cloudy,  pleasant  for  riding. 
As  we  went  on,  full  of  life  and  sport,  our  attention  was  con- 
tinually attracted  by  the  beauty  of  the  country  and  the  fer- 
tility of  the  soil,  and  our  surprise  excited  that  it  should  be 
so  thinly  settled.  Small  prairies  and  timbered  swells  of 
land  succeeded  each  other  in  infinite  variety.  Branton  had 
informed  us  that,  though  the  lands  were  fine,  timber 
plenty,  and  water  abundant,  it  was  very  thinly  settled,  so 
much  so,  that  we  should  pass  but  one  house  (four  miles  from 
his)  for  thirty-three  miles  ;  one  more,  he  said,  was  near  the 
camp  of  the  regiment  for  that  night,  some  twenty  miles 
ahead,  but  that  we  should  not  see  it  from  the  road. 

When  we  came  to  the  house  at  four  miles,  we  stopped  a 
few  moments,  and  then  rode  on.  After  going  a  half  mile 
further,  the  sky  very  rapidly  darkened,  and  seemed  to  hang 
low  above  us.  It  was  a  subject  of  remark,  and  we  expected 


THE  "RAINY* DAY."  69 

another  shower.  Soon  it  began  to  rain  a  little,  and  there 
was  a  strange  stillness  in  the  dark,  murky  air.  We  drew  on 
our  blanket  coats  and  blankets,  looking  for  it  to  hold  up 
shortly,  in  the  meantime  adding  to  our  speed  a  little.  The 
rain  steadily  increased,  until  it  appeared  to  pour  down  in  in- 
numerable streams,  perpendicularly  and  constantly,  like  the 
streams  of  water  in  a  shower  bath;  the  darkness  was  still 
deeper.  In  a  half  hour  more  the  wind  rose,  without  lessen- 
ing the  torrents  of  water;  and  it  became  more  uncomforta- 
ble from  the  rain  being  driven  with  such  force.  We  hoped 
that  such  a  deluge  would  soon  exhaust  itself,  but  we  were 
mistaken ;  it  continually  increased.  This  was  the  first 
scene. 

The  wind  still  rose  in  power,  and  blew  directly  in  our 
faces  with  great  strength ;  the  streams  of  water  borne  by 
it  came  upon  us  in  an  oblique  direction.  It  now  became 
very  difficult  for  our  horses  to  make  much  progress  against 
it ;  they  reduced  their  speed  to  a  walk,  and  we  would  not 
urge  them  faster.  We  expected,  however,  that  it  would 
shortly  be  done,  and  that  the  black  heavens  would  clear 
away.  But  it  was  not  so :  the  wind  increased  in  violence  still, 
and  swept  across  the  prairies  with  irresistible  force,  leveling 
the  long  grass  to  the  earth,  and  beating  it  down  beneath  the 
weight  of  the  torrents  ;  it  rushed  into  the  mighty  oaks  on  the 
points  of  the  timber,  as  they  ended  on  the  prairies,  broke 
and  tore  off  the  stoutest  limbs  and  branches,  throwing  them 
into  the  air  with  such  power  as  the  whirlwind  only  uses. 
The  smaller  branches,  stripped  and  tore  like  feathers  from  the 
trunks,  fell  around,  over,  and  upon  us ;  filled  the  road  and  co- 
vered the  ground.  The  rain,  instead  of  diminishing  at  all, 
increased  in  quantity,  and  beat  against  us  with  such  force 
that  it  required  the  exercise  of  much  strength  to  keep  our 
saddles,  and  our  horses  with  great  exertion  progressed 
against  it. 

Yet  on,  then,  we  must  go.  Trees  were  blocking  the  road, 
falling  before  and  behind  us,  so  near  by,  and  such  was  the 
terror  of  our  horses,  that,  trembling  in  every  limb,  they  some- 
times, for  a  moment,  refused  to  proceed.  Still,  slowly  and 


70  THE  »  RAINY  DAY." 

silently  we  went  on,  each  man  with  his  head  bent  down,  his 
blanket  drawn  closely  around  him,  urging  his  horse  onward, 
both  horse  and  rider  leaning  to  the  powerful  blasts  as  they 
swept  by. 

Not  a  moment  did  the  storm  abate  its  strength ;  not  a 
moment  did  the  torrents  of  rain  lessen  in  quantity.  The  ac- 
cumulated water  rushed  down  the  sides  of  the  hills,  not  in 
rivulets  only,  but  apparently  in  broken  sheets.  The  prairies 
between  them  were  unable  to  take  it  off,  and  held  it  dammed 
up  by  the  grass,  and  they  were  turned,  for  the  time,  into  shal- 
low lakes.  The  protections  that  we  had  drawn  on  were  fu- 
tile and  useless,  for,  driven  by  the  force  of  the  hurricane,  the 
water  oozed  in  streams  through  every  thread. 

Still,  wading  through  the  water  in  the  prairies,  and  with 
difficulty  crossing  the  furious  torrents  in  the  face  of  such  a 
blast,  we  slowly  proceeded.  The  storm  raged  in  all  its 
fury. — Hour  after  hour,  we  continued  to  hope  that  it  would 
soon  spend  its  force ;  but  hour  after  hour  it  still  remained 
unabated. 

After  a  long  and  tedious  ride,  cold,  wet,  hungry,  and 
exhausted,  we  arrived  at  the  camping  ground  that  had  been 
occupied  the  last  night  by  the  regiment.  Not  a  soul  was 
there. — We  could  not  see  more  than  a  dozen  yards  or  so, 
around,  on  account  of  the  streams  descending  being  blown 
into  mist  in  our  faces,  by  the  powerful,  irregular  surges  of 
wind.  We  should  not  have  known  the  encampment,  but 
for  the  corn,  shucks,  and  fodder,  borne  by  the  rushing  water 
down  by  our  horses'  feet,  catching  and  drifting  against 
the  fallen  trees,  that  were  now  across  the  road  in  every 
direction.  No  shelter  could  we  find;  we  did  not  know 
where  to  look  for  the  house  that  was  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  this  encampment.  It  was  folly  to  stay  a  moment 
in  the  timber,  where  the  large  branches  were  cracking. 
broken  off,  and  falling  around,  and  we  moved  on.  Our 
horses  now  were  much  fatigued— Not  a  word  had  been 
spoken  for  hours,  by  any  one  of  the  party— The  storm, 
for  a  few  moments,  lulled  its  strength,  and  the  rain  seemed 
to  abate ,  so  that  we  could  hear  the  rushing  torrents  around 


THE  "RAINY  DAY."  71 

us  on  the  hills,  and  for  a  few  moments  could  see  farther  than 
before.  Every  one  raised  his  head  to  look,  but  the  sight  was 
not  pleasant :  the  sky  was  darker  than  ever ;  the  outline  of 
no  cloud  could  be  seen  :  but  the  whole  seemed  drawn  down 
closely  over  and  around  us,  in  mist  and  blackness,  so  near 
that  the  tall,  stout  pines,  in  which  we  now  entered  on  the 
hills,  seemed  to  touch  the  murky  darkness  above. 

The  hurricane  was  but  rousing  its  energies ;  and,  with  the 
darkness  suddenly  increasing,  it  burst  upon  us  with  intensity 
doubled ;  with  force  and  appearance  that  cannot  be  de- 
scribed. The  tall,  heavy  pines  bent  above  us  far  over,  return- 
ed, bent  again  before  the  blast ;  many  of  them,  unable  to 
stand  against  it,  fell,  one  after  another,  before  it ;  so  heavy 
their  trunks,  we  could  hear  the  crash  of  the  fall  above  the 
storm.  Our  horses,  as  it  were,  leaned  against  the  wind  and 
rain ;  stopped,  pushed,  and  stopped  again.  If,  now,  they 
stepped  one  foot  out  of  the  beaten  track,  they  sunk  to  their 
shoulders  in  the  earth,  so  soft  had  the  soil  become,  to  the  depth 
of  three  feet  or  more,  from  the  deluge  of  water  that  for  eight 
hours  had  been  pouring  upon  its  peculiar  strata. 

The  tornado  continued  unabated,  but  was  blowing  now 
from  nearly  south,  having  changed  to  an  opposite  course 
from  that  at  which  it  commenced.  Another  long,  long 
hour  it  was  the  same,  and  we  arrived  at  a  creek,  but  now 
an  overwhelming  torrent,  carrying  before  it  with  resist- 
less fury  the  largest  trees,  tore  up  by  the  roots,  whirling  them 
by  with  a  rush  and  sound  that  was  frightful  to  look  upon.  But 
what  was  to  be  done.  With  great  exertions  we  made  our- 
selves heard  by  one  another,  and  our  situation  was  such  that 
all  were  for  swimming.  We  plunged  in  :  the  first  gained 
the  other  bank ;  the  second  was  swept,  horse  and  rider 
down  the  torrent ;  the  third  was  going  down  also,  but  threw 
himself  off  his  horse  and  let  him  go,  and  grasping  a  log  that 
was  caught,  got  over.  The  author's  horse,  by  desperate 
exertions,  held  his  way,  was  struck  by  a  floating  log,  and 
turned  quite  round;  but,  recovering,  he  came  over.  The 
others,  by  watching  their  time,  and  seeing  the  safer  place  by 
our  passage,  crossed  better.  The  horse  of  the  second,  that  had 


72  "THE  RAINY  DAY." 

been  swept  down  the  torrent,  was  caught  against  a  partly 
fallen  tree  ;  the  rider  got  out,  and,  by  the  assistance  of  the 
rest,  he  extricated  the  horse,  who  swam  ashore ;  fortunately, 
the  horse  of  the  third  saved  himself.  Not  a  word,  all  this 
time,  since  the  passage  commenced,  had  been  spoken. 

The  storm  began  to  abate  then  quite  perceptibly.  To  our 
joy,  we  saw  the  house  that  we  had  been  told  of.  We  got  to 
it,  and,  exhausted,  stripped  our  horses,  and  sheltered  our- 
selves under  its  roof;  and  never  did  men  feel  more  relieved. 
We  found,  here,  many  men  that  had  returned  from  the  ranks 
of  the  passing  regiment,  and  housed  themselves  from  the 
force  of  the  furious  tempest. 

Mr.  Abelj  the  proprietor,  informed  us  that  the  regiment 
had  got  through  the  tall  timber  and  crossed  the  creek,  and 
had  passed  his  house  early  in  the  morning,  before  the  hurri- 
cane came  on ;  and  stated  that  this  had  been  the  most  ter- 
rific day  that  had  been  experienced  during  his  residence  here, 
which  had  been  some  eighteen  years. 

It  continued  to  rain  at  intervals,  quite  hard,  not  ceasing 
until  late  at  night.  Abel  thought  that  the  regiment  must  be 
in  a  very  disagreeable  situation,  for  he  said  that  the  ground 
of  this  section,  during  a  heavy  rain,  became  so  miry  that  it 
would  be  impossible  for  the  wagons  to  get  up  to  the  encamp- 
ment, which  was  about  nine  miles  distant,  on  the  Angeline 
river.  He  accommodated  us  as  well  as  he  could  during  the 
night.  We  lay  on  the  floor,  in  our  wet  clothes,  and,  being 
so  very  tired,  slept  well ;  and  in  the  morning,  after  an  early 
breakfast,  we  set  off  for  the  regiment. 

This  morning  was  clear  and  pleasant ;  the  road  was  set- 
tled and  firm.  We  soon  came  within  five  miles  of  the  river, 
where  we  found  a  wagon  mired  down;  a  little  farther,  an- 
other, and  another ;  and  finally  almost  every  one,  some  just 
getting  out,  some  going  along  to  camp.  From  the  teamsters 
we  learned  that  only  a  few  of  the  wagons  succeeded  in  get- 
ting to  camp  last  night ;  consequently,  the  regiment  were 
forced,  in  the  heavy  rain,  to  be  without  tents  or  food.  After 
being  in  such  a  storm  all  day,  it  was  hard  to  be  obliged  to 
sleep  in  it  at  night,  and  fasting  besides ;  but  so  it  was,  and, 


THE  "RAINY  DAY.*  73 

as  we  afterwards  learned,  having  no  fires,  on  account  of  the 


* 


rain. 

We  came  near  the  camp,  which,  though  we  could  not  see 
on  account  of  the  thick  bushes,  we  could  hear  plainly.  A 
strange,  confused  murmur  came  from  it,  very  unlike  the  com- 
mon busy  but  still  encampment.  We  rode  in,  and  a  curious 
scene  was  before  us.  A  noisy,  confused,  dirty,  muddy  mul- 
titude of  men,  horses  and  wagons  was  on  the  hill,  from  the 
creek  up, — crowded  and  so  mingled  that  there  was  not  the 
slightest  order  or  discipline,  nor  the  least  indication  of  it. — 
The  ground  was  worked  up  into  deep,  stiff  mud,  precisely  fit 
for  making  the  whole  encampment  into  a  vast  brick-yard, 
and  all  the  men  looked  as  though  they  had  been  at  work  in 
such  a  place. — Mud  was  on  their  faces  ; — their  clothes  were 
caked  with  it ; — officers'  uniforms  were  covered  with  it ; — 
—  horses  all  dirty  and  yellow  with  the  same  ;  —  wagons 
bedaubed  and  spattered  over,  and  harness  and  all  things 
else  in  the  same  predicament. 

Disorder  reigned  supreme. — At  the  foot  of  the  hill,  the  An- 
geline  river,  raised  to  an  overwhelming  rapid  torrent,  bore 
every  thing  before  it  on  its  muddy  waters,  and  effectually 
prohibited  any  further  passage  until  it  should  subside. 

On  the  higher  part  of  the  hill,  among  the  crowd,  and  over- 
looking all,  If  stopped  my  horse,  and  gazed  with  astonish- 
ment around  and  below  me.  To  dismount  would  have  been 
to  stand  to  my  knees  in  mud,  neither  was  there  a  dry  place, 
that  I  could  see.  In  front  of  me  were  the  carbines,  pistols, 
swords,  saddles,  bridles,  and  baggage,  perhaps  of  thirty  men, 
— all  in  the  mud, — some  covered  with  it; — horses  were 
crowded  around,  stamping  more  in  the  same. — Close  to  the 
horses'  heels  was  a  fire,  lately  built,  at  which  twenty  or  more 

*  This  had  been  a  terrible  day ;  no  one  in  the  regiment  could  call  to  mind  the  experience 
of  any  such  one  before  it.  Many  readers  will  remember  its  occurrence  from  the  loss  of 
the  steam  ship  New  York ;  which  was  totally  broken  to  pieces,  by  the  violence  of  the  gale 
and  sea,  and  sunk  at  her  anchors,  far  out  from  land :  eighteen  lives  lost.  The  regiment  ws» 
near  the  centre  of  the  range  of  the  hurricane,  as  it  passed  over  Texas. 

t  The  reader  -will  excuse  the  frequent  occurrence  of  the  egotistical  pronoun,  •'  I,"  in  thi« 
scene,  and  also  the  same  on  page  171,  as  those  accounts  cannot  easily  be  g'  /en,  without 
its  use 


74  THE  "RAINY  DAY." 

men  were  crowded  round,  trying  to  cook  something  to  eat, 
for  the  company  wagons  were  just  coming  up,  and  I  found 
that  three-fourths  of  the  regiment  had  had  nothing  to  eat  since 
the  morning  before  ; — had  traveled  yesterday  in  the  storm  all 
the  day,  and  slept  in  the  rain  and  mud  all  the  night ;— all 
hungry. — Others  were  endeavoring  to  dry  themselves  and 
their  wet  and  muddy  clothing,  taken  from  their  saddle-bags, 
by  hanging  the  articles  around  the  fire. 

Of  the  men,  there  was  not  a  half  dozen  of  any  one  com- 
pany at  one  fire  ; — they  were  of  all  the  companies  mingled. 
All  were  noisy;  all  muddy;  all  hungry;  some  intoxicated; 
every  one  looked  as  though  he  had  been  so. — Fires  were 
lighted  around,  every  where,  where  space  could  be  found, 
to  the  right,  front,  rear,  and  left,  surrounded  by  the  same  dis- 
orderly, noisy  groups,  the  same  piles  of  arms  and  baggage, 
stamped  in  the  mire  :  here  a  carbine,  there  a  sword ;  here  a 
saddle,  there  a  blanket. 

I  saw  Lieutenant-colonel  Allison  sitting  on  his  horse  near 
me,  with  a  troubled  countenance,  surveying  the  scene. 
From  the  whole  ground  came  up,  and  intermingled  a  great 
variety  of  sounds  ; — of  many  quarreling  and  threatening, — 
scores  cursing  bitterly  and  loudly, — of  many  more  laughing  in 
drunken  mirth, — of  hundreds  more,  stamping  to  and  fro  in  the 
mud,  hunting  for  other  persons,  and  for  articles  lost,  and  call- 
ing loudly  out  for  them  ; — of  wagoners  yelling  and  cursing 
at  their  teams,  in  their  endeavors  to  get  them  through  the 
crowd,  and  the  mud.  Such  a  variety,  so  intermingled,  made 
a  perfect  Babel  of  noise,  and  confusion.  Near  me  were  five 
men  in  the  rnud,  asleep ;  one  of  them  I  saw  belonged  to  our 
own  company.  I  called  loudly  to  him,  again,  and  again.  Uri- 
der  the  combined  influence  of  fatigue,  hunger,  and  liquor,  he 
was  soundly  asleep,  and  an  earthquake  would  hardly  have 
awakened  him.  I  kept  my  position  ;  to  move  round  in  the 
confusion  was  of  no  avail,  and  for  some  time  I  gazed  on  the 
scene.  I  suddenly  saw  Sergeant  Hovey  of  my  company  in  the 
busy  crowd,  and  succeeded  in  making  him  hear  me,  after 
many  efforts,  and  he  came  towards  me,  glad  to  see  me  again; 
-^•directed  me  to  follow  him  to  a  place,  where  I  could  get  down 


THE  "RAINY  DAY."  75 

clear  of  mud ;  my  horse  with  difficulty  was  able  to  get  along 
through  the  crowded  confusion,  and  every  step  went  deep 
in  the  mire,  till  about  the  distance  of  two  hundred  yards, 
Hovey  led  me  to  a  log,  where  I  got  off. — "  Did  you  ever  see 
the  like  ?"  said  he.  "I  never  did,"  replied  I,  "  what  does  it  all 
mean?"  —  "I  will  tell  you  the  whole  presently,  for  I 
see  that  it  will  be  some  time  before  we  can  get  away  from 
here ;  but  tie  your  horse  to  the  root  of  that  log,  where  he  now 
stands ;  the  mud  is  deep,  but  it  is  deeper  all  around,  and  I  will 
get  him  a  bundle  of  the  fodder,  that  I  put  into  this  thick  bush 
last  night,  to  keep  the  rain  off  my  face." — This  he  did,  and 
sitting  down  at  the  end  of  the  log,  where  he  had  a  fire  in  the 
morning,  he  commenced. — "  That  terrible  storm  yesterday 
was  the  cause  of  all  this.  We  left  camp  in  the  morning  very 
early,  and  came  into  that  tall  pine  timber,  you  saw  this  side, 
before  it  rained  at  all,  and  then  it  rained  gently  for  some- 
time. We  came  through  that  and  crossed  a  deep  dry  branch 
near  to  Abel's  house,  back  here  a  few  miles,  before  the  storm 
come  down  on  us  ;  but  when  it  did  come,  it  came  a  whirling ; 
blew, — Oh  !  Crockett !  it  took  both  hands  to  hold  your  hair 
on  ! — and  rain, — well,  now,  it  did  some  of  the  tallest  kind  of 
raining ! — it  appeared  as  though  it  was  never  going  to 
stop. — The  bungs  must  have  been  out  of  the  hogsheads  up 
above,  for  it  did  not  come  in  drops,  but  just  poured  down  in 
the  biggest  sort  of  streams.  The  men  were  all  soaked 
through,  but  laughed  at  that. — It  became  very  muddy  ; — the 
wagons  began  to  stick.  If  one  stopped,  and  another  tried  to 
pass  it,  it  mired  right  down. — If  your  horse  stepped  off  the 
road  a  foot,  he  would  mire  down ;  many  of  the  men  were 
mired  down  at  the  same  time.  The  wagons  at  last  all 
stuck,  but  one  or  two,  and  when  we  got  up  here,  we  found 
the  corn  and  fodder  hauled  here  the  day  before,  and  that  was 
all.  The  men  hitched  their  horses,  and  fed  them ;  but  could 
not  make  any  fires,  for  the  rain  put  them  out,  and  we  had  to 
take  it,  as  it  come.  We  would  not  have  cared  for  supper,  if 
we  could  have  got  the  tents.  We  doubled  ourselves  up,  and 
sat  on  the  ground,  with  our  blankets  over  our  heads,  and 
took  the  rain.  Some  of  the  men  suffered  a  great  deal.  It 


76  THE  "RAIHY  DAT." 

was  soon  found  out,  that  there  were  two  barrels  of  liquor 
over  the  creek,  at  that  little  shanty  you  see  yonder;  and 
every  man  that  could  raise  a  dime,  got  a  half  pint,  and  some 
a  quart,  and  those  who  had  no  money  had  plenty  of  liquor 
given  them  by  others  ;  every  one  drank ;  but  all  were  so 
cold  and  wet,  and  exhausted,  that  the  liquor  did  not  ope- 
rate quickly ;  and  they  drank  again  and  again  ;  as  the  rain 
poured  down,  on  the  outside,  they  turned  the  liquor  down  on 
the  inside  ;  it  was,  to  them,  rest,  supper,  and  shelter  ;  and 
all  hands,  before  long,  were  drunk  ; — every  body  was  drunk, 
last  night ; — as  I  heard  the  Colonel  say  this  morning  that 
out  of  the  thousand  men,  teamsters  and  all,  in  the  regiment, 
there  were  eleven  hundred  intoxicated. 

— "  The  ground  became  so  soft,  that  the  horses  mired  down 
where  we  had  hitched  them ;  and  the  halters  had  to  be  cut ; 
and  most  of  the  horses  were  loose  all  night ;  hundreds  were 
plunging  and  floundering  about  among  us  in  the  rain,  and 
darkness ; — the  men  were  whooping  and  yelling,  like  Indians, 
all  night ;  and  have  got  mixed  up,  and  are  not  sober  yet ;  so 
that  nothing  can  be  done.  Those  that  slept  at  all,  did  so 
in  the  mud  and  rain,  overpowered  by  liquor;  but,  till  day- 
light, there  was  not  much  sleep  ;  everybody  was  moving,  till 

you  see  how  worked  up  the  ground  is "     "  Well,  Hovey, 

were  the  field  officers  'tight,'  too?"  "Why,  I  don't  know;  I 
did  not  see  them; — never  heard  they  were; — but  I  did  not  see 
anybody  that  was  sober,  at  twelve  o'clock  last  night ;  neither 
have  I  heard  of  anybody  that  was ; — should  like  to  see  the 
man  that  was  so.  For  my  part,  I  did  not  drink  any,  at  first ; 
but  I  got  so  very  cold,  and  chilly,  that  I  commenced,  too  ;  I 
was  the  most  sober  man  I  saw,  and  I  could  hardly  navigate ; — 
I  tell  you,  there  was  nobody  that  I  saw,  sober,  in  the  rain 
and  mire. — As  for  the  colonel,  lieutenant-colonel,  and  major, 
they  fared  as  badly  as  any  of  us— shouldn't  wonder,  if  they 
were  as  '  tight;' — don't  know,  though  ;— can't  see  how  they 

could  avoid  it "     «  Well,  Hovey,  where  is  our  company  ?" 

"Where  all  of  the  companies  are — everywhere — over  the 
whole  ground— mixed  up  wherever  a  man  could  get— no  two 
of  them  together."  "  Where  are  the  oflicers  ?"  «  Don't  know 


THE  "RAINY   DAY."  77 

that,  either ; — I  tried  to  sleep,  right  here,  and  put  this  fodder 
over  my  face,  and  didn't  look  out  for  anything  else ; — feel 
very  bad,  this  morning, — must  see  if  there  is  anything  left 
in  the  canteen." — He  looked,  and  found  quite  a  supply;  and 
taking  a  hearty  draught,  he  handed  the  canteen  to  another 
who  came  in  a  like  situation. 

The  torrent,  in  a  few  hours,  fell  considerably,  and  the 
wagons  were  enabled  to  cross ;  the  men  became  sober ; 
picked  up  all  their  arms  and  baggage,  and  all  crossed ;  went 
three  miles,  and  camped  in  order ;  every  man  found  his  com- 
pany; all,  that  evening,  was  again  regularity  and  discipline. 
So  ends  the  imperfect  story  of  the  "  rainy  day."  A  descrip- 
tion cannot  do  it  justice  ;  but,  to  every  officer  and  soldier  of 
the  regiment,  the  recollection  of  it  will  always  be  distinct. 
The  encampment,  that  night,  was  on  the  ground  formerly 
occupied  by  Bowles,  the  Cherokee  chief;  who,  with  a  portion 
of  his  tribe,  claimed  and  occupied  this  fine  section  of  coun- 
try, in  area  about  three  hundred  leagues  ;  but  they  were  dis- 
possessed of  it  by  the  Texan  government.  Colonel  Thomas 
purchased  the  corn,  growing  on  Bowies'  old  field ;  now  cul- 
tivated by  a  rough-looking  chap,  who  has  been  here  since 
the  departure  of  the  Indians.  Each  man  was  put  to  gather- 
ing his  own  corn. 

Wednesday,  September  Qth.  All,  last  night,  slept  soundly; 
and  this  morning,  the  bugles  sounded  early ;  every  one  turned 
out ;  the  lines  were  formed,  the  rolls  called,  and  all  answered 
to  their  names  ;  the  breakfasts  were  soon  over,  tents  struck, 
wagons  loaded,  and  the  columns  formed,  and  went  on.  The 
morning  was  clear  and  pleasant;  the  face  of  the  country 
over  which  we  marched,  was  beautiful,  being  woodland  and 
prairies,  alternately.  Many  herds  of  cattle,  fat  and  sleek, 
were  grazing  upon  these.  We  were  now  traveling  on  the 
old  established  Spanish,  or  Mexican  road,  from  Nacogdoches 
to  San  Antonio.  The  land  had  been  continually  improving, 
from  the  Sabine  river,  and  here  was  first-rate.  This  morn- 
ing, we  passed  as  fine  lands  as  could  be  wished. 

We  entered  the  bottom  lands,  bordering  on  the  Neches 
river,  at  nine  o'clock,  A.  M.  We  found  the  river  very  high, 


78  CROCKETT. 

and  the  bottom  overflowed  ;  we  were  occupied  all  that  day 
and  night,  and  most  of  the  next  day,  in  getting  across ;  there 
being  but  one  flat,  and  that  capable  of  carrying  but  eight 
horses,  with  their  riders,  at  a  time ;  and  not  making  more 
than  from  three  to  four  trips  an  hour.  Each  company,  as  it 
crossed,  went  on  by  itself,  eighteen  miles,  to  the  next  en- 
campment, near  the  town  of  Crockett,  and  awaited  the 
coming  of  the  whole  regiment ;  the  last  of  which  did  not 
come  up  until  the  evening  of  the  10th  instant. 

Friday,  September  llth.  The  regiment  marched  on,  fifteen 
miles,  to  the  next  encampment ;  where  it  was  to  remain  for 
two  or  three  days,  while  the  wagon-train  went  on  to  Rob- 
bins'  Ferry,  on  the  Trinity  river  distant  thirty-three  miles 
from  Crockett,  to  take  in  a  supply  of  provisions  from 
the  depot  there.  Our  own  company  were  compelled  to  re- 
main at  this  place,  for  another  day  or  two,  on  account  of  our 
wagon  having  again  been  broken  down ;  for  we  had  the  for- 
tune to  have  a  driver  who  could  strike  every  tree,  on  either 
side  of  the  road,  with  the  wheels,  and  never  miss  one.  The 
wagon,  however,  suffered  some  heavy  thumps  from  these, 
and  occasionally,  that  is,  once  a  week,  on  an  average, broke 
down,  and  detained  either  the  whole  company,  or  part; 
though,  on  such  a  march  as  this,  it  is  much  the  best,  for  a 
company  to  halt  with  its  broken  wagon  ;  for  it  contains  the 
tents  and  provisions  ;  and  if  it  should  not  be  repaired,  until 
night,  the  company  has  shelter  and  food  ;  which  would  not 
be  the  case,  if  they  had  left  it. 

Crockett  is  situated  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the  county  of 
Houston,  about  midway  between  the  Neches  river  on  the 
east,  and  the  Trinity  on  the  west.  The  lands  in  this  county 
are  good ;  better  on  the  eastern  side,  near  the  Neches,  than 
in  the  centre  or  western  parts,  where  the  soil  is  rather  too 
sandy  for  fertility.  The  western  part  has  the  advantage, 
however,  of  the  navigable  river,  Trinity,  in  its  neighbor- 
hood. The  town  of  Crockett,  itself,  has  nothing  in  or  around 
it,  of  interest,  save  its  name  ;  given  in  honor  of  David 
Crockett,  of  Tennessee,  who  fell  bravely  fighting  in  the 
cause  of  Texas,  at  the  «  Alamo."  I,i  the  portico  of  the  only 


OLD  BELL.  79 

tavern  in  the  place,  was  one  relic  of  olden  times  ;  this  was  a 
bell,  corroded  and  broken,  that  had  lately  been  found  in  a 
lake,  in  a  most  desolate  spot,  a  few  miles  from  the  town.  It 
was  of  Spanish  manufacture,  made  in  1690,  and  weighed, 
probably,  about  two  hundred  pounds,  when  new ;  not  so 
much  now,  however,  for  some  parts  of  its  composition  had 
yielded  to  the  corroding  action  of  the  water  of  the  lake,  and 
it  was  eaten  by  rust,  almost  to  the  appearance  of  a  honey- 
comb. It  had  upon  it  the  Catholic  cross  ;  and  probably  had 
been  used  by  the  first  adventurers  or  settlers,  in  these  lands, 
to  aid  in  the  work  of  converting  the  savages;  but  no  trace,  we 
understood,  has  been  found  in  this  part  of  the  country,  of  any 
former  permanent  settlement.  How,  therefore,  it  had  been 
used,  or  when  or  how  it  found  its  resting-place  in  the  lake, 
is  unknown.  It  is  a  curious  old  object,  and  its  history,  could 
it  be  known,  would  undoubtedly  be  one  of  interest.  Quite  a 
change  had  taken  place,  in  this  country,  from  the  time  of  its 
submersion  in  the  still  waters  of  that  lake,  to  the  period  of 
its  again  being  brought  to  light.  The  thoughtful  mind  could 
find  subject-matter,  in  the  contemplation  of  this  old  bell, 
for  many  hours  of  interest. 

September  12th.  We  had  been  detained  two  days,  on  ac- 
count of  our  wagon  ;  and  this  morning,  all  being  ready,  we 
set  out  to  overtake  the  regiment;  still  encamped  fifteen 
miles  this  side  of  the  Trinity  river ;  which  we  easily  accom- 
plished by  noon,  and  again  our  tents  were  up  with  the 
others.  Two  large  springs  supplied  the  whole  regiment 
with  abundance  of  water ;  and  we  had  any  quantity  of  for- 
age, provided  from  the  depot  at  Robbins'  Ferry,  and  full  ra- 
tions of  provisions.  We  spent  two  days,  yet,  after  our  com- 
pany arrived  at  this  encampment,  making  four  days  for  the 
regiment,  in  all ;  during  this  time  the  wagon-train  were  on 
at  the  ferry,  taking  in  their  loads  of  broad,  pork,  flour, 
&c.,  &c. 

The  immediate  section  of  country,  about  thia  encampment, 
is  poor ;  all,  or  nearly  so,  timbered.  There  was  a  great 
quantity  of  petrified  wood  lying  around ;  large  branches,  and 
whole  trunks  of  trees  were  thus  petrified ;  the  largest  of 


80  PETRIFIED  TIMBER. 

which,  that  we  saw,  was  a  hickory,  about  two  feet  and  a 
half  in  diameter.  These  specimens  of  petrifaction  were  as 
perfect  as  we  had  ever  seen ;  we  thought  more  so ;  for  the  bark 
and  wood  not  only  retained  their  peculiar  texture,  but  even 
their  color ;  so  perfect  was  the  bark,  when  taken  off,  in  color, 
(black  and  rough  without,  white  and  smooth  within),  that, 
at  the  distance  of  two  or  three  feet  from  the  eye,  it  could 
not  be  told  from  a  piece  of  true  bark;  nothing  but  the  weight, 
when  taken  into  the  hand,  made  known  the  illusion  ;  on  ex- 
amination, it  was  found  as  hard  as  flint.  The  petrifaction 
of  the  wood  was  equally  perfect.  We  secured  several  fine 
specimens  of  it ;  but,  reflecting  that  we  were  going  ont  from 
home  for  many  months,  and  that  we  could  not  preserve  them, 
we  reluctantly  threw  them  away.  Immense  quantities  of 
this  petrified  wood,  lay  through  this  section,  on  high  lands, 
of  a  sandy  nature.  The  inhabitants  here,  who  visited  our 
encampment,  in  relation  to  these  petrifactions,  told  us,  that 
two  miles  from  camp  there  was  a  petrified  trunk  of  a  hickory 
still  standing  !  and  like  these,  of  perfect  stone.  We  thought 
this  rather  improbable ;  but  they  asserted  it,  and  offered  to 
guide  us  to  it ;  but  it  was  too  late  then,  being  in  the  evening, 
and  we  were  to  be  off  in  the  morning.  Several  of  them 
asserted  the  same,  in  answer  to  our  inquiries,  unknown  to 
each  other.  But  this  must  have  been  a  "quiz." 

Monday,  September  14th.  This  morning,  our  company  were 
early  roused ;  being  the  advance  of  the  regiment.  To-day, 
we  were  minus  one  lieutenant,  Wheat,  the  second  assistant, 
who  has  been  sent  to  Houston,  sixty  miles  to  the  south,  for 
medicine,  the  hospital  stores  giving  out. 

Six  companies  of  the  regiment  marched  to  Robbins' 
Ferry  ;  the  other  four  to  Clark's  Ferry,  four  miles  lower  down 
the  river;  and,  by  so  doing,  the  crossing  of  the  river  was 
much  facilitated.  We  passed  to  the  north  again,  to  the  old 
San  Antonio  road,  which  we  had  left  a  day  or  two  before, 
and  marched  fifteen  miles  to  Robbins'.  The  morning  was 
pleasant,  and  the  country  beautiful,  but  not  very  fertile. 
Quantities  of  petrified  wood,  in  blocks,  large  trunks,  and 
small  pieces,  were  on  and  near  the  road.  Six  miles  east  of 


ROBBINS'   FERRY.  81 

the  ferry  we  found  a  block-house,  probably  built  in  the  In- 
dian or  Mexican  wars,  strongly  constructed  of  logs,  closely 
fitted,  the  upper  story  projecting  about  two  feet,  on  either 
side  and  end,  over  the  lower.  It  had  one  strong  door ;  loop- 
holes were  around,  above,  and  bolow,  for  the  use  of  the  rifle. 
It  is  but  a  short  time  since  these  defences  were  necessary 
throughout  this  country ;  but  now,  no  enemy  makes  his  ap- 
pearance, so  far  in  the  settlements.  Another  mile  from  the 
block-house,  brought  us  through  the  timber,  to  the  opening 
of  an  extensive,  level  prairie,  of  rich,  black  soil,  covered 
with  a  most  luxuriant  growth  of  tall,  rank  gamma  grass  ; — 
coarse  leaves,  presenting  to  the  eye  the  appearance  of  an 
immense  field  of  millet. 

This  prairie  must  contain  from  six  to  eight  thousand 
acres  ;  is  overflown  by  the  rises  of  the  Trinity,  and  it  would 
make  splendid  rice  plantations.  Not  a  flower  was  upon  it; 
it  was  one  unbroken,  waving  sea  of  green.  A  narrow  skirt 
of  timber,  along  the  Trinity  river,  separated  it  from  the  prai- 
rie ;  through  this  strip  we  passed,  and  immediately  com- 
menced the  crossing  of  the  river  in  flats  ;  twelve  horses  and 
men  at  a  time  ;  and  as  we  crossed,  encamped  a  little  below 
the  ferry,  on  the  opposite  side.  In  a  few  hours,  all  were 
over,  and  the  other  column,  from  Clark's  Ferry,  had  come 
up  also. 

The  encampment  was  in  a  pretty,  extensive  grove  of  tim- 
ber, shady  and  cool.  Robbins'  Ferry,  on  the  Trinity  river, 
to  which  we  had  so  long  been  looking  forward,  and  wishing 
to  arrive  at,  we  found  to  be  not  much  of  a  place,  when  we 
had  got  to  it.  One  house,  one  store,  and  two  warehouses, 
were  all  the  buildings  there.  The  family  residing  here, 
looked  like  walking  skeletons,  so  wan,  so  thin ;  their  eyes 
were  sunken,  their  cheeks  drawn  in  ;  a  miserable,  sickly  set. 
There  is  no  water  here  fit  to  use  ;  the  river  water  is  the  best, 
but  that  is  bad  to  the  taste,  and  not  wholesome.  At  the  store, 
there  was  plenty  of  whisky ;  and  although  most  of  the  men 
did  not  wish  any,  having  had  enough  on  the  "  rainy  day"  to 
last  them  for  some  time  yet,  still  many  took  hold  of  it  freely; 
and  the  natural  result  soon  followed — quarreling  and  cori- 
G 


82  TRINITY  RIVER. 

fusion.  A  row  was  quickly  "  kicked  up,"  in  which  one  man 
stabbed  another  dangerously.  This  put  an  end  to  it. 

Though  the  Arkansas  and  Kentucky  regiments  of  cavalry 
had,  each,  taken  large  supplies  from  the  depot  of  government 
stores  here,  and  our  train  ol  wagons  had  been  filled  up  com- 
pletely, yet  a  vast  quantity  of  provisions  was  left.  This  was  the 
case  also  at  Fulton.  No  one  of  the  three  regiments,  which 
had  been  ordered  to  march,  by  this  route,  to  the  seat  of  war, 
could  complain  of  want  of  provident  care  in  the  government, 
in  furnishing  supplies  ;  for  these  were  abundant ;  more  than 
we  needed,  and  of  excellent  quality. 

The  Trinity  river  is  here  only  about  sixty  yards  wide ;  but 
from  twelve  to  fourteen  feet  deep.  Its  banks  are  high,  broken, 
and  steep  ;  of  clay  entirely.  It  has  a  sluggish  current ;  is  of 
a  dark,  muddy  color,  and,  although  now  low,  sometimes  rises 
over  the  high  banks,  and  like  a  sea,  overflows  the  adjoining 
prairies.  It  carries  not,  however,  through  its  course,  the 
depth  of  water  mentioned,  being,  some  miles  below  the  ferry, 
quite  shallow. 

TPu£sday,  September  15th.  We  were  on  the  march  at  an 
early  hour ;  the  morning  was  fine,  and  we  were  soon  out  in 
a  beautiful,  rolling  prairie ;  extensive  views  of  gentle  hills, 
covered  with  long  grass,  dotted  in  the  distance  with  small 
groves,  met  our  vision  before  and  on  either  side  of  us.  When 
we  rose  out  of  the  bottom  land  of  the  river,  upon  the  first 
swell  we  came  to,  was  an  old  mansion,  formerly  of  a  Mexi- 
can "  hacienda,"  or  large  farm,  overlooking  in  its  prospect 
the  fine  range  of  country  below — of  hill  and  dale,  extensive 
and  green.  The  long  lines  of  the  regiment  and  train  were 
all  in  view  at  a  glance ;  and  they  made  an  imposing  appear- 
ance. A  fine  breeze  blew  all  the  day,  and  the  march  was 
easy  and  pleasant.  Good  humor  and  gayety  prevailed 
throughout  the  ranks.  The  fresh  breeze  of  the  prairie  was 
invigorating  to  men  and  horses ;  which  latter  bounded  and 
pranced  along  gayly.  We  marched  rapidly,  over  a  fine 
natural  road,  and  the  wagon-train,  finding  no  difficulty  or 
delay,  were  all  in  camp,  under  a  lofty  grove  of  live  oaks,  by 


DESERTED  PLANTATION.  83 

noon  ;  and  every  one  had  the  afternoon  for  his  own  amuse- 
ment. This  was  sought  in  various  ways. 

The  encampment  was  a  very  pleasant  one,  being  a  natural 
square,  of  five  or  six  acres,  surrounded  by  live  oaks  of  great 
size,  and  entirely  covered  with  long  Spanish  moss,  hanging 
from  the  limbs  and  twigs,  in  drooping  festoons,  making  a 
close  shade  below ;  beneath  these  trees  was  a  deep  lagoon 
of  water,  fresh,  cool,  and  pleasant  to  the  taste.  Under  the 
trees  around  the  square  were  the  lines  of  tents,  and  back  of 
these  the  fires  of  each ;  the  grass  was  tall  and  green,  and 
grouped  around  upon  it  were  the  soldiers,  resting  from  the 
march.  At  sunset,  all  were,  as  usual,  called  up  by  the  bugles, 
to  form  lines  for  evening  roll  call ;  after  which  the  suppers 
were  disposed  of,  horses  all  attended  to,  and  singing  seemed 
to  be  the  order  of  the  evening,  till,  one  by  one,  the  lights 
were  extinguished,  and  all  were  asleep ;  the  most  preferring 
to  take  the  thick  shade  outside  of  the  tents,  in  the  long 
grass,  for  their  sleeping  places.  We  left  Houston  county  at 
the  Trinity,  and  were,  this  night,  in  Walker. 

Wednesday,  September  IGth.  We  left  the  encampment  at 
seven  o'clock,  and  continued  the  march ;  after  going  about 
four  miles,  we  came  to  a  large  plantation,  now  in  ruins.  The 
rank  weeds  were  growing  up  in  the  yard  of  the  deserted 
house,  ten  feet  high,  showing  most  excellent  soil.  The  plan- 
tation lay  well ;  and  it  bore  such  marks  of  former  care  and 
taste,  and  was  now  so  dreary,  that  the  universal  opinion  was 
expressed  in  the  ranks,  as  we  filed  round  the  corner  of  the 
yard,  that  the  family  had  been  murdered.  This  opinion  we 
found  to  be  correct :  the  former  owner,  a  man  of  wealth,  and 
an  early  settler  here,  his  wife,  two  daughters,  and  three  sons, 
small  boys,  had  all  been  murdered,  and  the  house  robbed,  by 
a  party  of  Mexicans  and  Indians.  This  was  five  years 
since,  and  no  one  had  appeared  as  the  nearest  relative,  to 
claim  the  land  or  property.  The  very  look  of  the  place 
seemed  to  proclaim  murder  and  desolation. 

In  three  miles  more,  we  left  Walker,  and  entered  Grimes 
county ;  the  soil,  losing  all  semblance  of  fertility,  was  thin, 
pandy,  and  wretchedly  poor — no  settlers  to  be  found.  We 


Q4  BEAUTIFUL  PRAIRIE. 

marched  about  fifteen  miles  in  this  sort  of  country,  and  en 
camped  on  a  creek,  where  there  was  but  little  water.  There 
was  some  game  about  here,  and  our  boys,  after  encamping, 
went  out,  and  returned  at  dark,  with  two  or  three  deer  and 
some  rabbits  of  great  size.  The  person  who  had  furnished 
us  our  corn,  and  who  lives  a  mile  or  two  from  this  place, 
told  us  that  some  few  wild  horses  yet  remained  in  the  wide 
strip  of  poor,  bushy  lands,  over  which  we  had  traveled  the 
most  of  the  day.  Our  men  were  very  eager  to  get  a  view  of 
some  of  these  ;  but  their  curiosity  was  not  to  be  gratified  in 
that  respect  for  some  time  yet. 

T/iursday,  September  llth.  We  were  not  in  very  buoyant 
spirits,  this  morning ;  the  land  around  us  was  so  miserably 
poor,  and  vegetation  so  stunted,  that  there  was  no  enliven- 
ing prospect ;  many  of  the  men  declared,  that  we  had  passed 
through  all  the  fine  lands,  and  that  all  the  rest  of  this  country 
would  be  but  the  "  fag  ends."  They  were  mistaken,  how- 
ver,  as  it  afterwards  proved,  for  we  were  just  coming  to  them. 
The  morning  was  pleasant,  and  we  marched  on  pretty  well, 
considering  the  deep  sand  through  which  we  passed ;  after 
inarching  eight  miles,  we  suddenly  came  out  of  the  stunted 
growth  of  the  poor  land,  into  the  most  beautiful  rolling 
prairies,  with  fine  groves  here  and  there,  and  tall  grass,  ap- 
parently undisturbed  by  animals,  covering  the  rounded  hills 
of  such  gentle  height  and  slope,  as  only  to  be  pleasing;  the 
soil  suddenly  changed  to  deep  loose  black  earth,  of  great 
fertility. 

The  breeze,  of  which  we  had  felt  none  in  the  barren  un- 
dergrowth, came  cooling,  and  refreshing,  over  the  prairie, 
loaded  with  the  fragrance  of  thousands  of  wild  flowers,  of 
brilliant  colors ;  as  column  after  column  emerged  from  the 
thicket,  they  were  all  struck  with  the  strong  contrast ;  and 
the  general  exclamation  along  the  ranks,  was,  "  how  beauti- 
ful !"  "  How  far  you  can  see  !"  said  one ;  "  How  green 
and  fresh  these  rolling  hills,"  said  a  second.  "  Look  at  the 
distant  ones,"  said  another,  pointing  to  their  dim  blue 
outline  against  the  horizon.  "  What  lovely  vales  and 
groves,"  exclaimed  yet  another;— all  looked,  all  admired  the 


GRIMES  COUNTY.  85 

scene.  The  swells  of  the  prairie  became  higher  and  more 
picturesque  as  we  advanced  ;  \ve  lost  sight  of  one  beautiful 
view,  only  to  gain  one  more  extensive  and  striking.  The 
soil  became  still  darker  and  more  fertile,  mixed  with  marl 
and  shells  in  great  quantity ;  and  beneath  the  whole  was  a 
bed  of  limestone:  it  must  be  of  inexhaustible  fertility. 

When  we  first  entered  Grimes  county,  the  very  name  ap- 
peared poor  and  desolate  ;  but  now,  that  name  appeared  to 
have  a  signification  the  very  reverse.  Here  and  there  we 
came  to  plantations  with  fine  growing  crops  of  corn,  cotton, 
and  some  sugar  cane,  all  flourishing. 

We  turned  off  from  the  road  to  the  right  in  a  picturesque 
valley,  and  encamped  by  a  clear  brook,  near  several  fine 
springs.  We  unsaddled  our  horses,  fed  them,  collected  our 
wood,  and  set  about  our  evening  meal.  A  large  tan -yard  was 
near  by,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek,  and  many  of  the 
men  went  to  bathe  in  the  vats,  that  were  filled  from  the 
springs.  On  this  creek  were  some  of  the  largest  cedars  we 
have  ever  seen  ;  cedar  was  abundant  all  around  here.  We 
saw  that  the  rails  for  the  fences  were  made  of  it.  These 
will  last  a  lifetime. 

Friday,  September  18th.  Last  evening,  seeing  that  the  hill 
over  which  the  regiment  would  pass  this  morning,  was  high, 
two  of  us  obtained  leave  from  the  captain,  to  leave  the  camp 
and  ascend  it  by  daylight,  and  wait  for  the  regiment  to  come 
on;  our  motive  for  so  doing  was  to  obtain  a  view  of  the  sur- 
rounding country  in  the  clearness  of  the  morning,  by  sunrise. 
Accordingly, by  that  time  we  were  on  the  top,  with  a  spy-glass, 
which  we  had  brought  with  us  from  home,  for  such  special  oc- 
casions. The  view  was,  as  we  anticipated,  vast  and  beautiful ; 
the  morning  was  very  clear.  Looking  towards  the  east, 
was  seen,  immediately  below,  the  deep  valley  with  its  long 
sloping  ascents  on  either  side ;  its  clear  stream  winding 
through,  fringed  with  dark  green  groves  of  cedar ;  through 
and  about  which,  the  long  and  regular  lines  of  white  tents 
were  peeping  ;  in  one  part  concealed,  in  another,  row  after 
row  in  full  view  ;  busy  with  life  ;  the  numbers  of  little  lines 
o€  blue  curling  smoke  rising  from  it,  and  above  uniting, 


86  LANDSCAPE. 

floated  gently  off  down  the  vale  ;  while  the  clear  tones  of 
the  bugles,  soft  and  mellow  from  distance,  came  up  distinctly 
to  the  ear. — Beyond  the  camp,  the  opposite  green  slope  was 
dotted  here  and  there  by  herds  of  cattle  grazing,  while  the 
summit  of  the  slope,  with  its  line  of  oaks,  through  which  the 
horizontal  rays  of  the  sun  beamed  in  brightness,  at  the  dis- 
tance of  two  miles,  closed  the  view.  To  the  south  the  pros- 
pect of  wooded  hills,  gentle  and  long  in  rise,  were  seen  one 
beyond  another,  with  here  and  there  a  patch  of  prairie  between 
for  eight  or  ten  miles.  To  the  west  and  south-west,  lay 
spread  out  in  full  view  the  lovely  valley  of  the  Brazos  river, 
alternately  prairie  and  woodland — prairie  and  woodland 
again,  until  a  broad  belt  of  prairie,  twenty  miles  distant, 
unbroken  in  extent,  bounded  the  vision. 

In  the  foreground  of  this  view,  at  the  distance  of  two 
miles,  and  contrasting  finely  with  the  more  distant  finishing 
of  the  picture,  was  the  pretty,  thriving  village  of  Fanthrop. 

To  the  north-west,  the  landscape  was  like  a  map ;  here, 
dark  in  waving  lines,  with  timber;  there,  light  in  long  strips, 
of  prairie ;  all  intermingled  in  a  beautiful  combination, 
until  the  horizon  was  indistinct  and  hazy  from  very  dis- 
tance. Hearing  the  bugles  more  plainly,  we  turned  and 
looked  again  down  in  the  valley  ;  the  rows  of  tents  had  dis- 
appeared ;  the  long  lines  of  horsemen  were  filing  out  to  the 
road ;  the  wagons  starting  in  the  rear,  and  the  camp  was 
empty. 

Employing  our  time  until  they  had  ascended  the  hill,  in 
taking  another  view  of  all  around,  we  then  left  the  scene  with 
regret,  and  took  our  places  in  the  ranks. 

Saturday,  September  19th.  This  day,  we  marched  on  over 
the  same  splendid  scenery ;  crossing  a  little  valley  filled  with 
cedar  groves,  we  rose  the  hill  into  the  village  of  Fanthrop. 
We  found  this  a  brisk,  lively  little  place  ;  every  one  seemed 
to  be  at  work  :  the  blacksmiths'  hammer  could  be  heard,  an- 
swered by  the  sound  of  tools  from  other  mechanics ;  the 
stores  were  open,  and  doing,  apparently,  a  brisk  business.  A 
large  academy,  for  the  education  of  youth  of  both  sexes,  had 
been  just  erected,  and  gone  into  successful  operation.  The 


WASHINGTON.  87 

regiment  did  not  halt,  but  the  advance  were  far  through 
the  town  before  the  rear  had  come  near  it. 

At  eleven,  A.  M.,  we  entered  the  Brazos  bottom  lands, 
heavily  timbered,  red  soil,  and  very  fertile ;  and  we  struck 
the  left  bank  of  the  Neversot  river,  which  the  road  followed 
to  its  junction  with  the  Brazos,  opposite  to  the  town  of 
Washington.  We  commenced  crossing  the  Brazos  as  soon 
as  we  arrived  on  its  banks  ;  two  companies  besides  our  own 
passing  that  evening,  and,  proceeding  directly  through  the 
town,  encamped  on  the  edge  of  the  prairie  beyond ;  a  fine 
encampment;  but  half  a  mile  from  the  springs  in  the  prairie, 
which  were  to  furnish  us  water.  The  other  seven  compa- 
nies encamped  on  the  eastern  bank,  not  crossing  the  river 
until  the  following  day.  The  evening  of  this  day  had  been 
very  sultry,  and  a  thunder  storm  appearing  about  to  come 
over  us,  we  made  all  haste  to  get  up  our  tents,  which  labor 
was  soon  accomplished.  The  storm,  though  it  touched  us 
not,  was  near  enough  to  cool  the  air,  and  the  evening  was 
very  pleasant ;  and  at  night  we  slept  well,  only  disturbed  by 
the  numerous  packs  of  wolves  that,  attracted  by  the  smell 
of  meat,  came  near  to  us  and  among  our  horses,  and,  by 
their  dismal  howling,  frightened  many  of  these  so  that  they 
broke  loose. 

Sunday,  September  20th.  Early  this  morning,  Col.  Thomas 
sent  an  order  to  our  company  for  twenty  men,  in  uniform, 
with  carbines  and  cartridge-boxes,  to  march  into  town  and 
take  part  in  the  funeral  of  a  Kentucky  soldier,  of  the  cavalry 
regiment,  left  sick  at  this  place,  in  company  with  several  oth- 
ers, two  weeks  since.  The  others  had  become  better;  he  died 
the  day  before.  We  marched  into  town,  halted  in  front  of 
the  house  where  the  body  lay; — then  formed  in  the  rear  of  the 
coffin  in  double  file;  the  colonel  and  field  officers  of  our  regi- 
ment followed  next;  captains  and  lieutenants  next;  then 
privates  of  our  own  regiment;  then  citizens.  When  all  was 
ready,  the  bugles  sounded  the  melancholy  strain  of  the 
"  Dead  March,"  and  slowly,  and  with  our  arms  reversed,  we 
moved  for  the  graveyard,  distant  from  the  town  about  half 
a  mile.  As  we  went  through  the  streets,  the  windows  and 


S8  SOLDIER'S   BURIAL. 

doors  were  crowded  by  the  inmates;  all,  by  their  counten- 
ances, expressing  sorrow  for  the  loss  of  the  soldier.  He  died 
far  from  his  home,  among  strangers,  by  whom,  however,  in 
his  last  hours,  he  was  carefully  attended  ;  and  then  was  in- 
terred with  the  soldier's  burial. — On  arriving  at  the  grave- 
yard, the  procession  moved  around  the  grave  and  halted. — 
Slowly  the  coffin  was  lowered  into  it. — We  advanced,  and 
fired  three  volleys  over  it ; — filled  the  grave ;  and  then  wheel- 
ing, left  the  ground ;  and  marching  after  quick  and  lively 
music,  returned  to  camp. 

The  regiment  were  ordered  out  in  the  afternoon  to  divine 
service,  on  the  edge  of  the  prairie.  The  preacher,  Mr.  Ral- 
ston, who  officiated  as  chaplain,  took  his  position  on  the 
only  log  that  was  to  be  found.  The  colonel  and  field  offi- 
cers, with  most  of  the  company  officers,  in  full  uniform,  were 
reclining  in  the  long  grass,  directly  in  front  of  him ;  while 
the  soldiers  were  seated  in  the  same  around,  in  a  large  semi- 
circle ;  seats  were  not  needed,  for,  by  long  habit,  now  we  find 
the  ground  to  answer  every  purpose.  The  sermon  was  good 
and  the  listeners  attentive;  all  joined  in  the  singing  with  feelr 
ing,  and  every  emotion  seemed  to  be  calmed  by  the  occa- 
sion. 

The  evening  of  the  day  was  very  pleasant.  We  strolled 
out  on  an  eminence,  a  portion  of  the  prairie,  and  surveyed 
with  the  glass  the  extensive  valley  of  the  Brazos  below,  and 
now  in  our  rear — still  grand  and  beautiful,  as  from  the  other 
side,  it  appeared. 

Monday,  September  2lst.  The  colonel  having  ordered  the 
regiment  to  remain  here  another  day,  we  took  the  opportu- 
nity to  examine  and  inquire  about  the  town,  country,  &c. 
Washington  is  a  small  place  of  about  four  or  five  hundred 
inhabitants  ;  has  been  the  seat  of  government,  the  congress 
of  the  republic  formerly  meeting  here.  The  appearance  of 
the  town  shows,  from  its  many  dilapidated  houses,  that  it 
has  seen  better  days  than  at  present. 

It  is  situated  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Brazos  river,  in  the 
midst  of  as  beautiful  and  fertile  a  country  as  can  be  found 
in  the  Union.  The  Brazos  can  be  navigated  by  large  boats 


RIDING   A   RAIL.  89 

some  three  or  four  months  in  the  year ;  and  it  is  said,  by  re- 
moving the  snags  and  logs  from  its  bed,  that  small  steam- 
boats could  run  upon  it,  as  far  up  as  this  place,  the  whole 
year ;  though,  as  yet,  there  is  not  sufficient  settlement  of  the 
country  to  induce  boats  to  come  up ;  and  all  the  trade  of  this 
place  is  carried  on,  by  land,  with  Houston,  on  Buffalo  Bayou, 
seventy-five  miles  south-east  of  it.  But  the  day  cannot  be 
far  distant,  when  this  delightful  country  will  be  settled,  and 
its  resources  developed. — The  river,  of  steep  and  high  clay 
banks,  is  not  so  muddy  as  the  Trinity,  but  is  brackish  in 
taste  and  unfit  for  use,  even  for  washing. — The  Neversot,  a 
small  river  that  comes  in  opposite,  is  of  better  water.  We 
noticed  that  this  river  sometimes  rose  thirty-five  or  forty  feet, 
perpendicular  height,  the  mark  of  the  mud  being  on  all  thr 
trees ;  and  brush,  cane,  and  drift-wood  lodged  in  their  tall 
branches. 

At  four,  P.  M.,  the  regiment  was  ordered  under  arms,  on 
foot,  and  marched  out  on  the  prairie,  near  the  springs,  and 
there  formed  in  a  hollow  square  to  witness  the  punishment 
of  two  teamsters,  who  had  stolen  some  carbines  and  other 
property,  and  had  endeavored  to  make  their  escape ;  had 
been  pursued  by  a  file  of  men,  overtaken  and  brought  back ; 
had  been  tried  this  forenoon  by  a  court-martial,  and  sen- 
tenced to  receive  thirty-nine  lashes  each  on  the  bare  back : 
which  sentence,  however,  was  commuted,  by  the  colonel,  to 
that  of  riding  a  rail  through  the  ranks. 

This  ceremony  was  performed  as  follows  :  four  stout  men, 
two  at  each  end  of  a  long,  rough  pole,  came  into  the  square  ; 
the  culprits  were  led  in,  and  one  of  them,  the  younger,  who 
had  been  coaxed  into  the  stealing  by  the  other,  was  gently 
set  on  the  pole,  and  as  gently  carried  around  ;  all  pitied  him, 
for  he  appeared  to  feel  the  disgrace  of  the  punishment  se- 
verely, and  not  much  noise  was  made  as  he  passed  on  this 
high  horse.  He  was  set  down,  and  the  other  was  rudely 
thrown  on,  amidst  hoots,  groans  and  hisses ;  the  bearers 
jerked  and  shook  the  pole  on  their  shoulders,  and  he  lost  his 
balance  and  came  to  the  ground  on  his  side,  with  a  concus- 
sion that  took  his  breath  from  him  for  a  moment.  He  had 


JJQ  INDEPENDENCE. 

fallen  into  hard  hands  ;  they  threw  him  up  again,  breath  ot 
no  breath,  and  finished  his  unpleasant  ride  ;  after  which  the 
regiment  was  dismissed,  and  the  two  men  taken  over  the 
Brazos  and  set  free,  being  forbidden  to  come  again  near  the 

camp. 

Tuesday,  September  22d.  A  fine  morning.  The  bugles 
sounded  the  saddle  call,  after  breakfast,  and  the  captains  and 
lieutenants  of  each  company  repeated  the  order  to  their  men, 
to  strike  tents  and  load  the  wagons  :  all  went  at  it,  and  line 
after  line  of  tents  disappeared, — save  those  of  our  company, 
which  still  stood,  for  no  officer  could  be  found.  One  of  the 
field  officers  rode  up  :  "  Is  your  captain  here  ?"  he  inquired. 
"  No,  sir."  "  Your  first  lieutenant  ?"  "  No,  sir."  "  Tell  your 
second  lieutenant  to  have  your  tents  struck,  and  fall  into 
liae."  ;<  He  is  not  here,  sir."  "Not  here! — What,  all  gone  ? — 
Where  is  the  orderly  sergeant  ?"  "  Gone  too,  sir  !"  "  Well, 
tell  your  second  sergeant  to  come  here."  "  He  is  gone,  also." 
"  Gone  ! — Is  there  any  sergeant  here  ?"  "  Yes,  sir,  the  third 
sergeant,  Hovey,  is  here."  "  Tell  Sergeant  Hovey  to  take 
command  of  your  company,  have  your  tents  struck  quickly, 
and  fall  into  line  !"  "  Yes,  sir." 

Upon  the  order  of  the  sergeant,  we  struck  our  tents  in 
quick  time,  loaded  our  wagon,  sent  it  on,  saddled  our  horses, 
put  on  our  equipage,  formed  the  line,  and,  with  the  sergeant 
at  our  head,  were  off;  and  he  had  command  of  us  for  the 
whole  day.  It  was  universally  remarked,  that  it  was  as 
pleasant  a  day's  march  as  we  had  made ; — all  being  per- 
fectly contented  with  Captain  Hovey,  as  they  called  him. 

We  passed  on  over  the  same  beautiful  country,  with  view 
succeeding  view — countless  changes  of  the  lovely  landscape 
— which  now  was  seen  only  five  or  six  miles,  over  pretty 
vales,  and  gentle  slopes  of  green, — then  extended  far  as  the 
utmost  limit  of  vision  would  permit.  At  eight  miles'  dis- 
tance from  the  morning's  camp,  we  came  to  the  village  of 
Independence,  on  the  top  of  a  lofty  swell  of  land,  command- 
ing an  extensive  view  in  every  direction.  This  village  was 
universally  admired  by  all  the  men  of  the  regiment,  and  is 
truly  one  of  the  prettiest  places  that  can  be  pictured  out. 


BRAVE  BOY.  91 

A  large  American  flag  had  been  hoisted  on  the  top  of  the  hill, 
and  added  to  the  scene.  The  water  here,  too,  was  excellent, 
and  the  health  fine.  Many  of  the  men  declared  they  would 
return  here. 

We  halted  here  a  little  while,  and,  at  the  sound  of  the 
bugles,  again  marched  on,  leaving  the  pretty  place  with 
regret.  There  was  no  difference  in  the  soil  or  scenery,  from 
before,  during  the  remainder  of  the  day.  We  encamped, 
towards  evening,  in  a  beautiful  valley,  four  miles  south  of 
the  Yagua  river,  a  branch  of  the  Brazos  ;  being  still  within  the 
limits  of  Washington  county.  March  of  the  day  twenty  miles. 

Here  we  met  an  old  acquaintance,  to  many  of  our  com- 
pany, and  spent  the  evening  and  morning  most  agreeably; 
the  change,  for  a  meal  or  two,  of  camp  fare,  of  salt  pork  and 
hard  bread,  for  fried  chickens,  roast  pig,  fine  vegetables,  and 
excellent  milk  and  butter,  found  at  his  hospitable  table,  was 
most  agreeable. — We  were  now  just  learning  the  value  of 
good  fare,  by  the  continued  experience  of  the  reverse. 

We  found  that  it  had  been  but  a  little  while  since  this 
section  was  freed  from  the  periodical  irruptions  of  bands  of 
Comanche  Indians ;  whose  movements  have  always  been 
made  with  such  celerity,  that  their  murders  and  robberies 
were  committed,  and  they  were  off,  before  pursuit  could  be 
successfully  made.  Our  friend,  while  speaking  of  this, 
directed  our  attention  to  a  small  boy,  of  about  thirteen  years 
of  age,  who  was  riding  by  in  a  little  wagon,  in  company 
with  his  father.  We  observed  the  lad,  as  having  a  fine  open 
countenance,  an  intelligent  look,  and  a  manly  bearing :  he 
passed  on  ;  and  we  were  told,  that  young  as  he  was,  he  had 
been,  nearly  two  years  before,  in  the  last  hard-fought  skirmish 
with  the  Comanches.  His  father,  with  three  other  men,  and 
himself,  were  together,  a  few  miles  from  this  spot,  when 
they  were  attacked  by  a  large  number  of  these  mounted  war- 
riors of  the  western  prairies.  As  each  of  the  five  was 
well  armed,  their  defence  was  desperate,  and  long-continued. 
The  boy,  then  only  eleven  years  of  age,  fought  and  cried  at 
the  same  time  ;  loading  his  rifle  and  firing,  repeatedly.  His 
companions  had  no  objection  to  his  tears,  for  they  were  not 


92  PICTURESQUE  BASIN. 

of  the  kind  to  dim  his  sight  at  all ;  for,  as  he  raised  his  rifle, 
he  took  his  aim  with  steady  nerve,  and,  at  each  shot,  killed 
or  wounded  a  Comanche.  Finding  such  a  determined  resist- 
ance, after  several  of  them  had  been  killed,  and  many 
wounded,  the  Indians  retreated;  two  of  the  men  were 
wounded ;  the  boy  was  not  hurt.  The  alarm  being  given  in 
the  settlement,  the  war  party  withdrew  entirely,  and  have 
not  been  in  so  far  since. 

Wednesday,  September  23d.  We  left  the  encampment  at  an 
early  hour,  and  marched,  to-day,  twenty  miles.  Soil  same 
as  before  ;  as  rich  as  it  well  can  be  ;  scenery  the  same,  save 
not  so  much  timber.  Many  of  the  men  had  permission  to 
leave  the  lines,  to  hunt,  as  we  now  were  coming  to  a  coun- 
try of  game.  They  killed  and  brought  in  a  few  deer.  Some 
of  it  had  large  bones,  and  looked  and  tasted  like  veal ;  but 
they  declared  it  was  venison. 

We  encamped  in  a  beautiful  grove,  about  three  o'clock  P. 
M.  after  a  march  of  twenty-two  miles  ;  the  road  had  been  so 
good  that  the  wagon-train  had  kept  up  in  speed  with  the  main 
body ;  our  tents  were  soon  up,  and  our  suppers  cooked  early. 
After  supper,  about  a  dozen  of  us  mounted  our  horses  and 
rode  three  miles  over  the  prairie,  to  a  basin  of  water,  dis- 
covered by  the  hunters  of  the  day,  where  they  had  killed 
an  alligator,  about  six  feet  long. — The  ride  was  very  pleas- 
ant, and  the  basin  itself,  very  picturesque.  A  stream  of 
water,  pure  as  crystal,  fell  over  several  succeeding  shelves 
of  limestone,  covered  with  green  moss,  into  the  basin,  itself 
scooped  out  of  the  same  durable  material ;  this  basin  was 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  long,  sixty  wide,  and  ten  or 
twelve  deep,  and  so  clear  that  every  little  thing  could  be 
seen  at  its  bottom;  several  large  live  oaks  spread  their  branches 
over  it,  and  the  long  Spanish  moss  trailed  down,  making  a 
canopy  of  shade  above.  This  young  alligator  had  possessed 
this  basin  to  himself,  "  monarch  of  all  he  surveyed ;"  but  its 
clearness  and  beauty  proved  his  ruin. — A  singular  piece  of 
temerity  with  regard  to  an  alligator  is  related  in  camp.  At 
Sabine  river,  (now  a  long  distance  back),  one  of  the  men  of 


ALLIGATORS.  93 

Caswel's  company,  called  in  camp  "  Skin-horse,"  went  along 
the  bank  for  game  ;  did  not  see  any  ;  but  then  a  young  alli- 
gator popped  up  his  head ;  "  Skin-horse"  fired  at  it,  and  the 
water  was  stained  with  blood,  but  the  alligator  had 
disappeared.  The  report  of  the  gun  brought  some  of  his 
comrades  to  the  spot,  and  they  were  told  by  him,  what  he 
had  killed.  They  thought  he  was  "  fooling"  them ;  which  made 
him  very  angry,  and  swearing  that  he  always  told  the  truth, 
he  stripped  off  his  clothes,  and  waded  in  the  water  to  his 
neck,  feeling  about  with  his  foot,  and  stepped  on  the  chap 
at  the  bottom ;  he  being  only  wounded,  instantly  rose  and 
poked  his  long  nose  out  of  the  water,  behind  "Skin-horse,"  who 
turned,  and  with  one  hand  seized  him  by  the  fore  foot,  and 
threw  the  other  arm  around  his  neck,  and  himself  on  his 
scaly  back; — now  came  the  tug  of  war.  The  alligator 
whirled  round  and  round,  making  the  water  foam  with 
his  tail,  snapping  his  jaws  together,  in  his  endeavors  to  get 
at  his  antagonist;  while  the  latter  having  got  a  hold  on  shal- 
low bottom  pushed  and  dragged  him  towards  the  shore, 
while  his  companions,  at  first  petrified  with  astonishment, 
ran  to  his  relief;  and  they  soon  got  the  alligator  ashore  and 
dispatched  him.  He  measured  in  length  seven  feet. — Hug- 
ging a  live  alligator  in  the  water,  is  a  ticklish  sort  of  busi- 
ness.— "Skin-horse"  is  a  good  humored,  dare-devil  chap,  cross- 
eyed, medium  height,  bony  and  strong,  in  for  a  scrape  at  any 
time,  and  is  a  great  favorite  with  the  whole  regiment. 

Thursday,  September  24th.  This  morning  we  left  the  en- 
campment very  early,  and  leaving  Washington  county,  en- 
tered that  of  Fayette.  There  being  a  thick  fog  all  the  morn- 
ing, we  could  not  look  out  on  the  prairie,  but  was  told  by  a 
settler,  that  it  was  of  the  same  kind  of  country  as  that  from 
Washington,  passed  over  the  last  three  days.  We  only 
marched  thirteen  milej,  and  encamped  in  a  grove  of  timber, 
in  a  narrow  strip  of  sandy  land,  inferior  to  the  prairie. 

Now,  reader,  we  were  marching  on  to  the  seat  of  war,  but 
were  yet  a  long  distance  from  it.  The  infantry  who  had  gone 
by  sea,  and  the  Texas  cavalry,  from  this  section,  where  we  now 


94  MONTEREY. 

were,  had  arrived  there  long  before,  and  not  only  so,  but  had 
gone  to  work  ;  for  on  this  day,  Thursday,  the  capitulation  of 
the  city  of  Monterey,  to  the  array  of  General  Taylor,  was 
concluded.  The  battle  commenced  on  Monday,  was  carried 
on  until  this  morning.  In  the  following  chapter  will  be 
found  an  account  of  all  the  proceedings  with  relation 
to  it. 


CHAPTER    III. 

PREVIOUS  to  this  time,  the  army  of  General  Taylor  had 
been  increased  to  upwards  of  fifteen  thousand  men,  by  the 
arrival  of  the  volunteer  forces.  The  government  having  sent 
several  steamboats  to  the  Rio  Grande,  that  general  was  ena- 
bled, with  but  little  difficulty,  to  take  possession  of  the  towns  of 
Mier,  Reynosa,  and  Camargo,  on  and  near  the  river.  Colonel 
Hays'  regiment  of  Texan  cavalry,  in  the  meantime,  had 
made  a  circuit  from  Matamoras  towards  the  interior,  through 
the  towns  of  San  Fernando,  China,  and  other  small  places, 
coming  out  to  the  Rio  Grande  again  at  Camargo,  at  which 
place  the  principal  part  of  the  army  was  stationed,  and 
where  a  depot  of  supplies  had  been  established. 

Monterey,  the  capital  of  the  state  of  Nueva  Leon,  is  situ- 
ated in  the  mountainous  regions  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  the 
lofty  peaks  of  which  surround  and  overlook  it.  Its  popula- 
tion is  about  ten  thousand,  and  being  a  place  of  great 
strength  by  nature,  it  had  been  fortified  with  much  care  by 
the  old  Spanish  government,  which  fortifications  have  been 
increased  since  the  Mexican  revolution.  Its  distance  from 
Camargo,  on  the  Rio  Grande,  is  about  one  hundred  and 
eighty  miles. 

To  this  place,  after  the  evacuation  of  Matamoras,  the  Mex- 
ican army  under  Generil  Arista  retreated,  and  remained; 
that  general,  however,  was  deprived  of  his  command,  by  the 
Mexican  government,  and  General  Ampudia  appointed  to 
the  command  in  his  place  ;  and  the  forces,  in  the  meantime, 
were  strengthened  ;  immense  quantities  of  munitions  of  war 
were  thrown  into  the  place,  and  it  became  evident  that  the 

(95) 


96  MONTEREY. 

enemy  intended  to  risk  the  next  battle  in  its  defence,  con- 
fident of  success,  from  the  largely  recruited  forces,  the 
great  natural  and  artificial  strength  of  the  place,  and  the 
abundance  of  supplies  with  which  to  stand  a  siege.  As 
the  intention  of  the  American  general  to  attack  the  place 
was  known  to  General  Ampudia,  for  many  weeks  previous 
to  the  commencement  of  actual  operations  against  it,  that 
officer  made  every  exertion,  to  have  the  works  in  a  perfect 
state  of  defence  to  resist  such  attempt ;  and  as  early  as  the 
30th  of  August,  before  the  American  army  had  commenced 
its  march  from  Camargo,  he  had  issued  his  proclamation  to 
ensure  more  decisive  action  in  the  defence;  declaring  the  city 
already  in  a  state  of  siege  ;  and  encouraging  his  troops,  by 
informing  them  "  that  of  the  American  army,  there  was  but 
twenty-five  hundred  regular  troops ;  that  the  remainder  (vol- 
unteers) were  only  a  band  of  adventurers,  without  valor  or  dis- 
cipline;"— (an  opinion,  that  during  the  siege  afterwards,  it  is 
said,  he  took  occasion  to  alter,  as  he  saw  with  his  glass  the 
attack  on  the  first  fort,  and  the  Tennessee  and  Mississippi 
regiments  pouring  over  its  walls  in  the  face  of  five  pieces 
of  artillery,  throwing  a  shower  of  grape  and  canister  into 
their  ranks ;  with  several  more  on  their  flank,  raking  them. 
He  then  compared  their  fighting  to  that  of  devils); — remark- 
ing, in  his  own  words,  that  "  we  (i.e.  the  Mexicans)  can  beat 
them  again  and  again."  The  Mexican  army  were  in  high 
spirits,  in  anticipation  of  victory ;  and  every  arrangement  of 
defence  having  been  completed,  with  a  force  of  upwards  of 
ten  thousand,  exclusive  of  the  inhabitants,  who  were  required 
to  assist  in  the  defence,  they  waited  for  the  approach  of  the 
Americans.  Their  works  were  arranged  in  the  following 
manner : 

The  city  lies  nearly  in  the  form  of  a  parallelogram,  its 
longest  extension  being  east  and  west ;  along  its  southern 
side  runs  the  small  river  San  Juan,  an  easterly  course.  High 
eminences  are  on  the  other  bank  of  this  stream ;  (see  Plan* 

•  For  this  plan,  showing  the  city  and  fortifications,  and  the  position  of  the  attacking 
forces  on  the  morning  of  September  21st,  the  author  is  indebted  to  Lieutenant  A.  J. 
Heiman,  adjutant  of  1st  regiment  Tennessee  infantry. 


MONTEREY.  97 

of  Monterey,  page  100) ;  upon  two  of  these  eminences  were 
strong  fortifications,  marked  on  the  plan  by  letters  M  and  N. 
The  western  or  upper  part  of  the  city  was  defended  imme- 
diately at  the  suburbs  by  the  large  stone  cemetery,  (marked 
D),  converted  into  a  fort ;  its  walls  being  pierced  with  em- 
brasures for  cannon; — this  cemetery  was  near  the  entrance  of 
the  Saltillo  road.  Further  out  on  that  road,  at  the  distance 
of  nearly  a  mile,  were  two  eminences,  on  one  of  which  was 
the  Bishop's  Palace  (marked  F),  a  strong  building,  well  forti- 
fied ;  on  the  other  also  was  a  strong  work,  (marked  L); — ex- 
tending round  the  whole  northern  side  of  the  city,  that  on 
which  the  American  army  must  approach,  and  also  part  of 
the  western,  was  a  wide  plain,  partly  cultivated,  at  some  dis- 
tance from  the  city.  This  whole  plain,  for  a  long  range, 
was  completely  commanded  by  the  Cathedral  fort,  (marked 
G),  or  "Black  Fort,"  as  afterwards  called  by  our  forces ;  a 
very  strong  fortification,  and  one  that  was  not  attacked  af- 
terwards by  them. —  This  fort  was  near  the  entrance  of  the 
Ceralvo  road. 

On  the  east  of  the  city,  the  San  Juan  flowed  round  from 
the  southern  side.  There  were  three  forts  on  this  eastern 
side  :  the  first,  fort  Tannerio,  (marked  H),  on  the  north- 
eastern corner ;  the  second,  fort  Diablo,  (marked  I),  to  the 
south  of  the  first ;  the  third,  (marked  J),  near  the  Cadarita 
road,  which  it  commanded.  From  this  last  fort,  a  strong 
stone  wall  ran  around  part  of  the  southern  side 

Every  principal  street  was  barricaded  with  strong  works 
of  masonry ;  cannon  on  the  most  of  them ;  the  whole  num- 
ber of  pieces  of  artillery  was  about  fifty.  Besides  these  for- 
tifications, another  great  item  of  strength  consisted  in  the 
manner  in  which  the  houses  of  the  city  were  built :  of  close 
construction  to  each  other ;  one  high  story  ;  flat  stone  roof, 
with  parapet  walls  of  the  same  material  around  them,  and 
with  interior  courts  and  gardens,  presenting  a  naked  view 
in  the  street,  of  continuous  bare  \valls,  of  few  doors,  and 
still  more  few  windows  ;  which,  where  so  placed,  were  guar- 
ded by  perpendicular  iron  bars. — The  streets  were  straight 
and  long,  and  crossed  each  other  at  right  angles. — A  large 
7 


98  MARCH  OF  THE  ARMY. 

spring,  and  several  smaller  ones,  were  in  the  centre  of  the 
city,  affording  an  abundant  supply  of  fine  water. 

As  said  before,  thus  prepared  for  attack  or  siege,  the  Mex- 
ican forces  awaited  the  approach  of  the  American  army ;  nor 
were  they  destined  to  wait  very  long,  for  the  first  division 
of  that  army,  under  General  Worth,  of  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  men,  (regular  troops,  save  one  hundred  Texan  ran- 
gers), took  up  the  march  from  Camargo  to  Monterey  on  the 
20th  of  August,  followed  in  a  few  days,  and  overtaken  at 
Ceralvo,  seventy-five  miles  on  the  route,  by  the  division  of 
General  Butler,  of  two  thousand  seven  hundred  men,  (volun- 
teers), and  that  of  General  Twiggs,  of  two  thousand  two 
hundred,  (regulars^  save  five  hundred  Texan  rangers,)  :  ma- 
king, in  the  whole  number,  six  thousand  six  hundred  men ; 
General  Taylor  leaving  a  force  of  ten  regiments  at  the  dif- 
ferent positions  on  the  Rio  Grande,  from  Brazos  Santiago,  at 
the  mouth,  to  Camargo.  These  were  the  1st,  2d  and  3d  regi- 
ments of  Indiana  infantry,  the  3d  and  4th  regiments  of  Illi- 
nois do.,  the  2d  and  3d  Ohio  do.,  the  2d  Tennessee  do.,  the 
2d  Kentucky  do.,  the  Alabama  do.,  and  Georgia  do. 

The  volunteers  that  marched  upon  Monterey  were  two 
regiments  of  mounted  Texan  troops,  under  Colonel  Hays 
and  Colonel  Woods  ;  the  1st  Tennessee  regiment  of  infantry, 
under  Colonel  Campbell ;  the  1st  Kentucky  do.,  under  Colo- 
nel Ormsby ;  the  1st  Ohio  do.,  under  Colonel  Mitchell ;  the 
Mississippi  regiment  of  riflemen,  under  Colonel  Davis ;  the 
Baltimore  battalion,  under  Colonel  WTatson ;  one  company 
of  Louisiana  infantry,  under  Captain  Blanchard,  and  one 
company  of  Texas  infantry,  under  Captain  Shivers. 

From  Ceralvo,  the  army  moved  onward,  reaching  the  town 
of  Marin,  a  place  of  about  three  thousand  inhabitants,  on 
the  15th  of  September;  leaving  Marin  on  the  18th,  they  ar- 
rived on  Saturday,  the  19th,  within  view  of  Monterey,  and 
encamped  at  Walnut  Springs,  a  beautiful  pecan  grove,  where 
fine  bold  springs  gushed  out  with  water  clear  and  cool. 

General  Taylor,  on  his  arrival,  at  the  head  of  the  Texas 
cavalry,  proceeded  to  reconnoitre  the  city,  and  advanced  for 
that  purpose  over  the  plain,  directly  in  front  of  the  Cathe- 


GENERAL   WORTH'S   DIVISION.  99 

dral  fort,  and  at  a  distance  of  about  sixteen  hundred  yards. 
A  heavy  fog  lay  over  the  city  at  first ;  but,  rising  as  he  ad- 
vanced, revealed  the  city  and  works.  The  fort  commenced 
a  fire  upon  the  detachment,  and,  after  taking  a  cool  view  of 
the  place,  he  left  the  ground ;  immediately  after,  Major 
Mansfield,  Captain  Sanders,  and  Lieutenant  Scarrit,  of  the  en- 
gineer corps,  supported  by  a  squadron  of  dragoons  under 
Captain  Graham,  and  a  company  of  Texas  rangers  under 
Captain  Gillaspie,  were  ordered  to  reconnoitre,  at  which,  the 
remainder  of  the  day,  they  were  occupied,  being  repeatedly 
fired  upon  by  the  batteries. 

Not  having  obtained  all  the  desired  information,  Lieuten- 
ant Scarrit  was  again,  on  Sunday  mornhig,  September  20th, 
sent  out  to  the  right,  or  western  part  of  the  city,  called  from 
its  position,  the  upper  part,  and  Lieutenant  Pope  to  the  left, 
or  lower  part.  They  finished  their  observations,  and,  though 
fired  on  many  times,  returned  in  safety.  General  Worth, 
with  his  division,  and  Colonel  Hays'  regiment  of  Texas  Ran- 
gers, was  ordered  to  proceed  to  the  extreme  right,  (by  a  long 
circuitous  bend,  to  avoid  the  fire  of  the  Black  Fort),  and  to 
take  a  position  on  the  Saltillo  road,  on  the  extreme  right,  to 
intercept  any  supplies  for  the  enemy,  by  that  road,  and  to  pre- 
vent the  passage  of  any  re-inforcements  into  the  city,  that 
being  the  only  road  by  which  such  could  come ;  and  also  to 
take  the  fortified  heights,  if  practicable  ;  by  so  doing,  to  cut 
off  the  retreat  of  the  Mexican  army.  On  account  of  having 
to  construct  bridges,  and  open  a  road  through  the  fields  of 
corn,  sugar-cane,  &c.,  this  division  did  not  reach  the  Saltillo 
road  until  the  next  morning ;  that  night  they  lay  on  their 
arms;  it  was  cold  and  rainy.  As  General  Worth  left 
for  his  post,  this  afternoon,  the  other  two  divisions  were 
marched  in  front  of  the  town,  and  remained  in  view  until 
night,  to  take  off  the  attention  of  the  enemy  from  his  move- 
ments. After  night,  all  the  troops  of  these  divisions  re- 
turned to  camp,  save  the  4th  regiment  of  regular  infantry, 
which,  under  Major  Allen,  remained  to  cover  and  protect  a 
ten  inch  mortar  and  two  twenty-four  pound  howitzers,  which 
were  placed  in  a  dry  ravine,  on  the  north  of  the  city,  and 


100  GARLAND'S  ATTACK. 

directly  in  front,  fourteen  hundred  yards  from  the  Black 
Fort.  The  next  morning,  Monday,  September  21st,  the 
troops  of  the  two  divisions  of  generals  Butler  and  Twiggs, 
were  marched  from  camp  at  an  early  hour,  and  were  drawn 
up  as  represented  in  plate. — (See  Plan.) 

General  Worth  moved  on  from  the  position,  there  indica- 
ted, with  the  Texan  rangers,  in  advance,  who  soon  encoun- 
tered a  body  of  about  one  thousand  lancers,*  (indicated  on 
the  plan).  Here  the  action  of  the  day  commenced.  The 
Rangers  received  the  attack  of  the  lancers, — killed,  in  a  few 
moments,  forty  of  them,  and  wounded  sixty  more, — Col- 
onel Hays  killing  their  lieutenant-colonel, — only  two  of 
the  Rangers  wounded.  The  lancers,  finding  such  a  hot  recep- 
tion, retreated.  About  the  time  that  this  firing  was  heard, 
General  Taylor,  then  on  the  left  or  lower  part  of  the  town, 
ordered  the  battery,  established  the  night  previous,  to  open 
its  fire  upon  the  city  and  Black  Fort ;  which  fire  was  in- 
stantly returned,  and  kept  up  with  spirit. — In  order  to  favor 
the  operations  of  General  Worth,  now  most  important,  by 
drawing  the  attention  of  the  enemy's  forces  from  him,  Twiggs' 
division,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Garland,  was  or- 
dered to  make  a  demonstration  against  the  lower  part  of  the 
town.  To  this  command  was  attached  the  Baltimore  bat- 
talion of  volunteers.  This  force  moved  up,  under  a  heavy 
cross-fire,  from  the  Black  Fort  on  the  right ;  (the  proper  name 
of  this  is"  Fort  Independence,"  called  likewise  "  the  Citadel," 
and  also  "  Cathedral  Fort ;"  but  the  common  name,  given  it 
by  the  American  soldiers,  was  the  "  Black  Fort,"  and  so,  in 
this  description  it  will  be  called),  and  another  from  the  left, 
from  fort  No.  1  ;  advancing  through  these  cross-fires  with 
some  loss,  the  command  reached  the  edge  of  the  town,  about 
two  hundred  yards  to  the  right  effort  No.  1. 

In  obedience   to  his  orders,  the  commander  of  this  divi- 

•  These  are  Mexican  cavalry  ;  each  one  is  armed  with  a  steel-headed  lance,  about 
eight  feet  in  length,  bearing  a  small  swallow-tailed  flag  of  green  and  red ;  beside 
tlds,  the  lancer  has  an  escopeta,  or  short  gun  with  large  bore,  carrying  a  heavy  ball, 
doing  execution  at  a  long  distance ;  and  a  straight  sword,  commonly  sharp  on  both 
edges.  A  body  of  lancers  makes  a  fine  appearance. 


?. « 


t  ?J 


STORMING   OF  FORT  NO.  1. 

sion,  engaged  the  enemy  by  a  spirited  attack.  The  col- 
umn charged  up  the  street,  with  the  intention  of  turning  to 
the  left  and  attacking  fort  No.  1,  in  the  rear;  but  immedi- 
ately they  were  placed  in  a  most  perilous  situation; — before 
them  was  the  heavy  battery,  at  the  Bridge  of  "Purisima,"the 
cannon  of  which  swept  the  street  with  grape.  The  head  of 
the  column  was  also  exposed  to  a  fire  from  fort  No.  2, 
(marked  I),  therear,from  fort  No.  1 ;  and  to  round  shot  from  the 
Black  fort ;  and,  added  to  this,  the  fire  of  a  thousand  muskets 
from  the  house-tops,  where  the  enemy  could  not  be  reached. 

— Seeing  this  column  in  so  perilous  a  situation,  General 
Taylor  ordered  the  Mississippi  and  Tennessee  regiments, under 
colonels  Davis  and  Campbell,  headed  by  part  of  the  4th  regi- 
ment of  regular  infantry,  to  advance  to  their  relief;  these 
proceeded  under  the  heavy  fire  of  the  fort  No.  1,  and  the 
Black  Fort,  which  swept  through  their  ranks.  The  lire  in 
front  was  too  severe  for  the  regulars,  who  fell  back  from  be- 
fore it ;  but  the  two  volunteer  regiments,  nothing  daunted, 
though  suffering  most  severely,  together,  in  the  face  of  the 
cannon,  threw  themselves  upon  and  scaled  the  walls  of  the 
fort,  pouring  in  with  such  rapidity  as  to  take  several  officers 
and  thirty  men  prisoners,  in  an  instant,  and  to  turn  one  of 
the  guns,  loaded  that  moment  with  canister,  upon  the  garri- 
son, who  were  running  toward  the  next  fort,  stopping  the 
flight  of  many  of  them.  This  was  a  most  gallant  charge 
and  was  of  the  greatest  service,  but  cost  the  lives  of  many. 
To  give  an  idea  of  the  destructive  fire  through  which  these 
two  regiments  made  this  charge,  the  loss  of  the  Tennessee 
regiment,  alone,  one  hundred  killed  and  wounded,  in  a  few 
moments,  out  of  the  whole  number,  three  hundred  and 
seventy-nine,  that  went  into  action,  will  suffice  ;  but  they 
hesitated  not  an  instant.  Five  cannon  were  taken  in  this 
fort,  and  a  large  quantity  of  ammunition  ;  these  cannon  were 
immediately  turned  by  Captain  Ridgely,  of  the  artillery, 
against  the  2d  fort  (marked  I)  and  the  city,  and  they  became 
a  most  important  auxiliary  to  the  operations. 

— While  this  charge  was  making,  Captain  Bragg's  battery 
of  light  artillery  came  down  at  full  gallop,  exposed  for  half 


104  CHARGE  OF  LANCERS  UPON  FIRST  OHIO. 

a  mile  to  the  full  fire  of  the  Black  Fort,  entered  the  street, 
and  proceeded  up  to  Garland's  assistance  ;  Maj.  Gen.  Butler, 
with  the  Ohio  regiment,  under  Col.  Mitchell,  leaving  their 
first  position,  moved  to  reinforce  that  command.  General 
Butler  ordered  another  charge  ;  but,  like  the  first,  it  was  in- 
effectual ;  he  was  wounded ;  several  officers  and  many  men 
were  killed  and  wounded,  and  the  whole,  then  under  General 
Hamer,  withdrew  from  the  town,  and  took  up  a  position  to 
the  left  of  the  fort  No.  1,  now  taken.  Upon  the  Ohio  regi- 
ment, now  under  Lieut.  Col.  Weller,  a  body  of  lancers,  under 
cover  of  the  Black  Fort,  charged  furiously,  but  were  received 
with  a  fire  which  left  many  of  their  number  stretched  upon 
the  field.  They  retreated  ; — were  reinforced  to  near  a  thou- 
sand, and  again  came  down,  but  were  repulsed  again  by 
Bragg's  battery,  which,  taking  rapidly  a  position  under  cover 
of  a  Cornfield,  unperceived  by  the  lancers,  opened  a  heavy 
fire,  so  unexpected  and  destructive,  as  to  drive  them  back 
again  with  confusion  into  the  city,  in  the  rear  of  the  Black 
Fort ;  the  battery,  with  that  of  Captain  Ridgely,  then  took 
a  position  near  the  captured  fort  No.  1,  where  it  remained 
until  ordered  back  to  camp  at  four,  P.  M. 

This  fort  No.  1  was  now  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  other 
forts.  The  Tennessee  and  Mississippi  regiments,  and  the  3d 
and  4th  infantry,  kept  up  a  sharp  engagement  in  this  corner 
of  the  town  ;  the  1st  Kentucky  regiment,  under  Col.  Ormsby, 
had  been  ordered  to  remain  with  the  battery  first  mentioned, 
before  the  Black  Fort,  and  had  been  the  only  protecting  force 
of  that  during  the  day,  all  of  which  time  it  had  continued  its 
fire  upon  the  fort  and  city.  In  the  evening,  the  captured 
fort  No.  l,and  vicinity,  having  been  more  strongly  entrench- 
ed in  the  rear  by  Lieut.  Scarritt,  was  occupied  by  Garland's 
command,  of  the  1st,  2d  and  4th  regiments  regular  infantry, 
and  Ridgely's  battery  of  artillery,  and  also  one  battalion  of 
the  1st  Kentucky ;— the  other  troops  were  withdrawn  and 
ordered  back  to  camp.  Thus  ended,  on  this  part  of  the  city, 
the  bloody  and  hard  fought  battle  of  the  21st. 

The  dead  and  wounded  covered  the  plain  under  the 
range  of  the  Black  fort,  and  lay  thick  before  fort  No.  1, 


WORTH'S  OPERATIONS   ON   TWENTY-FIRST.  105 

mowed  down  in  that  heroic  charge  ;  they  were  scattered  over 
the  cornfields  at  the  edge  of  town;  the  streets  in  which 
Garland's  command  had  been,  were  covered  w7ith  slain  and 
wounded  ;  these  last,  when  Americans,  and  falling  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy,  were  slaughtered  and  barbarously  man- 
gled and  stripped  of  all  their  clothing.  One  officer,  how- 
ever, that  fell  wounded  into  their  hands,  Captain  Williams, 
was  well  treated  during  the  short  time  he  lived,  and  dying 
the  next  day,  he  was  buried  by  them  with  the  honors  of 
war. 

On  the  western  side,  the  division  of  General  Worth  had 
acted  most  gallantly,  and  with  brilliant  success.  After  the 
fight  with  the  lancers  in  the  morning,  the  division  came  in 
range  of  the  high  work  marked  L,  which  opened  upon  them 
with  shot  and  shell ;  killed  Captain  McKavett,  of  the  Sth  in- 
fantry, and  one  man,  and  wounded  others  ;  and  at  noon, 
that  marked  M  was  stormed  and  taken  by  four  hundred  men, 
under  Captain  Smith.  The  fort  was  garrisoned  by  five  or 
six  hundred  Mexican  soldiers,  with  two  nine  pound  cannon ; 
these  retreated  to  the  height  marked  N.  The  force  here  was 
about  sixteen  hundred,  with  a  piece  of  artillery  ;  the  fort 
was  stormed  and  carried  by  the  same  detachment,  in  con- 
junction with  a  larger  one  under  Brig.  Gen.  Smith;  the 
Mexicans  retreated  across  the  valley,  towards  the  other  for- 
tification. 

After  this  height  was  taken,  the  Bishop's  Palace  opposite, 
(marked  on  the  plan  F),  opened  with  shell  and  shot  upon  the 
assailants  in  fort  N.  This  cannonading  continued  until 
night ;  and  thus,  with  this  division,  ended  the  operations  of 
the  21st  instant. 

During  the  night,  the  forces  of  General  Worth  remained 
in  possession  of  the  two  forts,  on  the  heights,  they  had  taken, 
and  slept  on  their  arms.  On  the  lower  part  of  the  city,  Col- 
onel Garland's  command  and  Ridgely's  battery  occupied  the 
captured  fort  No.  1,  and  kept  up  a  cannonade  at  intervals 
upon  the  city,  which  was  answered  by  the  Mexican  batteries 
of  the  Black  Fort,  and  fort  No.  2  (I),  and  also  from  the  smaller 
works.  In  the  darkness,  bodies  of  stragglers  from  the  city 


106  BRAGG'S  ARTILLERY. 

emerged  on  the  plain,  to  rob  the  dying  and  dead ;  the  woun- 
ded survivors  were  dispatched  by  their  knives,  and  all  indis- 
criminately stripped. 

The  dawn  of  day  was  the  signal  for  the  deadly  combat 
to  be  renewed. — On  this  morning,  Tuesday,  the  22d,  the 
troops  of  Taylor's  force  moved  early  from  camp  to  the  scene 
of  action.  General  Quitman,  with  the  Tennessee  and  Mis- 
sissippi regiments,  marched  into  fort  No.  1,  and  relieved 
Garland's  command;  the  remainder  of  the  force  was  drawn 
up  to  the  left  of  the  fort,  manoeuvreing ;  the  object  of  this 
day's  operations,  in  this  quarter,  being  to  divert  the  enemy's 
attention  from  those  of  General  Worth.  On  this  part  of  the 
city  there  was,  on  this  account,  a  continual  cannonading, 
by  the  captured  fort,  upon  the  city,  assisted  by  the  light  bat- 
teries, and  answered  the  heavy  response  of  the  Black  Fort 
and  other  batteries  of  the  enemy. 

Bragg's  light  artillery,  which  had  suffered  much  the  day 
previous,  in  loss  of  men  and  horses,  was  stationed  this  day  to 
keep  open  the  communication  with  the  camp. — This  whole 
end  of  the  city  was,  during  the  day,  wreathed  in  clouds  of 
smoke,  from  the  numerous  batteries  ; — the  enemy  were  kept 
in  continual  expectation  of  another  assault,  and  thus  were 
prevented  from  throwing  more  force  to  repel  the  attacks  of 
General  Worth. 

That  officer  began  his  operations  by  daylight,  storming,  at 
that  time,  the  height  marked  L,  which  was  the  first  that  had, 
on  the  preceding  day,  fired  upon  his  division.  This  fort  was 
taken  without  much  difficulty  ;  —  the  enemy,  foreseeing  the 
attack,  had  removed  the  cannon,  during  the  night,  down  the 
eminence,  to  the  strong  fortification  of  the  Bishop's  Palace  ; 
to  prevent  those  guns  from  being  taken  and  directed  down 
upon  that  strong  hold ;  and  to  this  palace  they  also  retreated 
upon  the  attack  of  the  storming  party.  The  capture  of  the 
latter,  F,  was  now  likely  to  be  a  serious  undertaking ;  it 
could  not  be  stormed,  being  too  high  ;  and  having  now  a 
force  of  two  thousand  men  in  it,  with  several  pieces  of  can- 
non. The  main  body  of  the  assailants  was  concealed  from 
the  view  of  the  Mexicans,  by  the  crest  of  the  ridge  above 


WORTH'S   OPERATIONS   ON  THE  TWENTY-SECOND.  107 

while  four  companies  were  detached  and  sent  rapidly  forward 
to  attack  the  palace ;  these  deployed  separately  around, 
within  a  short  distance  of  the  w^rk ;  every  one  sheltering 
himself  the  best  he  was  able,  behind  the  rocks,  commenced 
firing  at  the  garrison,  picking  them  off  as  fast  as  possible. 
Their  fire  was  answered  by  musketry  and  heavy  cannonading, 
with  canister;  but  no  two  men  being  together,  this  firing  wat« 
thrown  away.  In  the  mean  time,  a  twelve  pound  howitzer 
had  been  dragged  up  the  height,  L  (eight  hundred  feet  ele- 
vation), with  great  labor,  and  placed  in  position,  opening  a 
plunging  fire  into  the  palace  below,  with  such  effect  from  its 
shells,  that  the  Mexicans  sallied  out,  in  a  heavy  body  of  cav- 
alry and  infantry,  and  charged  the  height,  to  retake  it. — 
Their  attack  was  received  with  such  a  deadly  fire,  that  the 
advance  of  lancers  turned  and  fled ;  the  routed  infantry  did 
the  same,  in  great  confusion,  closely  followed  by  their  as- 
sailants, who  quickly  entered  the  palace  ;  the  artillery  of 
which  was  turned  upon  the  fugitives,  who,  running  through, 
were  chased  and  slaughtered  all  the  way  down  the  hill,  into 
the  very  edge  of  the  town. 

The  palace  remained  in  the  hands  of  the  division  ;  its  four 
pieces  of  artillery  were  immediately  turned  down  upon  the 
work,  in  that  end  of  the  city ;  viz.,  the  fortified  cemetery,  (on 
the  Plan,  marked  D).  A  great  quantity  of  ammunition  being 
captured  in  this  palace,  the  firing  from  it,  and  the  height 
opposite,  marked  N.  was  kept  up  during  the  rest  of  the 
day,  and  throughout  the  night,  with  such  effect,  from  the 
well-directed  balls  and  shells,  that  the  Mexican  troops  were 
obliged  to  evacuate  the  cemetery  and  western  part  of  the 
town,  and  retire  in  towards  the  Plaza,  (marked  A,  on  the 
Plan) ;  taking  the  cannon  from  the  cemetery  and  planting 
them  at  the  stone  barricades  in  the  streets,  to  rake  them  for 
their  whole  extent. — Thus  had  General  Worth  succeeded  in 
turning  all  the  defences  on  the  heights  at  this  part  of  the 
city,  into  so  many  points  of  attack.  The  scene  now  pre- 
sented from  the  north,  or  road  to  camp,  of  the  city,  was  grand; 
— the  volumes  of  smoke  rising  from  the  forts  on  the  east,  from 
the  heavy  Black  Fort  in  front,  and  from  the  mortar  battery  in 


108  QUITMAN'S  OPERATIONS  ON  TWENTY-THIRD. 

the  foreground ;  from  the  lofty  heights  on  the  west,  the  same 
volumes  opening  out  and  rolling  away.  These  were  accom- 
panied by  the  continual  thunder  of  the  artillery,  and  loud, 
wiry  noise  of  the  shells,  before  their  explosions. 

Night  was  now  approaching,  and  on  the  eastern  part 
General  Quitman,  with  the  Tennessee  and  Mississippi  regi- 
ments, remained  in  the  captured  fort,  as  the  garrison  for  the 
night,  ready  for  the  operations  of  the  next  day.  and  the 
remainder  of  the  troops  of  this  division  returned  to  camp  ; 
where,  tired  and  exhausted,  they  threw  themselves  down  in 
their  tents  to  sleep.  Thus  ended,  on  both  parts  of  the  city, 
the  battle  of  the  22d. 

Both  parties  being  willing  to  rest  from  the  work  of  de- 
struction for  a  space,  only  an  irregular  cannonading  at  inter- 
vals, was  carried  on  during  the  night.  In  the  morning, 
Wednesday  the  23d,  the  battle  commenced  again  in  all  its 
fury; — during  the  night,  the  enemy  fearing  an  assault,  had 
withdrawn  the  forces  from  the  forts  on  the  east  (marked  I 
and  J),  taking  the  cannon  from  them,  and  retired  a  square 
or  two  towards  the  Plaza  (A,)  where  mounting  the  artillery 
behind  the  stone  barricades,  (some  of  these  twelve  feet 
thick),  and  lining  the  tops  of  the  flat  roofed  buildings  with 
infantry,  where,  protected  themselves,  by  the  parapet  stone 
walls,  they  could  fire  with  effect  into  the  street  below,  they 
determined  to  make  a  desperate  resistance. — The  Black  Fort 
opened  all  its  artillery  upon  the  columns  of  troops  advancing 
from  the  camp  to  the  attack.  While  these  were  advancing 
under  General  Taylor,  General  Quitman  seeing  that  forts  I 
and  J,  mentioned  before,  were  abandoned  by  the  enemy,  sent 
into  the  city  a  part  of  the  Tennessee  and  of  the  Mississippi 
regiments,  who  in  a  few  moments  became  hotly  engaged 
with  the  enemy.  The  remainder  of  these  two  regiments  were 
then  ordered  to  reinforce  them ;  Colonel  Woods'  regiment  of 
Texan  rangers,  dismounted,  under  General  Henderson,  and 
the  third  regiment  of  infantry  followed,  and  a  general  en- 
gagement took  place,  which  lasted  without  intermission  un- 
til near  night.  Captain  Ridgely  from  Fort  No.  1.  (H,)  opened 
a  heavy  and  continued  fire  of  shot  and  shell,  upon  the  city 


WORTH'S  OPERATIONS    ON  TWENTY-THIRD.  109 

and  cathedral  (B) ,  near  the  Plaza;  while  Captain  Bragg's 
artillery  was  employed  against  the  barricades  in  the  streets 
and  the  enemy  on  the  house-tops,  and  the  battle  raged  with 
fury.  The  Texans,  Tennesseeans  and  Mississippians,  entered 
the  houses,  climbed  to  the  roofs,  drove  continually,  the  en- 
emy from  house-top  to  house-top,  while  others  picked  and 
stove  their  way,  through  the  strong  partition  brick  and  stone 
walls  below,  from  house  to  house,  and  room  to  room,  avoid- 
ing the  streets  raked  from  the  barricades,  until  thus,  by  a 
hard  fought  track  through  the  houses,  of  blood  and  death, 
round  the  barricades  on  either  side,  they  opened  upon  the  as- 
tonished Mexican  cannoniers  and  soldiery  afire  from  the  house 
tops  above  them,  and  the  doors  and  windows ;  and  closing 
around  on  the  rear,  captured  the  guns,  compelling  the  enemy 
to  retire.  So  from  house-top  to  house-top,  and  through  wall 
after  wall,  they  advanced,  driving  the  enemy  before  them. 

While  this  severe  fighting  was  going  on  in  and  around 
the  squares  of  the  eastern  part  of  the  city,  General  Worth 
from  the  Bishop's  Palace,  attacked  the  western  part.  His 
division  moved  in  two  columns,  and  quickly  reached  the  cem- 
etery (marked  D,)  where  he  planted  a  mortar,  and  immedi- 
ately commenced  throwing  shells  into  the  Plaza  (A.)  the 
main  body  of  the  enemy  being  there.  These  shells  did  much 
execution  in  that  crowd  of  soldiers,  killing  them  by  scores. 
The  division  was  separated  into  many  small  detachments  of 
fifty  or  sixty  each,  and  ordered  to  take  different  streets  and 
squares  in  driving  in  the  enemy.  They  suffered  very  little 
from  his  cannon  in  the  street,  working,  like  those  in  the  other 
end,  through  the  buildings  ;  and  on  the  house-tops,  firing  from 
parapet  wall  to  parapet  wall;  their  sure  aim  took  any  Mexi- 
can whose  head  was  in  view.  The  Texas  rangers  here,  were 
of  the  greatest  service.  Foot  by  foot,  and  house  by  house,  the 
enemy  were  driven  in  towards  the  Plaza,  and  when  night 
ended  the  conflict  of  both  divisions,  the  enemy  were  reduced 
in  possession  of  the  city,  to  a  few  squares  around  the  Plaza, 
showed  by  the  dotted  line  (marked  K,  K).  These  house-tops 
joining  each  other  for  sometimes  the  whole  length  of  a 
square,  the  advance  of  a  square  was  rapidly  made.  The 

i  " /    r  •  >ii!?rtiA  "'f-'  "V  ;  <t ;•!•:-.;    -T"  '.'it 


HO  GENERAL  AMPUDIA'S  PROPOSAL. 

destruction  and  carnage  now  \vas  terrible. — On  the  approach 
of  night,  the  troops  on  the  eastern  side  were  withdrawn  to 
the  captured  forts,  and  Gen.  Quitman's  brigade  of  1st  Ten- 
nessee and  Mississippi  regiments,  having  been  on  duty  since 
the  morning  of  the  day  before,  continually  fighting,  without 
food  by  day,  or  shelter  or  blankets  during  the  rainy  night, 
were  now  relieved,  by  Gen.  Hamer's  brigade,  of  1st  Ohio  and 
1st  Kentucky  regiments,  and  Capt.  Webster's  artillery. 

Darkness,  as  before,  stopped,  for  the  time,  the  sanguinary 
scene ;  though  shells  were,  all  the  night,  thrown  from  Worth's 
mortar  into  the  Plaza,  which  were  very  destructive.  This 
night,  Gen.  Worth  had  three  cannon  hoisted  on  the  top  of 
a  building,  and  also  two  nine  pounders  placed  in  battery 
on  the  height,  in  the  rear  of  the  city,  (marked  0,in  the  plan,) 
and  all  things  were  in  readiness  for  the  renewal  of  the  com- 
bat in  the  morning ;  and  thus  ended  the  battle  of  the  23d. 

On  Thursday  the  24th,  the  battle  was  renewed,  but  such 
had  been  the  terrible  effect  of  the  assault,  the  day  before, 
that  a  flag  of  truce  was  sent  out  from  General  Ampudia, 
commander-in-chief  of  the  Mexican  forces,  to  General  Taylor, 
by  Colonel  Moreno,  adjutant  general  of  the  Mexican  army, 
bearing  the  following  communication : 

"  HEADQUARTERS,  AT  MONTEREY, 

Sept.  23,  1846,  9  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Senor  Major  General — Having  made  the  defence  of  which,  I  believe 
this  city  susceptible,  I  have  fulfilled  my  duty,  and  have  satisfied  that 
military  honor  which,  in  a  certain  manner,  is  common  to  all  armies  of 
the  civilized  world. 

To  prosecute  the  defence,  therefore,  would  only  result  in  distress  to 
the  population,  who  have  already  suffered  enough  from  the  misfortunes 
consequent  on  war  ;  and  taking  it  for  granted  that  the  American  Go- 
vernment has  manifested  a  disposition  to  negociate,  I  propose  to  evacu- 
ate the  city  and  its  fort,  taking  with  me  the  personelle  and  materielle 
which  have  remained,  and  under  the  assurance  that  no  harm  shall  ensue 
to  the  inhabitants  who  have  taken  a  part  in  the  defence. 

Be  pleased  to  accept  the  assurance  of  my  most  distinguished  consid- 
eration. PEDRO  DE  AMPUDIA. 

To  Senor  Don  Z.   TAYLOR, 

General-in-chiefof  the  American  Army." 


CESSATION    OF    HOSTILITIES.  Ill 

All  hostilities  ceased  for  the  time,  and  General  Taylor  sent 
back  the  following  reply  : 

"  HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  OCCUPATION, 
Camp  before  Monterey,  Sept.  24,  1846. 

Sir, — Your  communication,  bearing  date  at  nine  o'clock  P.  M.  on 
the  23d  inst.,  has  just  been  received  by  the  hands  of  Col.  Moreno. 

In  answer  to  your  proposition  to  evacuate  the  city  and  fort  with  all 
the  personal  and  material  of  war,  I  have  to  state  that  my  duty  compels 
me  to  decline  acceding  to  it.  A  complete  surrender  of  the  town  and 
garrison,  the  latter  as  prisoners  of  war,  is  now  demanded.  But  such 
Surrender  will  be  upon  terms,  and  the  gallant  defence  of  the  place,  cre- 
ditable alike  to  the  Mexican  troops  and  nation,  will  prompt  me  to  make 
these  terms  as  liberal  as  possible.  The  garrison  will  be  allowed,  at 
your  option,  after  laying  down  its  arms,  to  retire  to  the  interior  on 
condition  of  not  serving  again  during  the  war,  or  until  regularly  ex- 
changed. I  need  hardly  say  that  the  rights  of  non-combatants  will  be 
respected. 

An  answer  to  this  communication  is  required  by  12  o'clock.  If 
you  assent  to  an  accommodation,  an  officer  will  be  dispatched  at  once, 
under  instructions  to  arrange  the  conditions. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Z.  TAYLOR, 

Maj.  Gen.  U.S.  Army  commanding. 
Senor  D.  PEDRO  DE  AMPUDIA. 

General-in-chief,  Monterey  " 

At  1 1  o'clock,  General  Ampudia  requested  a  personal  con- 
ference with  General  Taylor,  which  was  granted,  and  after 
some  delay,  it  resulted  in  the  appointment  of  commissioners 
for  the  capitulation  of  the  city.  These  were,  by  General 
Taylor,  Brigadier-general  Worth,  General  Henderson,  Go- 
vernor of  Texas,  and  Colonel  Davis,  of  the  Mississippi  regi- 
ment. Those  appointed  by  General  Ampudia,  were  General 
Tomas  Requena,  of  the  artillery,  General  Ortega,  and  Don 
Manuel  M.  Llano. 

The  terms  of  capitulation  agreed  on  were  as  follows,  viz  : 


112  TERMS  OF  CAPITULATION  OF 

"  Terms  of  capitulation  of  the  city  of  Monterey,  the  capital  of  Nuevo 
Leon,  agreed  upon  by  the  undersigned  commissioners,  to  wit:  Gen 
eral  Worth,  of  the  United  States'  army  ;  General  Henderson,  of  the 
Texan  volunteers,  and  Colonel  Davis,  of  the  Mississippi  riflemen, 
on  the  part  of  Major  General  Taylor,  commanding-in-chief  the 
United  States'  forces ;  and  General  Requena  and  General  Ortega, 
of  the  army  of  Mexico,  and  Senor  Manuel  Llano,  governor  of 
Nuevo  Leon,  on  the  part  of  Senor  General  Don  Pedro  Ampudia, 
commanding-in-chief  the  army  in  the  north  of  Mexico. 

ART.  1.  As  the  legitimate  result  of  the  operations  before  this  place, 
and  the  present  position  of  the  contending  armies,  it  is  agreed  that 
the  city,  the  fortifications,  cannon,  the  munitions  of  war,  and  all  other 
public  property,  with  the  undermentioned  exceptions,  be  surrendered 
to  the  commanding  general  of  the  United  States'  forces,  now  at  Mon- 
terey. 

ART.  2.  That  the  Mexican  forces  be  allowed  to  retain  the  follow- 
ing arms,  to  wit :  the  commissioned  officers  their  side  arms,  the  in- 
fantry their  arms  and  accoutrements,  the  cavalry,  their  arms  and  accou- 
trements, the  artillery  one  field  battery,  not  to  exceed  six  pieces,  with 
twenty-one  rounds  of  ammunition. 

ART.  3.  That  the  Mexican  armed  forces  retire  within  seven  days 
from  this  date,  beyond  the  line  formed  by  the  pass  of  the  Rinconada, 
the  city  of  Linares,  and  San  Fernando  de  Presas. 

ART.  4.  That  the  citadel  of  Monterey  be  evacuated  by  the  Mexi- 
can, and  occupied  by  the  American  forces,  to-morrow  morning,  at  10 
o'clock. 

ART.  5.  To  avoid  collisions,  and  for  mutual  convenience,  the 
troops  of  the  United  States  will  not  occupy  the  city  until  the  Mexican 
forces  have  withdrawn,  except  for  hospital  and  storage  purposes. 

ART.  6.  That  the  forces  of  the  United  States  will  not  advance  be- 
yond the  line  specified  in  the  2d  (3d)  article  before  the  expiration  of 
eight  weeks,  or  until  the  orders  or  instructions  of  the  respective  go- 
vernments can  be  received. 

ART.  7.  That  the  public  property  to  be  delivered  shall  be  turned 
over  and  received  by  officers  appointed  by  the  commanding  generals 
of  the  two  armies. 

ART.  8.  That  all  doubts  as  to  the  meaning  of  any  of  the  preceding 
articles  shall  be  solved  by  an  equitable  construction,  and  on  principles 
of  liberality  to  the  retiring  army. 


THE   CITY  OF  MONTEREY.  113 

ART.  9.  The  Mexican  flag,  when  struck  at  the  citadel,  may  be  sa- 
luted by  its  own  battery. 

Done  at  Monterey,  September  24th,  1846. 

W.  J.  WORTH,  Brig.  Gen.  U.  S.  Army. 
J.  P.  HENDERSON, My.  Gen.  com'g  Texan  Vol. 
,        JEFFERSON  DAVIS,  Colonel  Miss.  Riflemen. 
MANUEL  M.  LLANO. 
T.  REQUENA. 
ORTEGA. 

Approved : 

PEDRO  AMPUDIA. 

Z.  TAYLOR,  Brig.  Gen.U.  S.  army  command' g." 

The  Black  Fort  or  citadel,  mentioned  in  article  fourth, 
was  evacuated  the  following  morning,  Friday,  the  25th,  and 
taken  possession  of  by  our  troops  ;  and  the  city  also,  accord- 
ing to  the  terms  of  the  capitulation.  When  our  forces  en- 
tered and  examined  the  city,  they  were  astonished  at  the 
magnitude  and  strength  of  the  defences,  and  only  wondered 
that  it  had  been  taken  at  all. 

So  fell  the  city  of  Monterey,  the  capital  of  the  State  of 
New  Leon,  the  strongest  city  in  the  north  of  Mexico,  with  a 
full  supply  of  munitions  of  war,  and  with  a  garrison  of  over 
ten  thousand  men,  protected  by  the  most  formidable  entrench- 
ments and  fortifications ;  after  three  days'  hard  fighting  be- 
fore the  bravery  and  determined  perseverance  of  six  thou- 
sand Americans,  more  than  half  of  whom  never  had  been  in 
a  battle  before.  The  American  loss,  in  these  three  days, 
was  five  hundred  and  fifty  killed  and  wounded;  Mexican, 
never  ascertained  exactly,  but  between  twelve  and  fifteen 
hundred.  The  hospitals  were  filled  with  their  wounded,  left 
to  the  care  of  the  invaders. 

The  volunteer  regiments,  through  these  battles,  excited,  by 

their  gallantry  and  unflinching  firmness,  the  admiration  of 

all  the  regular  officers  and  troops  ;  acting  more  like  veteran 

soldiers,  than  like  men  but  a  few  weeks  from  the  pursuits  of 

8 


114 


KILLED  AND  WOUNDED. 


peaceful  life.     The  killed  and  wounded  of  these  volunteer 
regiments  were  as  follows  : 

FIRST   TENNESSEE    REGIMENT— COLONEL   CAMPBELL. 


No. 

NAMES. 

RANK. 

COMP. 

REMARKS. 

k  !  1-  I->.  1'. 

1 

W.  B.  Allen  .... 

Captain 

Killed  on  the  21st 

2 

rf.  M.  Putman  .    .    . 

2d  Lieuten. 

" 

1 

John  B.  Porter  .    .    . 

Private 

C 

" 

2 

William  H.  Robinson 

u 

u 

u 

3 

John  A.  Hill  .    .    .    . 

Sergeant 

D 

u 

4 

B.  F.  Coffee  .... 

Private 

" 

u 

5 

E.  W.  Thomas  .    .    . 

" 

E 

tt 

6 

Booker  H.  Dolton  .    . 

« 

F 

U 

7 

Isaac  (iurman  Elliot  . 

u 

G 

u 

8 

Peter  H.  Martin    .    . 

« 

u 

u 

9 

Edward  Pryor  .    .    . 

u 

« 

u 

10 

Benjamin  Soaper  .    . 

u 

M 

" 

11 

Henry  Collins  .    .    . 

u 

H 

u 

12 

James  H.  Allison  .    . 

it 

I 

m 

13 

James  H.  Johnston  . 

u 

" 

u 

14 

James  B.  Turner  .    . 

* 

" 

u 

15 

R.  D.Willis.    .    .    . 

u 

u 

• 

16 

Joseph  B.  Burkitt  .    . 

« 

K 

u 

17 

Jas.  M.  L.  Campbell  . 

<t 

u 

18 

A.  J.Eaton  .... 

tt 

u 

19 

A.  J.  Gibson  .... 

• 

u 

20 

Finlay  Glover   .    .   . 

u 

* 

21 

A.  J.  Pratt    .... 

u 

• 

22 

William  Rhodes   .    . 

a 

« 

23 

John  W.  Sanders  .    . 

« 

tt 

24 

G.  W.  Wilson  .   .   . 

u 

" 

• 

Will    MIKII. 

1 

R.  B.  Alexander   .    . 

Major 

Wounded  on  the  21st,  severely. 

2 

J.  L.  Scudder    .    .    . 

1st  Lieut 

u                            w 

3 

G.H.Nixon     .   .   . 

u 

u                            u 

slightly. 

4 

J.  C.  Allen    .... 

2d  Lieut 

u                          u 

severely. 

1 

F.  F.  Winston  .    .    . 

Corporal 

B 

u                          « 

slightly. 

2 

J.  L.  Bryant  .... 

Private 

u 

u                            " 

severely. 

3 

Alexander  Bigam  .    . 

« 

u 

u                            « 

" 

4 

D.  G.  Fleming  .    .    . 

it 

u 

«                    (( 

« 

5 

Ma  c  key  Roney  .   .    . 

M 

M 

K                                     » 

Cl 

6 

Samuel  Davis    .    .    . 

" 

" 

M                                           < 

« 

7 

James  Thompson  .    . 

U 

u 

II                                          1 

(( 

8 

David  Colons    .    .    . 

« 

" 

K                                          t 

severely 

9 

A.  8.  Duval  .... 

u 

H 

tl                                           < 

slightly. 

10 

T.  B.  Powell     .    .    . 

u 

u 

«(                                           ( 

« 

11 

Wm.  B.  Davis  .    .    . 

u 

c 

«                                           I 

« 

12 

Joseph  Law  .... 

u 

u 

(I                                           C 

«    , 

13 

James  York  .... 

m 

« 

« 

mortally 

14 

William  Young    .    . 

« 

u 

« 

n 

15 

Richard  Gifford  .    .    . 

u 

u 

« 

slightly. 

16 

A.  V.  Stanfield  .    .    . 

u 

u 

« 

« 

17 

Asa  Lamb     .... 

u 

u 

< 

<« 

18 

J.  J.  Argo  

Corporal 

D 

< 

« 

19 

James  Todd  .... 

Private 

« 

( 

severely. 

20 

Thomas  Vickens  .    . 

« 

M 

« 

« 

21 

W.  D.  Cabler    .    .    . 

a 

£ 

( 

since  dead. 

KILLED   AND   WOUNDED. 


115 


TENNESSEE    REGIMENT CONTINUED. 


No. 

NAMES. 

RANK. 

COMP. 

REMARKS. 

22 

James  M.  Vance  .   • 

1st  Serg. 

F 

Wounded  on  the  21st,  severely. 

23 

George  W.  Gilbert    . 

Sergeant 

1C 

"                     "      slightly. 

24 

Chas.  M.  Talley    .    . 

Private 

cc 

II                                         II                    « 

25 

Michael  Crantze    .    . 

u 

m 

"                     "      severely. 

26 

R.  C.  Locke  .... 

u 

u 

it                     ii          ii 

27 

J.  F.  Raphile  .... 

H 

" 

"                         since  dead. 

28 

Thomas  Kelly  .    .    . 

u 

« 

severely. 

29 

AlbertTomlinson  .    . 

u 

« 

« 

30 

Julius  C.  Elliott    .    . 

Corporal 

C 

1C 

31 

R.  A.  Cole     .        .    . 

Private 

G 

slightly. 

32 

James  H.  Jenkins     . 

« 

« 

severely. 

33 

A.  G.  Stewart   .    .    . 

« 

« 

ii 

34 

Gulinger  Holt    .    .    . 

Sergeant 

H 

ii 

35 

James  Patterson    .    . 

Corporal 

W 

slightly. 

36 

Charles  Arnold     .    . 

Private 

CI 

ii 

37 

J.  J.  Blackwell  .    .    . 

u 

u 

ii 

38 

Joseph  Crutchfield    . 

II 

u 

ii 

39 

J.  Freeman    .... 

1C 

1C 

severely 

40 

J.  D.  Gilmer  .... 

cc 

1C 

ii 

41 

P.  O.  Hale    .... 

CI 

II 

slightly. 

42 

Daniel  C.  King     .    . 

1C 

II 

severely. 

43 

C.  B.  Maguire  .    .    . 

" 

1C 

cc 

44 

S.  S.  Reaves  .... 

II 

II 

" 

45 

A.  W.  Reaves   .    .    . 

tf 

CI 

slightly. 

46 

Augustin  Stevens  .    . 

a 

II 

ii 

47 

Thomas  N.  Smith     . 

u 

u 

ii 

48 

C.  B.  Ward  .... 

it 

M 

" 

49 

Charles  Davis    .    .    . 

1st  Serg. 

I 

severely. 

50 

Robert  W.  Green  .    . 

Corporal 

« 

1C 

51 

Eli  Brown     .... 

Private 

1C 

1C 

52 

W.  F.  Bowen   .    .    . 

(C 

cc 

ii 

53 

Peter  Eugles  .... 

(C 

« 

H 

54 

Robert  Flannigan  .    . 

" 

• 

II 

55 

William-  Lowery  .    . 

" 

" 

slightly. 

56 

S.  N.  Massy  .... 

u 

« 

1C 

57 

E.  G.  Zachary  .    .    . 

H 

« 

severely. 

58 

W.  M.  Alferd    .    .    . 

Corporal 

K 

ii 

59 

John  H.  Kay     .    .    . 

1C 

" 

ii 

60 

A.  S.  Alexander    .    . 

Private 

cc 

ii 

61 

M.  C.  Abinathy    .    . 

1C 

1C 

slightly. 

62 

Jesse  Brashars  .    .    . 

II 

« 

severely. 

63 

J.  M.  Bailey  .... 

II 

M 

ii 

64 

Campbell  G.  Boyd     . 

" 

" 

ci 

65 

B.  L.  Commons    .    . 

II 

1C 

slightly. 

66 

J.  W.  Curtis     .    .    . 

1C 

" 

severely 

67 

H.  H.  Dodson   .    .    . 

cc 

II 

" 

68 

John  Gavin   .... 

cc 

II 

slightly. 

69 

Aaron  Parks     .    .    . 

1C 

II 

1C 

70 

F.  Richardson    .    .    . 

C 

II 

severely 

71 

A.  O.  Richardson  .    . 

I 

II 

ii 

72 

Thomas  C.  Ramsay  . 

C 

cc 

ii 

73 

John  Vining  .... 

1 

cc 

ii 

74 

M.  D.  Watson  .    .    . 

I 

II 

ii 

75 

Thomas  Thompson  . 

" 

F 

23d 

MISSING. 

1 

Felix  Wordzincki  .    . 

Private 

F 

Missing  on  21st,rcturn'd  unhurt 

2 

R.  R.  Morehead     .    . 

1C 

I 

Certainly  killed  in  action  of  21st 

116 


KILLED  AND   WOUNDED. 


MISSISSIPPI    REGIMENT— COLONEL    DAVIS. 


No 

NA.MKS. 

RANK. 

COMP. 

REMARKS. 

KILLKII. 

I 

L.  M.  Troeur    .    .    . 

Private 

C 

Killed  on  the  21st 

i 

Silas  Mitcham  .    .    . 

« 

E 

i                  i 

I 

Samuel  PotU     .    .    . 

H 

G 

i                  < 

4 

Joseph  H.  Tenelle    . 

ii 

H 

i                  i 

5 

U'illi.iin  H.  Grisam  . 

Corporal 

I 

«                  i 

6 

Joseph  Heaton  .    .    . 

Private 

ii 

i 

1 

Joseph  Downing  .    . 

ii 

ii 

< 

8 

Daniel  D.  Dubois  .    . 

II 

H 

22d 

9 

John  M.  Tyree  .    .    . 

II 

K 

23d 

WOUNDED. 

1 
2 

Alex.  K.  M'Clung    . 
R.  N.  Downing    .    . 

Lieut-col. 
Captain 

Wo  nded  on  21st,  dangerously. 
"    severely. 

3 

Henry  T.  Cook     .    . 

1st  Lieut. 

"    slightly. 

4 

Rufus  K.  Arthur    .    . 

2d  Lieut 

ii         ii 

5 

L.  T.  Howard  .    .    . 

ii 

22d  &  23d,  severely. 

1 
2 

Henry  H.  Miller  . 
J.  H.  Jackson    .    .    . 

Private 
ii 

B 

it 

21st,  dangerously. 
«<         ii 

3 

A.  Lainhart  .... 

ii 

ii 

"    severely. 

4 

J.  L.  Anderson  .    .    . 

ii 

ii 

"    slightly. 

6 

G.H.Jones  .... 

ii 

ii 

1C               (I 

6 

John  D.  Markham    . 

Corporal 

C 

"    severely. 

7 

H.  B.  Thompson  .    . 

Private 

ii 

"    slightly. 

8 

B.  W.  Hollingsworth 

Sergeant 

D 

(i         ii 

9 
10 
11 
12 

Dr.  G.  W.  Ramsay  . 
Alphius  Cobb    .    .    . 
George  Wills     .    .    . 
W.  Huffman     .    .    . 

Private 
ii 
ii 
ii 

(i 
ii 
ii 
n 

"    mortally. 
"    dangerously 
"    severely. 

II                II 

13 

O.  W.  Jones  .... 

ii 

n 

ii         (i 

14 
15 

William  Orr  .... 
D.  Love     

ii 
(i 

ii 

ii 

slightly, 
ii 

16 

Joseph  H.  Langford  . 

Sergeant 

E 

ii 

17 
18 
19 

A.  P.  Barnham     .    . 
H.  W.  Pierce    .    .    . 
William  Shadt  .    . 

Private 
it 
ii 

ii 

it 
ii 

mortally. 

dangerously. 
ii 

20 
21 
22 

W.H.Fleming     .    . 
facob  Frederick    .    . 
fohn  Coleman  .    .    . 

ii 
ii 
(i 

ii 
ii 
ii 

severely, 
slightly. 
(i 

23 

Wm.  P.  Spencer  .    . 

ii 

ii 

«i 

24 

M.  M.  Smith     .    .    . 

i« 

ii 

ii 

25 

fames  Kilvey     .    .    . 

it 

ii 

ii 

26 

27 

f.  Williamson  .    .    . 
A.  W.  Taig  .... 

ii 
ii 

G 

ii 

dangerously. 
ii 

28 
29 

Warren  White  .    . 
Robert  Bowen  . 

ii 

ii 

ii 
ii 

severely. 
ii 

30 
31 
32 

^rederick  Mathews  . 
icnj.  F.  Roberts    .    . 
Avery  Noland   .    .    . 

ii 
ii 
K 

ii 
ii 
ii 

mortally, 
slightly. 

K 

33 
34 
35 

•"rands  A.  Wolf  .    . 
3.  F.  Cotton     .    .    . 
Jeo.  Williams  .    .    . 

Sergeant 
Private 
ii 

I 

it 

dangerously, 
severely, 
ii 

36 
37 
38 

^at  Massie    .... 
William  H.  Bell   .    . 
5.  B.  Lewis  .... 

Cl 

Sergeant 
Private 

ii 

K 

ii 

slightly, 
dangerously. 

1C 

39 

X  B.  Lewis  .    . 

ii 

it 

ff 

40 

Charles  Martin  . 

K 

ii 

(1 

41 
42 

ames  L.  Thompson  . 
ohn  Stewart     .    . 

II 
II 

ii 

slightly. 

M 

KILLED  AND   WOUNDED. 
MISSISSIPPI    REGIMENT CONTINUED. 


117 


No.  j               NAMES. 

RANK. 

COMP. 

REMARKS. 

43    John  McNorris  .    .    . 
44  '  R.  W.  Chance  .    .    . 
45  ,  P.  W.  Johnson  .    .    . 
46    Robert  Grigg  .... 
47  i  Platt  Snedicor  .    .    . 

Private 
« 

n 
« 

u 

K 
B 
G 
H 
K 

Wounded  on  21st,  slightly. 
«  22d  &  23d,  mortally. 
"                 "    severely. 
"                 "    slightly. 
"                 "    mortally. 

FIRST    OHIO    REGIMENT COLONEL    MITCHELL. 


Vo. 

NAMES. 

RANK. 

COMP. 

REMARKS. 

KILLED. 

1 

Mathew  Hett     .    .    . 

1st  Lieut 

Killed  on  the  21st 

1 

W.  G.  Davis     .    .    . 

1st  Serg. 

B 

" 

(C 

2 

D.  F.  Smith  .... 

Private 

« 

«« 

ft 

3 

0.  B.  Coxe    .... 

« 

«« 

« 

ft 

4 

Elijah  Reese  .... 

it 

M 

" 

u 

5 

Thomas  McMurray  . 

" 

" 

" 

it 

6 

W.H.Harris    .    .    . 

Corporal 

1st  Rifle 

it 

tt 

7 

Richard  Welch  .    .    . 

Private 

A 

" 

tt 

8 

James  McCockey  .    . 

«« 

C 

•' 

it 

9 

George  Phale    .    .    . 

« 

" 

1 

it 

10 

William  Weber    .    . 

«< 

« 

• 

it 

11 

John  Havolett   .    .    . 

<« 

D 

« 

it 

12 

T.  D.  Egan  .... 

<« 

E 

« 

n 

13 

Stephen  Freeman  .    . 

" 

2d  Rifle 

' 

it 

14 

Oscar  Behnee    .    .    . 

" 

" 

i 

ti 

WOUNDED. 

W.  0.  Butler    .    .    . 

Maj.  Gen. 

Wounded  on  21st,  severely. 

1 

A.  M.  Mitchell  .    .    . 

Colonel 

" 

if 

severely. 

2 

A.  W.  Armstrong     . 

Lt  &  Adj. 

" 

it 

" 

3 

Lewis  Morter    .    .    . 

1st  Lieut 

" 

ft 

slightly. 

4 

N.  H.  Niles  .... 

tt 

H 

it 

severely 

5 

H.  McCarty  .... 

2d  Lieut 

ft 

it 

slightly. 

6 

James  George    .    .    . 

Captain 

a 

it 

" 

I 

Samuel  Myers  .    .    . 

Private 

1st  Rifle 

ft 

it 

M 

2 

Josiah  A.  Kellam  .    . 

ft 

" 

n 

ft 

<« 

3 

Edward  Wade  .    .    . 

tt 

« 

«< 

tt 

« 

4 

William  Maloney  .    . 

1st  Serg.             A 

u 

ft 

ft 

5 

John  Farrell  .... 

Private 

" 

" 

tt 

It 

6 

John  Clarken    .    .    . 

«                 a 

" 

ft 

t 

7 

William  Work  .    .    . 

tt                 it 

it 

tt 

t 

8 

Thos.  Vande  Venter  . 

ft                 a 

it 

tt 

t 

9 

John  Flannigan    .    . 

it                 tt 

it 

it 

1 

10 

Jeremiah  Ryan  .    .    . 

«                 ft 

it 

it 

1 

11 

Michael  Gilligan  .    . 

<                 ft 

it 

ft 

tl 

12 

Tobias  Went     .    .    . 

•                C 

" 

ft 

13 

Charles  Segar   .    .    . 

' 

" 

" 

it 

14 

Griffin  Lowerd  .    .    . 

«               D 

a 

t 

15 

Alfred  Doneghue  .    . 

<                tt 

it 

•t 

16 

Joseph  Lombeck   .    . 

n 

" 

it 

it 

17 

Silas  Burrill  .... 

M 

" 

it 

tt 

18 

William  Miller  .    .    . 

Sergeant 

E 

n 

it 

19 

G.  W.  Fitzhugh   .   . 

Corporal 

" 

K 

n 

20 

Robert  Doney    .    .    . 

Private 

" 

H 

ft 

21 

Adam  F.  Shane    .    . 

(C 

G 

If 

it 

22 

John  Fletcher    .    .    . 

« 

» 

tt 

tt 

23 

A.  B.  McKee    .    .    . 

" 

«« 

U 

1 

U 

24 

George  Myer     .    .    . 

Corporal      1      H 

u 

tt 

It 

118 


KILLED   AND  WOUNDED. 


FIRST   OHIO   REGIMENT CONTINUED. 


No. 

NAMK8. 

RANK. 

COMP. 

REMARKS. 

25 

E.  J.  Spoole  •   .    .    . 

Private 

H 

Wounded  on  21st,  slightly. 

26 

Henry  Weber   .    .    . 

" 

" 

a                 a         a 

27 

Henry  Myer  .... 

M 

" 

a                 a         it 

28 

Gecrge  Webster    .    . 

Sergeant 

2d  Rifle 

i                 ti         it 

29 

George  Longfellow   . 

" 

" 

i                 ii         u 

30 

John  F.  Longley  .    . 

Corporal 

ii 

i                  u         ii 

31 

John  Pearson    .    .    . 

Private 

" 

'                 "      died  since. 

32 

R.  H.  Alcott.    .    .    . 

«« 

" 

i                 ii         u 

33 

Henry  Humphries    . 

" 

" 

U                            U               H 

FIRST    KENTUCKY   REGIMENT COLONEL   ORMSBY. 


No.                NAMES. 

RANK. 

COMP. 

REMARKS. 

I  Valentine  Deutche  . 

Private 

Wounded  on  the  21st 

2  Lewis  Young  .  .  . 
3  ,  Joseph  Bartlett  .  .  . 
4  Philip  Smith  .... 
5  •  Thomas  A  lender  .  . 

ii 
(i 

I 
K 

W 
K 
•  1 

II 

on  the  22d. 
ii 
it 

COLONEL    HAYS      REGIMENT TEXAS    RANGERS. 


No. 

NAMES. 

RANK. 

COMP. 

REMARKS. 

KILLED. 

1 

R.  A.  Gillaspie  .    .    . 

Captain 

I 

Killed  on  the  2  1st 

2 

John  M.  Fullerton    . 

Corporal 

K 

«                 « 

3 

J.  W.  D.  Austin   .    . 

Private 

E 

«i                 « 

4 

Daniel  McCarty    .    . 

« 

D 

(C                                 (( 

5 

Herman  S.  Thomas  . 

« 

A 

II                           K 

WOCWDKD. 

1 
2 

Armstrong    .    . 
Fielding  Alston    .    . 

u 

a 

< 
i 

Wounded  on  21st,  severely. 
<( 

3 

John  P.  Waters    .    . 

it 

i 

« 

4 

0.  E.  DeWitt.    .    . 

t 

< 

ii 

5 

Oliver  Jenkins  .    .    . 

i 

i 

11                      slightly. 

6 

J.  F.Minter  .... 

t 

i 

it                          a 

7 

Thomas  Law    .    .    . 

t 

i 

ii 

8 

John  Robb     .... 

t 

C 

i 

9 

Wm.  E.  Reese  .    .    . 

Lieut 

D 

i 

10 

Jesse  Perkins    .    .    . 

Private 

E 

i 

11 

N.  P.  Browning   .    . 

M 

F 

i 

12 

Roundtree    .    . 

Sergeant 

G 

< 

13 

J.B.Walker.    .    .    . 

Corporal 

H 

< 

14 

15 
16 

Wm.  Corley  .... 
Gilbert  Brush    .    .    . 
J.  B.  Barry    .    . 

Private 
« 

Sergeant 

« 
a 
K 

'                     seyerely.     » 
'                     slightly. 

1                              H               II 

17 

B.  F.  Keys    .... 

Private 

K 

1                           ft              U 

HISSING. 

1 
2 

J.Buchanan  .... 
H.  P.  Lyon   .... 

»t 
it 

H 
« 

Missing  on  the  21st 
«                ii 

8 

C.  W  Tufts  .... 

i< 

« 

It                           H 

KILLED  AND  WOUNDED. 


119 


BALTIMORE  BATTALION. 


Vo. 

NAMES. 

RANK. 

COM  P. 

REMARKS. 

KILLED. 

1 

Wm.  H.  Watson  .    . 

Lieut-col. 

Killed  on  the  21st. 

2 

John  Trescort   .    .    . 

1st  Serg. 

B 

«                i< 

3 

G.  A.  Herring  .    .    . 

Sergeant 

F 

»                 « 

4 

Alex.  Ramsey    .    .    . 

Private 

E 

"                 " 

5 

Joseph  Warry  .    .    . 

a 

" 

11                « 

6 

Patrick  O'Brien     .    . 

a 

B 

n                 ti 

WOUNDED. 

1 

W.P.  Poulson      .    . 

1st  Serg. 

" 

Wounded  on  the  21st,  slightly. 

2 

Robert  Caples   .    .    . 

Private 

A 

«                      "      severely. 

3 

James  Piles   .... 

" 

«                      <<          « 

4 

Albert  Hart  .... 

« 

<                      <(          « 

5 

William  Lee  .... 

« 

<                       <          a 

6 

Jacob  Hemming    .    . 

B 

1                        '       slightly. 

7 

Geo.  Aunuld  .... 

" 

«                       «      severely. 

8 

Chas.  Peck    .... 

D 

«                       '      slightly. 

9 

Andrew  J.  Norris  .    . 

« 

«                                      |                41 

10 

Geo.  Allen  

E 

(                               <             11 

11 

Jas.  Henry     .... 

I                           t            11 

12 

Harry  Elting     .    .    . 

F 

1                                     IK 

13 

Wm.  Kelly    .... 

« 

M                             severely. 

14 

H.  Gifford  

« 

'                       '      slightly. 

15 

Melvin  J.  Stone     .    . 

II 

<                                 << 

16 

E.  W.  Stephenson    . 

" 

<                                 .. 

17 

Wm.  P.  Alexander  . 

A 

'                              severely 

COLONEL  WOODS  REGIMENT TEXAS  RANGERS. 

KILLED, George  Short,  Thomas  Gregory. 

WOUWDED, Baker  Barton,  Chas.  G.  Davenport, 

"  Ira  Griggsby,  Calvin  Reese. 

PHffiNIX   COMPANY,   LOUISIANA,    CAPTAIN   BLANCHARD. 

KIIXKD S.  G.  Alleng,  John  Francis. 

WOUKDBD, Louis  Kirk,  J.  W.  Miller, 

«          W.  Burton,  M.  Morton. 


CAPTAIN   SHIVERS     COMPANY TEXAS    INFANTRY. 

KILLED, James  C.  Pennington. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

WE  Will  now  return  to  the  march  of  the  regiment  that  was 
left,  at  the  close  of  chapter  III,  in  the  midst  of  the  beautiful 
section  of  country  between  the  Brazos  and  Colorado  rivers,  in 
Texas,  on  September  24th — so  far  on  the  march  to  the  seat 
of  war. 

On  the  evening  of  the  24th,  the  regiment  encamped  in  a 
valley,  and  on  the  side  of  a  long  hill,  covered  with  large 
timber.  On  the  top  of  this  hill  was  an  extensive  farm,  from 
which  the  necessary  forage  for  the  night  was  procured.  Wa- 
ter, furnished  by  springs,  was  rather  scanty ;  but  in  other 
respects  the  encampment  was  pleasant.  Arriving  at  it  early 
in  the  afternoon,  every  soldier  had  his  horse  well  attended 
to,  and  his  supper  before  sunset ;  the  evening  passed  away 
pleasantly.  The  shade  being  very  thick  over  us,  and  the  air 
remarkably  clear  and  calm,  many  messes  chose  to  spread  their 
blankets  in  the  open  air,  rather  than  put  up  their  tents  ;  the 
author  was  of  this  number;  and  spreading  down  his  blanket, 
in  company  with  a  young  soldier,  one  of  his  messmates, 
promised  himself  a  sweet  sleep.  His  comrade  reclined  upon 
the  grass,  near  by,  with  his  clarionette,  his  constant  com- 
panion on  the  march,  and  being  quite  in  the  spirit  for  music, 
he  played  and  sung  for  an  hour  or  two  ;  and  when  all  the 
lights  were  out  in  the  valley  below,  and  on  the  hill,  and  all 
had  retired,  the  notes  of  the  clarionette  floated  gently  through 
the  quiet  air.  He  played  "The  Girl  I  left  behind  me,"  and 
following  with  "  Sweet  Home,"  at  last  wound  up  his  concert 
with  "  Oh !  no,  I  '11  never  mention  him,"  and  then,  with  a  mel- 
ancholy sigh,  he  put  up  his  clarionette,  and  laid  down  beside 

(120) 


A  "NORTHER."  121 

him ;  related  a  long  tale  of  unrequited  love,  which,  without 
doubt,  was  very  affecting ;  but  before  he  got  well  into  it,  his 
hearer  was  asleep. 

In  an  hour  or  two,  we  were  suddenly  awakened  by  a  quick, 
strong  wind,  rushing  through  the  trees  above  us.  We  sprang 
up ;  instead  of  the  clear  starlight,  the  night  was  now  dark ; 
the  black  clouds  above  were  rapidly  flying  over  us,  and  the 
strong  wind,  as  it  were,  in  an  instant,  drove  every  particle 
of  warm  air  away,  and  it  became  cold  and  chilly  so  quick, 
that  the  change  of  feeling  occasioned,  could  only  be  com- 
pared to  a  sudden  immersion  in  cold  water.  A  Texas 
"  Norther"  was  down  upon  us ;  which  we  had  often  heard  of, 
but  never  before  had  experienced.  It  grew  colder,  and  heavy 
rain  descended,  and  every  one  out  was  wet  in  a  moment.  It 
was  too  late  to  get  the  tent  then.  So  immediately  we  threw 
our  saddlebags  against  the  trunk  of  the  tree  ;  our  saddles 
on  top,  and  sat  down  on  them  together,  with  our  backs 
against  the  tree,  and  our  two  blankets  doubled  over  our 
heads,  and  around  us  ;  but  we  could  not  keep  warm;  we 
shivered  and  shook  in  the  cold  wind  and  rain,  which  beat,  in 
the  darkness,  on  us  ;  and  so  we  passed  the  time  till  daylight, 
about  four  hours,  which  appeared,  to  us,  to  be  twenty.  We 
were  obliged  to  sit  all  the  time  in  one  position  ;  and  we 
made  many  resolutions,  to  the  effect  that  we,  in  future,  each 
night,  would  put  up  our  tents,  rain  or  shine.  This  "  norther  " 
did  not  last  long,  being  over  by  sunrise,  and  the  air  soon 
grew  warm  again. 

September  25th.  Our  tin-cups  full  of  coffee,  hot  as  we  could 
drink,  with  a  fine  piece  of  fat  pork  and  a  hard  piece  of 
pilot  bread,  as  usual,  was  our  breakfast ;  and  much  it  re- 
vived us,  after  our  uncomfortable  night ;  and  we  soon  felt 
as  well  as  though  we  had  slept  soundly.  Our  company  be- 
ing last  in  line  of  march  this  day,  we  were  not  hurried  in 
starting;  but  packed  our  tents  and  saddled  up  at  our  leisure, 
while  company  after  company  passed  along  by  us ;  and 
when  the  ninth  had  filed  by,  we  took  the  road  in  rear  ;  then 
as  advantageous  as  any  part,  for  the  march  was  short,  no 
dust,  and  plenty  of  water. — The  same  rolling  prairie,  with 


122  MANNER  OF  «  STAMPEDE." 

the  same  black  soil,  continued.  The  swells  of  land  were 
not  so  high  as  before,  and  consequently  the  changing  views 
not  quite  so  extensive,  though  full  enough  so  for  beauty  and 

variety. 

At  noon,  we  arrived  at  the  next  encampment,  on  a  pretty 
stream  of  clear  water,  one  mile  east  of  the  town  of  La 
Grange,  on  the  Colorado.  The  encampment  was  on  both 
sides  of  the  stream,  occupying  much  space,  and  was  conve- 
nient. Many  of  the  citizens  of  the  town  came  out  to  visit 

us. We  were  much  interested  in  the  conversation  of  one,  in 

particular,  giving  to  a  dozen  of  us,  laid  round  in  .the  grass, 
a  history  of  his  frontier  life  in  this  country,  for  the  last  four- 
teen years ; — of  his  part  in  the  battles  with  the  Mexicans  at 
San  Antonio,  San  Jacinto  and  Lost  Prairie  ; — his  escape  from 
the  bloody  butchery  of  Fannin's  command,  to  which  he  had 
belonged ; — his  pursuits  of,  and  fights  with  the  Comanche  In- 
dians ; — his  description  of  them,  their  appearance,  horse- 
manship, customs,  and  of  the  character  of  their  country,  but 
a  few  days'  travel  to  the  north  and  north-west  from  here; — 
of  their  sudden  inroads  upon  the  settlements,  &c.,  &c.  The 
old  soldier  and  hunter,  for  he  was  both,  kept  groups  inter- 
ested in  his  relations  until  near  night.  He  informed  us  of  the 
manner  in  which  the  Indians  make  a  "  stampede  "  to  steal 
horses,  and  cautioned  us  to  look  out  at  night,  now,  as  we 
were  soon  to  pass  the  frontier. 

He  stated  that  the  Indians  would  hang  on  the  distant 
verge  of  the  horizon,  unperceived  by  the  eyes  of  an  unpracticed 
person,  watching  the  movements  of  the  body. — That  late  at 
night,  when  all  was  still,  they  approach  the  camp,  well  moun- 
ted, and  with  two  or  three  trained  horses  loose.  To  these,  they 
attach  several  dry  hides,  which  rattle ;  and  bells,  and  jing- 
ling pieces  of  metal,  and  suddenly  start  them  off  at  full  speed 
with  loud  yells,  directly  into  the  camp :  the  coming  horses, 
thus  accoutred,  their  noise  and  the  yells  of  the  Indians,  so 
frighten  any  other  horses,  unaccustomed  to  it,  that  no  com- 
mon rope  can  hold  them ;  but  breaking  and  tearing  every 
thing  loose,  they  rush  over  men  and  tents,  and  following  the 
trained  horses,  fly  in  a  body  out  in  the  prairie,  on  the  oppo- 


LA   GRANGE.  123 

site  direction  from  that,  from  whence  the  alarm  originated. 
On  this  side,  too,  are  mounted  Indians,  who  receive  and  in- 
stantly drive  off  the  herd.  Pursuit  is  useless. — He  recom- 
mended to  us  to  be  watchful  in  the  prairie  wilderness  ;  to 
have  our  guns  loaded  at  night,  and  our  horses  near  us,  and 
upon  any  such  alarm,  quickly  to  kill  the  coming  horse,  before 
he  got  into  the  camp,  &c.  These  Comanches  were,  a  few 
years  back,  very  troublesome,  but  now  have  retreated  further 
from  the  settlements.  A  small  band  of  Lipans  and  Tonka- 
ways  still  hunt  in  this  section  of  country,  and  have  encamped 
near  La  Grange  during  several  winters.  These,  as  well  as 
the  Comanches,  are  mostly  armed  with  strong  bows  and  ar- 
rows ;  having,  however,  some  rifles,  shot  guns  and  lances. 

Saturday,  September  2Qth.  The  regiment  were  on  the  line 
of  march  early  in  the  morning,  and  proceeded  on  to  the  town 
of  La  Grange.  The  advance  did  not  stop  in  town,  but  pro- 
ceeded on  to  the  ferry,  on  the  Colorado,  three-fourths  of  a 
mile  down  the  stream,  and  immediately  commenced  crossing. 
The  whole  day  was  occupied  in  the  passage  of  the  regiment 
and  wagon  train.  Four  of  us,  of  company  G,  being  detailed, 
that  day,  as  a  guard,  we  did  not  go  to  the  ferry  till  even- 
ing, but  spent  the  day  in  town.  This  is  the  county-seat 
of  Fayette  county,  which  lies  on  both  sides  of  the  Colorado. 
The  town  is  well  laid  out ;  its  buildings  are  neat,  and  a 
general  air  of  prosperity  pervades  the  place.  Population 
five  hundred.  A  steamboat  has  been  built  upon  the  river, 
which  plies  up  and  down,  though  the  navigation  is  obstruct- 
ed completely  near  its  mouth,  by  a  raft  of  drift  timber,  some 
miles  in  length ;  though  it  is  said,  that  the  raft  can  easily  be 
removed.  At  present  the  trade  of  La  Grange  is  done  at  Hous- 
ton, one  hundred  miles  to  the  south-east.  At  the  ferry,  the 
river  appeared  to  be  deep,  and  had  a  strong  current.  After 
the  regiment  had  crossed,  we  followed  on,  and,  on  the  other 
side,  rising  a  long  hill,  we  found  the  encampment  in 
a  grove  of  timber — a  good  situation,  but  too  extended,  the 
camp  occupying,  perhaps,  two  hundred  acres.  It  was  nearly 
dark  when  we  came  up,  and  the  whole  were  occupied  with 
getting  their  suppers.  Many  bright  fires,  gleamed  in  rows 


124  FINE  NATURAL  SCENERY. 

on  the  hills,  and  cast  an  indistinct,  wavering  light  far  around. 
Fine  grass,  tall  as  wheat,  and  thick  and  green,  was  over  the 
/Whole  ground ;  it  served  our  horses  well,  with  the  corn  they 
had  got.  We  took  care  to  pitch  our  tents,  and  slept  undis- 
turbed. The  wind  blew  a  gentle  breeze  from  the  north, 
during  the  night,  and  it  was  quite  cool. 

Sunday,  September  27th.  The  regiment,  upon  leaving  the 
woodland,  this  morning  came  out  again  on  the  rolling  prairie ; 
and  a  succession  of  beautiful  views,  such  as  have  been  before 
mentioned,  followed  each  other  for  the  whole  distance  of  the 
march.  The  wide  extent  of  tall  thick  grass,  spread  over  the 
hills  and  valleys,  apparently  untrodden  by  any  living  being, 
to  leave  a  step  behind.  It  waved  in  the  wind,  and  presented 
a  continual  appearance  of  progressing  undulations,  as  the 
breeze  passed  over,  and  gently  swept  up  the  hills. — These 
hills  were  of  larger  base  than  before,  but  not  so  high  as  those 
between  the  Brazos  and  Colorado  rivers ;  the  valleys,  too, 
were  more  extensive,  with  continual,  long,  gentle  slopes  ; 
some  of  them  contained  from  one  to  two  thousand  acres, 
every  foot  of  which  was  open  to  the  view  from  the  same 
spot.  The  soil  was  the  same  ;  black  and  fertile,  mixed  with 
shells.  When  in  the  valley,  if  you  looked  around,  you  saw 
the  long  green  slopes,  on  either  hand,  with  romantic  groves 
of  live  oak  trees,  without  any  smaller  growth,  here  and  there 
for  miles  along  the  valley. — If  you  observed  the  scene  from  the 
tops  of  the  swells,  the  eye  was  fatigued  with  the  rich  succes- 
sion of  vale  and  hill,  of  every  gently  rounded  form  ; — of  groves 
and  open  sunny  slopes.  The  moving  column  of  the  regiment 
with  the  head  rising  over  the  hill,  the  middle  winding  through 
the  vale,  and  the  rear  on  the  hill  again,  with  the  wagons, 
one  by  one,  closely  following  in  a  long  line  behind,  gave  an 
appearance  of  life  and  animation  to  the  scene. — These  last, 
showed  a  pleasing  contrast  of  white  covers,  in  the  distance 
against  the  green  of  the  prairie. — Not  a  house  or  plantation 
broke  the  succession  of  wild  luxuriant  vegetation. 

This  whole  lovely  country,  so  fertile,  pleasant  and  salubri- 
ous, is  almost  entirely  uninhabited. — The  advance  started 
up  from  the  road  a  large  herd  of  deer,  which  had  been 


SINGULAR  WATER  HOLES.  125 

quietly  grazing  there  ;  permission  was  given,  for  a  few  mo- 
ments, for  any  one  who  wished  to  chase  them,  to  do  so  ;  and 
whole  companies  broke  out  of  the  lines  at  once  ; — the  remain- 
der halted. — It  was  exciting,  to  see  so  many,  scattered  from 
each  other,  going  at  full  speed,  in  all  directions,  after  the 
dispersed  herd  ; — over  the  hills  and  through  the  valleys,  wind- 
ing and  turning,  and  yet  all  in  fall  view,  nothing  intervening 
to  obstruct  the  vision.  The  deer  at  last,  ran  far  away  to  the 
north,  and  the  little  dots  of  pursuing  horsemen,  growing  less 
and  less  in  the  distance,  could  be  seen,  until  finally,  they  were 
lost  to  the  view. — Those  nearest  came  back  to  the  lines,  at 
full  speed,  and  the  word  was  given  to  move  forward.  The 
others  came  up  from  time  to  time  along  in  the  day,  each  one 
with  a  deer,  or  part  of  one.  In  chasing  that  herd,  they  had 
started  up  several  more,  and  all  found  sport  enough. 

In  the  valleys,  we  now  came  to  many  singular  water  holes ; 
some  of  them  fifty  yards  long,  and  perhaps  thirty  wide ;  the 
water  was  near  the  surface,  and  the  long  grass,  and  wild 
flowers  bent  over  to  it.  From  a  little  distance  it  looked  shal- 
low ;  but  none  of  these  holes  were  less  than  ten  feet  deep, 
and  the  most  about  twenty  ;  the  sides  were  perfectly  perpen- 
dicular for  the  whole  depth ;  the  water  was  clear  as  crystal, 
so  that  every  fish  in  them,  of  which  there  were  thousands,  and 
every  pebble  on  their  bottoms,  could  be  seen.  Some  of  these 
holes  were  small,  not  more  than  eight  or  ten  yards  by  four  or 
five,  but  all  equally  clear  and  deep. — One  of  the  men  dismoun- 
ted, at  one  of  these,  where  the  train  halted  to  water,  and  his 
horse  poked  his  nose  through  the  bending  rushes,  to  drink ;  the 
edge  of  earth  broke  away,  and  he  went  head  foremost  to  the 
bottom,  about  fifteen  feet,  with  all  his  accoutrements ;  much  to 
the  annoyance  of  his  rider,  and  the  sport  of  the  rest. — We 
passed  a  solitary  grave,  carefully  paled  in,  under  the  spreading 
foliage  of  an  ancient  live  oak,  on  the  prairie,  about  one-quarter 
of  a  mile  from  the  road ;  some  of  us  rode  out  to  it,  but 
there  was  no  name  upon  it.  We  supposed  that  it  was  the 
grave  of  a  man  who  fell  in  a  skirmish  with  the  Comanches, 
which  had  been  fought  near  this  place.  At  1  P.  M.  we  saw 
the  first  house,  for  the  day,  and  soon  encamped  near  it,  on  a 


126  REPORT  OF  SICKNESS  AHEAD. 

rise  of  timbered  land,  overlooking  a  beautiful  meadow,  in 
which  were  several  of  the  deep  holes  of  water  described. 
Beyond  the  meadow  the  prairie  again  was  spread  out. 

Monday,  September  28th.  This  morning  was  very  cool. — 
We  inarched  eighteen  miles,  over  the  same  fine  section  of 
country,  and  encamped  at  the  next  house  on  the  road,  at, 
also,  another  of  these  water  holes.  We  saw  plenty  of  deer, 
and  some  were  killed. 

Tuesday,  September  29th.  We  continued  our  course  toward 
Lavacca  bay,  the  next  depot  of  provisions.  On  this  route, 
our  course  was  from  La  Grange  about  S.  S.  W.,  and  we  were 
rapidly  nearing  the  sea-coast,  and  the  land,  as  we  proceeded, 
became  gradually  more  level ;  the  soil  continued  excellent. 
At  noon  we  crossed  the  Lavacca  river,  in  the  county  of  the 
same  name.  It  was  now  nearly  dry,  save  deep  basins  along 
its  bed ;  this  wide,  sandy  bed  of  the  river  shows  that  it  is 
sometimes  quite  a  large  stream.  One  habitation  was  here  ; 
the  only  one  we  had  seen  this  day.  We  marched  sixteen 
miles  and  encamped  on  a  clear  deep  stream. 

Areport  having  reached  camp  that  Lavacca  was  very  sickly, 
and  that  there  were  but  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  of  the 
Kentucky  regiment  of  cavalry  there  fit  for  duty,  all  the  rest  be- 
ing sick,  Colonel  Thomas  called  a  council  of  officers,  who 
solemnly  deliberated  on  the  propriety  of  encamping  fifty-five 
miles  this  side,  and  hauling  the  supplies  from  Lavacca,  by 
the  train.  The  whole  of  this  council,  and  the  cause  that 
led  to  it,  was  a  ridiculous  farce.  One  of  the  members  of  the 
regiment,  traveling  ahead  with  the  forage-master,  heard  this 
loose  report,  and  immediately  wrote  to  the  colonel ;  and  he 
as  soon  gave  his  testimony  towards  its  belief,  by  calling  this 
council  to  adopt  measures  concerning  it.  If  the  colonel  had 
acted  with  but  half  of  his  usual  judgment  and  good  sense, 
he  would  have  put  the  letter  in  his  pocket  and  continued  the 
march :  and  then,  when  arriving  near,  if  there  had  been  an 
epidemic  or  sickness  raging,  he  could  have  known  and  acted 
upon  it  definitely  ;— but  as  it  was,  on  this  most  improbable 
tale,  wholly,  as  it  afterward  appeared,  without  foundation, 
the  regiment,  and  especially  those  companies  from  the  moun- 


MEXICAN   GOURDS.  127 

tains,  having  a  dread  of  the  sea-coast,  were  thrown  into 
considerable  anxiety.  The  council,  having  nothing  definite 
upon  which  to  act,  dispersed,  and  the  colonel  determined  to 
go  ahead  by  himself.  He  did  so,  and  found  the  whole  a 
false  report. 

Wednesday,  September  30th.  This  was  a  fine  cool  morning. 
We  were  on  the  march  at  an  early  hour.  Captain  Porter, 
being  sick,  rode  in  one  of  the  wagons.  None  of  our  lieu-, 
tenants  being  present,  and  the  orderly  sergeant  sick,  the 
company  marched  to-day  under  the  command  of  the  second 
sergeant.  The  country  passed  over  was  fertile,  as  before 
but  continually  becoming  more  level,  and  consequently  hav- 
ing but  little  variety  in  scenery. — The  sun  became  hot,  and 
water  being  scarce  on  the  route,  our  Mexican  gourds  came 
in  good  use.  These  gourds  were  much  preferable  to  can- 
teens, for  carrying  water  on  the  march ;  for  water,  in  these 
would  remain  cool  through  the  day  of  the  hottest  sun  ;  while 
in  the  tin  canteen,  it  became  warm  and  unpleasant  to  the 
taste.  This  coolness  of  the  gourd,  is  owing  to  the  continual 
evaporation  going  on  through  the  shell.  They  are  conveni- 
ent in  shape  and  size,  being  mostly  in  the  shape  of  the  fig- 
ure 8,  and  holding  from  one  to  two  quarts.  Round  the  small 
part  of  the  gourd  the  strap  is  fastened,  for  suspending  it  to 
the  side  or  the  pommel  of  the  saddle.  Every  traveler  in  this 
portion  of  Texas,  that  we  met,  had  one.  Most  of  our  men 
had  thrown  away  their  canteens,  and  obtained  one  of  these 
gourds.  (Some  of  the  regiments  in  the  service  were  fur- 
nished with  India  rubber  bags,  or  canteens,  to  carry  water; 
but  they  are  liable  to  the  same  objections  as  the  tin  ones,  the 
water  in  them  becoming  warm.) 

At  two,  P.  M.,  we  arrived  at  the  encampment,  on  a  pretty 
brook  of  clear  water ;  the  lofty  trees  on  its  banks  were  cov- 
ered with  grape-vines,  and  the  rays  of  the  sun  could  not 
penetrate  beneath, — neither,  at  night,  could  the  dew  fall  be- 
low.—  We  let  our  tents  remain  in  the  wagon,  and  took  our 
resting-places  beneath  this  natural  arbor  ;  and  as  the  night 
became  cool,  we  built  large  fires,  around  which  we  slept. 
We  had  no  sentinel,  having  been  relieved  from  that  service 


128  CHASE  ON  THE  PRAIRIE. 

since  we  left  Washington,  in  Arkansas — there  being  no  ne- 
cessity, as  yet,  for  them;  and  Colonel  Thomas,  with  a  praise- 
worthy attention  to  the  comfort  and  health  of  his  men,  wish- 
ing to  lighten,  as  much  as  possible,  their  duties  and  service. 

Thursday,  October  1st.  Leaving  camp  early,  we  passed  on 
over  a  country  fertile,  but  of  a  more  sandy  nature  than  be- 
fore ;  soil  still  black,  and  covered  with  tall  grass  ; — no  fields 
or  houses  along — all  uncultivated.  Extended  spaces  of  prai- 
rie, were  covered  with  a  species  of  dwarf  sunflower,  about 
four  feet  high,  giving  them  a  bright  yellow  color.  Deer  were 
more  numerous  than  before,  and  another  general  chase,  like 
that  described  a  few  days  previous,  took  place  in  the  fore- 
noon. It  was  a  wild  scene  ;  so  many  horsemen  at  full  speed, 
in  all  directions,  after  the  frightened  deer ;  many  near,  and 
many  far  away.  It  required  but  a  small  stretch  of  thought 
to  imagine  them  a  tribe  of  wild  Indians  in  foil  chase  on  the 
prairie.  They  were  very  successful  in  running  down  and 
killing  the  deer.  The  horses  seemed  to  enjoy  the  -sport,  in 
the  cool  morning  air,  as  much  as  the  men ;  snorting  and 
champing  their  bits,  when  held  up,  eager  to  be  off  with  the 
others.  Some  of  the  men,  carried  away  \vith  the  sport,  got 
so  far  from  the  regiment,  that  they  did  not  come  up  until 
long  after  we  had  encamped  for  the  night. 

At  one,  P.  M.,  the  advance  crossed  the  road  leading  from 
Matagorda,  on  the  south-east,  to  San  Antonio,  on  the  north- 
west ;  and  at  two,  reached  the  encampment,  on  a  pretty  little 
brook,  near  to  a  plantation  called  North's,  in  the  county  of 
De  Witt,  one  mile  east  of  the  Gaudaloupe  river ;  where  was 
fine  grass,  and  plenty  of  corn  and  fodder  for  our  horses,  and 
good  beef  for  ourselves.  The  cattle,  in  this  section  of  coun- 
try, for  size  and  beauty,  cannot  be  excelled  in  the  United 
States  ;  and,  in  fact,  from  here  on,  during  the  campaign,  we 
saw  no  more  of  the  small,  scrubby  stock  found  in  the  south-' 
era  states,  in  Arkansas,  and  the  north-eastern  part  of  Texas. 

In  the  evening,  we  were  agreeably  surprised  by  the  sud- 
den appearance  of  a  member  of  our  company,  whom  we 
had  left  at  Memphis.  We  had  given  up  the  idea  of  ever 
seeing  him  again  in  the  campaign.  He  had  come  by  water, 


LANDS   ON  THE  GUADALOUPE.  129 

via  New  Orleans  and  Lavacca,  and  had  left  that  place  the 
day  before,  on  hearing  of  our  approach. — He  informed  us 
that  the  reports  we  had  heard,  of  the  extraordinary  sickness 
of  the  Kentucky  cavalry  there,  were  all  false. — He  also 
informed  us  that  another  member  of  our  company  was 
there,  with  letters  for  the  most  of  us,  directly  from  home. 
This  was  in  reality  good  news,  for  every  one  was  most  anx- 
ious to  hear  from  Tennessee.  We  became  impatient  to  go 
on,  but  two  days  elapsed  before  the  order  so  to  do  came 
back  from  Colonel  Thomas,  then  at  Victoria,  thirty-five  miles 
ahead. 

This  intervening  time  we  employed  about  camp,  in  obtain- 
ing information  with  regard  to  the  country  around. — The 
lands  here  were  almost  level ;  plenty  of  timber  on  the 
branches  and  in  the  bottom  of  Guadaloupe  (pron.  War-loop) 
river.  There  is  no  water  power,  however,  save  that  given 
by  the  rapid  current  of  that  river,  which  is  said  to  be  of 
force  fully  sufficient  to  drive  floating  mills,  for  sawing  and 
grinding.  Flat  boats  have  descended  this  river  from  Gon- 
zales,  sixty  miles  above  this  place,  or  ninety-five  above  Vic- 
toria. 

We  fell  in  with  an  intelligent  old  man,  who  came  down  to 
the  camp  to  visit  us,  who  had  resided  about  here  for  eighteen 
years,  and  was  originally  from  St.  Louis,  in  Missouri.  He 
informed  us  that  the  lands  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  river 
continued  level  and  fertile  to  the  coast,  about  sixty  miles ; 
but  the  timber  in  that  direction,  (south),  became  very  scarce; 
neither  was  there  a  sufficient  supply  of  water  in  that  sec- 
tion ;  to  the  north,  along  the  Guadaloupe,  the  lands  became 
rolling  and  high,  with  excellent  soil ;  similar  in  all  respects 
to  the  rolling  prairies  through  which  we  had  passed,  having 
also  upon  them  a  sufficient  quantity  of  good  timber. — The 
climate,  he  stated,  from  his  own  experience  and  that  of  other 
settlers,  to  be  healthy,  quite  so ;  he  having  had,  in  a  large 
family,  for  that  long  space  of  eighteen  years,  only  one  case 
of  sickness  ; — said  the  soil  was  first  rate  for  cotton,  and  as 
good  for  corn — sugar-cane  growing  luxuriantly  ;  sweet  pota 
9 


130  DAVID  CROCKETT'S   RIFLE,  "BETSY." 

toes  also  growing  to  a  very  large  size ;  (but  that  is  the  case 
in  all  sections  of  Texas). 

For  stock  farms,  he  said,  the  country  could  not  be  excel- 
led ;  cattle,  horses,  sheep  and  hogs  were  fat  the  whole  year, 
with  little  or  no  feeding,  save  the  grass  of  the  prairie. — 
Those  of  the  settlers  who  raise  cotton,  ship  it  to  New  Or- 
leans, from  Lavacca ;  and  they  get  their  "  returns"  in  three 
or  four  weeks.  The  principal  inconvenience  is  the  distance 
of  hauling,  being  from  fifty  to  seventy  miles ;  but  as  the 
roads  are  level  and  hard,  with  no  stone,  this  is  but  little 
trouble,  save  in  the  middle  of  winter ;  when,  for  the  last 
twenty  miles,  the  large  prairies  towards  the  coast  are  almost 
impassable ;  indeed  quite  so  for  a  loaded  team,  on  account 
of  the  deep  mud  and  softness  of  the  soil,  when  long  wet. — 
He  related  many  anecdotes  of  the  passage  of  the  Mexican 
army  through  this  section,  and  among  other  things,  said  that 
David  Crockett's  identical  old  rifle,  "  Betsy,"  was  at  a  house 
in  the  neighborhood  ; — that  a  few  days  previous  to  the  storm- 
ing of  the  Alamo,  and  Crockett's  death,  he  had  lent  it  to  the 
"  Bee  Hunter,"  who  volunteered  to  carry  an  express  from 
Colonel  Travis,  the  commander,  to  the  commanders  of  the 
other  Texan  forces ;  and  thus  it  was  preserved  when  its 
owner  fell. 

Saturday,  October  3d.  This  morning  we  were  ordered  to 
saddle  up  and  move  towards  Victoria.  This  order  we  exe- 
cuted quickly.  A  dense  fog  lay  over  the  surface  of  the  prai- 
rie, which  so  remained  until  about  nine  o'clock,  when  it  lifted 
and  cleared  up.  Shortly  after  the  sea  breeze  arose,  and  the 
march  of  the  day  was  very  pleasant.  This  sea  breeze,  we 
were  informed,  blows  here  every  day,  and  sometimes  it  ex- 
tends much  farther  to  the  north  ;  but  this  was  the  first  time 
we  had  felt  it ; — it  was  invigorating  to  all. 

At  eleven  o'clock,  at  the  request  of  Captain  Porter'  a 
couple  of  us  turned  off  with  him,  to  a  house  on  the  bank 
of  the  river,  to  the  right  as  we  passed  down.  The  captain 
was  unwell,  and  wished  the  comfort  of  a  bed,  which  there 
he  quickly  procured,  and  falling  asleep,  did  not  awake  until 
late  in  the  afternoon.  This  day  passed  very  agreeably. 


ROUGH   HOUSE.  131 

This  house  at  which  we  had  stopped,  was  on  the  high 
bank  of  the  Guadaloupe,  some  sixty  feet  or  more  above  its 
waters.  These  flowed  on  below  deep,  clear,  with  a  remark- 
able color  of  sky  blue,  \vhich  is  noticed  by  every  one,  the 
first  time  that  this  river  is  seen.  The  bank  was  firm  and 
rolling,  covered  with  grass  to  the  water's  edge.  On  the  opposite 
bank  was  a  large  growth  of  timber.  In  front  of  the  houses, 
outside  the  strip  of  lofty  live  oaks,  under  which  they  were 
built,  the  prairie  covered  with  long  waving  grass  spread  out 
level  as  the  sea ;  with  here  and  there,  at  greater  or  less  dis- 
tance, small  clumps  of  oaks,  of  an  acre  or  less,  each  widely 
separated  from  the  others.  They  appeared  like  islands  in 
the  calm  ocean. — It  indeed  was  a  beautiful  spot  for  a  residence. 
The  house,  however,  was  very  rough ;  large  forks,  planted  in 
the  ground,  were  its  corner  posts.  These  supported  other 
round  timbers,  that  served  as  plates ;  the  roof  rested  on  these ; 
the  sides  were  of  pickets,  planted  in  the  ground,  and  nailed 
above  to  the  plate  ; — the  large  cracks  had  loose  boards  nailed 
over  them, — there  were  no  windows,  but  the  whole  of  the  in- 
side was  lighted  by  the  doors. — The  chimneys,  at  each  end, 
were  of  the  roughest  sort  of  sticks  daubed  up  with  clay. 
There  were  no  floors  in  the  house,  save  the  earth,  which  had 
been  raised  a  little  above  that  on  the  outside,  and  beaten 
with  continued  footsteps  smooth.  The  doors,  swung  on 
wooden  hinges,  were  of  rude  boards  nailed  together. — But  in 
this  habitation  were  a  gentleman  and  lady,  whose  manners 
and  polished  appearance,  fitted  them  to  move  in  any  society. 
— Neatly  and  fashionably  dressed, — polite  and  easy  in  their 
bearing,  they  appeared  the  very  reverse  from  those  we  ex- 
pected to  see  when  we  rode  up.  Their  children  were 
like  them. — Their  large,  rude  shell  of  a  house,  was  filled 
with  the  finest  furniture,  tastefully  arranged,  but  showing 
with  it  the  most  singular  contrast.  Rich  curtains  were 
so  disposed  as  to  hide  the  rough  walls  on  the  back, — while 
large  pier-glasses  reflected  the  objects  before  them. — A  full 
and  select  family  library  was  ranged  in  order,  in  one  of  the 
rooms,  on  shelves  above. — The  beds  were  hung  with  curtains 
white  and  neat ; — every  thing  of  the  household  was  connected 


132  PRICE'S  CREEK. 

order  and  regularity.  The  negro  sen-ants  were  cleanly,  and 
respectful  in  their  demeanor.  The  houses  of  these  were 
built  in  the  same  rude  way  as  the  mansion  of  their  master; 
and  all  the  other  buildings  around  were  in  the  same  style. 

The  owner  of  this  place  was  a  planter  from  Mississippi- 
had  been  here  a  year.  We  asked  him  no  questions,  with  re- 
gard to  his  rough  house,  but  supposed  that  on  account  of  the 
difficulty,  as  yet,  of  obtaining  here  suitable  lumber  to  build 
good  ones,  he  chose  to  make  the  old  shanty  answer  for  a 
time  ;  for  with  all  its  rudeness,  it  had  two  good  qualities,  or 
rather  three  ;  it  was  roomy,  it  was  strong,  and  it  was  tight 
and  secure  against  the  rain. 

— When  the  sun  was  low,  we  mounted  our  horses  and  pro- 
ceeded on  to  camp,  eight  miles,  on  Price's  creek.  The  march 
to-day,  had  been  twenty  miles.  At  night  several  of  those 
who  had  been  left  at  Little  Rock,  Washington,  and  other 
places,  sick,  now  came  up,  recovered;  many  others,  how- 
ever, are  yet  behind. 

Sunday,  October  4th.  We  left  camp  at  the  usual  hour.  It 
again  comingtothe  author's  turn  to  serve  on  wagon  guard,  he 
rode  with  that  for  the  day.  We  were  so  delayed  in  getting 
the  tents,  mess-bags,  &c.,  stowed  into  the  wagon,  that  all 
the  companies  had  filed  out  on  the  road  and  proceeded  on  ; 
and  the  bugles  were  almost  out  of  hearing,  before  we  could 
start.  Every  wagon  in  the  train  was  off,  and  it  seemed  as 
though  nothing  would  work  right  with  us;  and  when,  at  last, 
we  did  get  off,  we  were  forced  to  halt  again  to  adjust  and  fix 
up  the  harness  of  the  mules.  We  passed  on  through  a  skirt 
of  timber,  and  came  to  the  edge  of  the  prairie,  now  extend- 
ing to  the  southward  and  eastward,  a  perfect  level,  without 
a  tree  in  that  direction  to  relieve  the  eye.  Stretched  out  on 
it,  in  a  long  serpentine  line  ahead,  were  the  different  compa- 
nies of  the  regiment,  small  in  the  distance,  with  the  train  in 
the  rear.  As  our  company's  wagon  had  six  mules  to  it,  while 
the  most  had  but  four,  we  were  enabled  to  push  ahead  fas- 
ter ;  and  in  an  hour  or  two  we  came  up  with  the  rear  wagon. 
We  now  skirted  along  near  the  bank  of  the  Guadaloupe,  on 
the  right. 


"HOG-WALLOW"  PRAIRIE.  133 

Over  that  river  rose  a  range  of  hills,  wooded  to  the  tops. 
These  must  be  pleasant  situations  for  residences ;  but,  as 
yet,  they  are  unsettled.  The  view  from  them  is  unimpeded 
to  the  east  and  south,  for  fifteen  or  twenty  miles.  We  saw 
one  "  settler,"  however,  along  here, — a  large  black  bear ; — 
he  lifted  up  his  head,  and  for  a  moment  looked  at  the  troops. 
Several  gave  chase,  and  bruin  "  put  out "  into  the  river  bot- 
tom and  escaped  them. 

The  prairie  over  which  we  passed,  to-day,  is  of  the  kind 
called  "  hog-wallow."  It  has  a  wavy  surface,  like  a  lake 
after  a  strong  wind.  These  waves  or  ridges  are  rounding, 
about  a  foot  in  height,  and  ten  or  twelve  broad,  with  a  sink 
as  wide  between  them ; — each  wave  is  parallel  to  the  next, 
or  nearly  so,  though  all  are  curving  and  somewhat  serpentine 
in  their  course,  and  occasionally  broken  entirely.  The  un- 
dulations succeed  to  each  other  for  hundreds  and  thousands, 
and  even,  in  some  places,  for  tens  of  thousands  of  acres 
together.  We  had  never  heard  this  form  of  surface  satis- 
factorily accounted  for.  The  old  Mexican  inhabitants  of  this 
country  have  a  tradition  handed  down,  which  they  say  is 
true ;  that  is,  that  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  since 
there  was  a  long  drought,  of  several  years'  continuance,  and 
that  the  prairies  of  this  black  soil  parched,  cracked  or 
opened  in  gullies,  a  foot  or  two  wide,  and  ten  or  twelve 
deep  ; — that  on  the  coming  of  rain  again,  they  gradually  filled 
up,  but  not  entirely — showing  the  trace  of  the  old  chasms, 
which  now  are  the  intervals  between  the  ridges.  In  corrob- 
oration  of  this,  they  say,  that  now,  even  in  a  common  dry 
spell,  that  this  kind  of  ground  will  crack  to  some  depth. — 
Their  account  is  given  for  as  much  as  it  is  worth.  One 
thing  is  certain  :  the  "  hog-wallow "  prairies  are  all  of  this 
loose,  black  soil,  and  whenever  that  course  of  soil  is  inter- 
rupted, the  "  hog-wallow  "  ceases  ; — but,  on  the  other  hand, 
we  have  passed  over  large  tracts  of  the  same  soil,  which 
was  not  broken  by  "  hog-wallows,"  though,  all  of  that  was 
on  the  high,  rolling  lands. 

— After  a  pleasant  march  of  fifteen  miles,  over  this  prai- 
rie, we  came  to  our  encampment.  This  march  was  ren- 


134  COMANCHE  DEPREDATIONS. 

dered  pleasant  by  the  sea  breeze  now  becoming  stronger,  as 
we  approach  the  gulf  of  Mexico.  The  place  of  encamp- 
ment was  on  a  clear  brook,  with  a  skirt  of  timber  along  its 
bank ;— being  four  miles  north  of  the  town  of  Victoria.— 
A  little  settlement,  of  five  families,  was  made  on  this  creek 
in  1837;  but  the  Comanche  Indians  came  down  here  sud- 
denly, and  found  them  unprepared  for  attack;  and  every  soul 
was  killed. 

The  Indians  encamped  on  this  ground,  and  the  next 
morning  proceeded  to  the  little  flourishing  town  of  Linn- 
ville,  ten  miles  to  the  south-east;  and,  making  a  sudden 
and  furious  attack,  captured  the  place — killed  the  men, 
and  carried  many  of  the  women  and  children  away  as  pris- 
oners ;  others,  they  killed  on  the  spot.  They  robbed  the 
stores  and  burnt  the  place  ; — they  threatened  Victoria,  but 
made  no  attack.  On  their  return,  they  were  met  by  a  force 
of  Texans,  and  a  severe  battle  took  place,  in  which  the  In- 
dians were  worsted,  but  made  good  their  retreat  to  their  na- 
tive mountains.  This  tribe  is  powerful  and  warlike,  number- 
ing, it  is  said,  near  thirty  thousand  warriors. 

Monday,  October  5th.  This  day's  march  was  pleasant, 
though  we  endured  some  inconvenience  for  want  of  water ; 
the  scenery  was  extensive,  but  presented  the  same  view  con- 
tinually, of  level  prairie,  as  far  as  the  vision  could  reach, 
with  no  object  to  break  the  distant  line  of  horizon  around. 
Company  G  was  on  the  march  at  an  early  hour,  being,  by 
order,  the  first  company  in  line,  to-day ;  but  early  as  we 
were,  Captain  Gillaspie's  company  had  given  us  the  slip,  by 
silently,  before  day,  taking  up  the  march,  in  order  to  obtain 
the  best  encampment :  for  the  regiment  was  to  remain  en- 
camped near  Port  Lavacca  for  several  days  ;  and  we  had  al- 
ready understood  that  there  was  but  little  shade  there. 

We  passed  through  the  town  of  Victoria  by  sunrise. — The 
sound  of  our  bugles  waked  up  the  inhabitants,  who  came  to 
the  doors  and  windows,  to  look  at  us,  in  numbers. — The  place 
had  not  a  very  flourishing  appearance.  There  were  several 
stores,  two  or  three  taverns,  court-house,  jail,  and  mechan- 
ics' shops  of  various  kinds.  It  seemed  as  though  a  little  bu- 


VICTORIA.  135 

siness  was  here  carried  on.  The  town  is  situated  near  the 
Guadaloupe  river,  which  the  inhabitants  hope  will  prove 
navigable  for  steamboats,  as  far  up  as  that  place.  There  is 
a  printing  office  here,  and  a  weekly  paper  issued.  All  the 
communication  of  the  town  with  the  sea  coast,  is  done 
through  Port  Lavacca,  which  is  situated  thirty  miles  to  the 
south-east,  on  Lavacca  bay  ;  this  distance  is  all  over  a  level 
prairie.  In  the  spring,  summer  and  fall,  it  is  an  excellent 
road — one  of  the  best  that  can  be  imagined  ; — in  the  winter 
it  is  the  very  worst;  the  mud  renders  it  almost  impassable. 
It  is  all  of  the  "  hog-wallow  "  prairie,  and  very  little  timber 
on  its  whole  extent. — We  did  not  halt  in  the  town,  but 
changing  our  course  to  the  south-east,  moved  towards  La- 
vacca. 

About  nine  o'clock,  it  became  exceedingly  hot  on  the  prai- 
rie, but  at  ten  the  sea  breeze  rose,  and  gradually  in- 
creased till  towards  evening ;  rendering  the  traveling  pleas- 
ant, though  the  continual  passing  over  the  ridges  of  the  "  hog- 
wallow  " — up  and  down,  up  and  down — was  not,  in  itself, 
agreeable. 

The  want  of  water  being  severely  felt  by  many,  a  sergeant, 
with  one  or  two  men,  was  dispatched  towards  a  skirt  of  tim- 
ber that  appeared  to  our  left,  to  find  some,  if  possible  ;  they 
returned  and  reported  that  water  had  been  there,  but  that 
there  was  none  now.  Shortly  afterward,  we  met  a  long 
train  of  new  wagons,  all  alike,  and  each  drawn  by  three 
yoke  of  oxen,  proceeding  to  San  Antonio  with  government 
stores,  for  the  use  of  the  troops  there.  These  were  in  view 
for  several  miles,  before  we  met  them,  and  on  coming  up, 
many  of  the  men  procured  from  the  teamsters  a  drink  of 
water  from  their  large  Mexican  gourds  ;  we  were  told  that 
four  miles  further,  there  was  plenty  of  it. 

These  four  miles  we  passed  over  quickly,  and  came  to 
Placedor's  creek,  a  pretty  brook,  that  wound  along  in  a  ra- 
vine in  the  prairie  ;  its  bank  covered  with  tall  live  oaks,  hung 
with  Spanish  moss  ; — several  large  springs,  too,  were  near 
the  creek  There  was  a  splendid  situation  for  a  camp,  along 
under  the  oaks  on  the  bank,  in  its  winding  course,  while  be- 


136  CAMP  PLACEDOR. 

fore,  in  the  rear,  and  on  each  side,  the  wide  prairies  spread 
out, — an  extent  of  waving  green,  across  which,  unobstructed, 
the  gulf  breeze  came,  cooling  and  refreshing. 

The  different  companies  came  in  one  after  another,  and 
took  their  places  up  and  down,  for  two  miles.  The  colonel's 
marquee  was  pitched  on  the  top  of  the  long  rise,  extending 
from  the  creek  below,  up  to  the  level  of  the  prairie. — 
Corn  and  oats  had  been  hauled  out  from  Lavacca,  twelve 
miles  to  this  camp ;  and  our  horses  having  been  well  fed, 
we  hastened  to  meet  our  comrades,  who  had  come  round  by 
water.  The  meeting  was  pleasant,  and  rendered  more  so 
by  the  delivery  of  the  number  of  letters  they  had  brought, 
by  which  so  many  were  enabled  to  hear  from  home  and 
friends. 

A  large  circle  of  men  were  seated  about,  in  the  grass,  al- 
most hid  by  it,  reading  attentively. — After  strolling  round 
over  the  prairie,  we  returned,  each  one  to  his  line  of  tents  ; 
and  busy  preparations  were  made  in  clearing  away  places 
for  these  tents  and  the  horses,  for  the  anticipated  stay  of  a 
week  or  two. — The  camp  was  called  Camp  Irwin,  but  went 
more  generally  by  the  name  of  Camp  Placedor,  from  the 
creek ; — named  after  an  old  Indian  chief,  of  the  Tonkaway 
tribe,  still  living,  and  well  known  in  this  part  of  Texas. 

Towards  evening,  we  were  surprised  to  see  a  body  of 
troops  in  the  distance,  coming  over  the  prairie  to  the  east, 
toward  us.  When  they  came  up,  we  found  that  they  were 
three  companies  of  the  Kentucky  cavalry,  who  were  just  re- 
newing the  march  for  the  Rio  Grande ;  they  encamped  with 
us  for  the  night. — The  remainder  would  follow  in  a  day  or 
two. — The  regiment  had  been  divided  on  account  of  the 
scarcity  of  water  ahead. — Their  camp,  from  which  these 
came,  was  about  ten  miles  below  this.  That  regiment  first 
encamped  here,  and  then  moved  there  to  be  nearer  Port 
Lavacca. 

—We  remained  at  this  encampment  until  the  16th  instant, 
repairing  wagons,  shoeing  horses,  and  taking  in  stores,  at 
Lavacca,  for  the  next  march  through  the  prairie  wilderness, 
and  salt  marshy  desert ;— a  distance  of  about  three  hundred 


PORT   LAVACCA.  137 

miles  to  the  Rio  Grande.  During  this  time  the  regiment 
were  in  a  continual  course,  each  day,  of  drilling  and  parad- 
ing— improving  in  the  discipline  of  soldiers,  which,  as  yet, 
we  had  had  but  little  opportunity  of  doing,  while  on  the 
march. — We  made  frequent  visits,  however,  to  the  bay,  and 
to  the  town  of  Lavacca,  to  enjoy  the  sea  air  and  salt  water 
bathing. 

— Port  Lavacca  occupies  a  position  on  the  western  side  of 
Lavacca  bay,  thirty-five  miles  from  the  pass  which  connects 
the  bay  with  the  gulf  of  Mexico.  The  land  upon  which  the 
town  is  placed  is  level,  being  the  termination  of  the  prairie, 
which  extends  uninterruptedly  far  into  the  interior.  No 
stream  of  water  runs  nearer  to  port  Lavacca  than  Placedor's 
creek,  ten  miles ;  save  a  little  dirty  brook,  which  runs  within 
four  miles,  called  Chocolate  bayou.  This  is  unfortunate  for 
the  place,  for  no  fresh  water  can  be  procured  by  digging. 
Cistern  water  is  used,  save  that  brought  from  Chocolate  ba- 
you. It  is  probable,  however,  that  at  the  distance  of  a  mile 
or  two  from  town  fresh  water  might  be  got,  by  digging. 

The  bay  here,  is  wide,  but  shallow.  No  vessel  drawing 
more  than  seven  feet,  can  come  up  to  the  place ;  and  then 
is  obliged  to  lie  about  a  third  of  a  mile  from  the  shore ; 
part  of  this  distance  is  passed  over  by  long  wooden  piers. 
The  town,  or  village  rather,  is  about  fifteen  or  twenty  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  water,  and  contains  thirty  or  forty 
houses,  some  half  dozen  stores,  and  several  large  warehouses. 
For  the  size  of  the  place,  there  is  much  business  done  here. 
Notwithstanding  its  shallow  harbor,  its  want  of  water, 
and  the  total  absence  of  timber  in  the  neighborhood,  it  must 
do  the  external  trading  of  the  counties  of  Victoria,  De  Witt, 
Lavacca,  Bexar,  Gonzales,  and  parts  of  others,  for  the  rea- 
son that,  poor  as  is  the  situation  for  a  town,  there  is,  on  this 
part  of  the  coast,  no  better  one,  nor  any  as  good.  The  fine 
lands  of  the  interior  of  western  Texas  will  be  settled,  and 
their  trade  must  concentrate  here. 

There  is  still  another  disadvantage  of  this  place,  which 
has  before  been  alluded  to  ; — that  is,  the  muddy  nature  of 
the  wide  prairie  around  it,  in  the  winter ;  of  which  thirty 


138  PORT  LAVACCA. 

miles  must  be  crossed  to  get  to  the  place  in  any  direction ; 
but  all  these  difficulties  will  be  obviated,  in  some  way  or 
other,  for  Lavacca  must  be  a  place  of  trade.  The  health  of 
the  town  itself  is  said,  by  those  who  have  lived  there,  to  be 
good ;  and,  judging  from  appearances,  one  would  think  that 
the  strong  sea  breeze,  that  blows  every  day  fresh  from  the 
gulf,  would  prevent  the  accumulation  of  any  miasma ;  but 
there  are  no  local  causes  for  that,  for  on  one  side  is  the  gulf, 
and  on  the  other  the  vast  prairie.  Decaying  timber  is  out 
of  the  question,  for  wood,  even  for  fuel,  cannot  be  procured; 
and  every  stick  of  building  timber  must  be  brought  from 
New  Orleans,  Mobile,  or  other  ports. 

The  Dutch  emigrants,  who  had  been  arriving  here  in  im- 
mense numbers,  and  departing  to  their  colony  on  the  head 
waters  of  the  Guadaloupe,  had,  many  of  them,  died ;  but  that 
was  owing  to  their  sudden  change  of  habits — from  those  of  a 
long  sea  voyage, — living  upon  salt  provisions — to  the  expo- 
sure to  the  hot  sun  of  the  prairies,  and  a  change  to  fresh 
beef,  of  which,  we  were  told,  they  ate  on  their  first  arrival,  with 
great  gluttony. — This  will  account  for  the  extensive  sickness 
among  them. 

When  we  were  at  Port  Lavacca,  it  was  a  busy  place,  for 
beside  the  arrival  and  departure  of  emigrants,  the  1st  and 
2d  regiments  of  Illinois  infantry,  under  colonels  Hardin  and 
Bissel,  had  landed  there,  together  with  a  battalion  of  regular 
infantry,  another  of  dragoons,  and  a  battery  of  artillery. — 
These  had  all  marched  from  this  place  to  San  Antonio,  where, 
joined  by  the  Arkansas  cavalry,  Col.  Yell,  the  whole,  num- 
bering about  3,000  men,  made  up  the  army  of  Gen.  Wool: 

All  the  stores  of  provision,  ammunition,  and  other  things 
necessary  for  the  support  of  such  an  army,  in  the  long  march 
over  a  perfect  wilderness  of  hundreds  of  miles,  which  they 
were  to  perform,  had  to  be  landed  and  stored  here,  and  trans- 
ported by  land  from  this  to  San  Antonio;  and  hundreds  of 
teams  were,  for  between  two  and  three  months,  all  busy  in 
making  trips  back  and  forth  between  the  two  places. 
Beside  this,  the  Kentucky  cavalry  and  our  own  regiment,  had 
been  ordered  here,  and  large  amounts  of  stores  had  been  sent 


PORT   LAVACCA.  139 

for  our  use.  The  freight  of  the  vast  amount  of  stores  re- 
quired, gave  employment  to  -many  sail  vessels  and  steam- 
boats— the  storage  and  buildings  necessary  for  these  at  La- 
vacca,  gave  employment  to  hundreds  of  laborers, — and  the 
hauling  of  these  stores  and  ammunition,  &c.,  to  San  Anto- 
nio, one  hundred  and  sixty  miles,  to  hundreds  of  teams. — 
Teams  came  here  to  haul  from  middle  and  eastern  Texas. 

All  this  going  on,  rendered  the  little  town  of  Lavacca  as 
busy  a  place  as  could  be  anywhere  found. — Steamboats 
were  puffing  in  the  bay,  arriving  and  departing ; — vessels 
were  discharging,  into  smaller  boats,  their  various  cargoes  ; 
— on  the  bluff,  before  the  village,  were  large  piles  of  wagon- 
bodies, — of  wheels,  of  bows,  of  axletrees,  &c.; — many  me- 
chanics were  engaged  in  placing  them  together,  and  these 
of  every  kind  found  plenty  of  work,  and  good  pay. — Govern- 
ment warehouses  were  crowded  with  vast  quantities  of  corn, 
oats,  flour,  bread,  &c., — ship  loads  upon  ship  loads  of  them. — 
Every  house,  every  square  foot  of  sheltered  room  in  the  place 
was  occupied  by  some  one  engaged  at  something.  The 
large  number  of  men  in  the  quartermaster's  department, 
were  not  able  to  obtain  lodging  in  the  town,  but  lived  very 
snugly  in  a  long  row  of  marquees,  with  plank  floors,  situated 
on  the  very  edge  of  the  bluff,  where  their  inmates  could  in- 
hale the  fresh  sea  breeze  just  as  it  left  the  salt  water,  which 
was  dashing  against  the  shore  beneath,  with  a  continual 
noise.  Many  gamblers  always  are  to  be  found  about  an 
army,  and  they  were  well  represented  in  number,  as  well 
as  in  black-leg  skill,  at  this  place. 

Taking  into  account  the  whole,  officers,  merchants,  sol- 
diers, teamsters,  mechanics,  draymen,  laborers,  sailors,  oys- 
termen,  citizens,  emigrants,  aud  gamblers,  in  all  their  opera- 
tions, in  such  numbers,  and  in  such  a  small  compass,  Port 
Lavacca,  at  that  time,  was  the  most  busy,  crowded  place  we 
had  seen.  It  was  interesting  to  take  a  seat  in  the  portico  of 
one  of  the  houses  on  the  street,  (for  there  is  but  one  street  in 
the  place),  facing  the  water,  and  observe  the  activity  with 
which  everything  on  the  shore,  and  the  vessels,  went  on  ; — 
to  see  the  boats  going  and  returning  from  these  vessels  with 


140  EMIGRANTS. 

sacks  of  corn,  or  barrels  of  bread,  and  landing  them,  in  large 
piles,  on  the  pier,  from  whence  they  were  taken,  by  scores  of 
laborers,  and  placed  in  larger  piles  on  the  bank ;— so  large 
were  these  already,  that  a  dozen  of  ship  loads  would  not 
make  one  ; — while  other  vessels  were  throwing  overboard 
horses  and  mules,  who  were  swimming  to  the  shore,  and  were 
conducted  to  the  horse-yard,  to  join  the  multitude  already 
there  ;  and  all  things  else  going  on  with  an  equal  degree  of 
briskness ;  for  the  description  of  which  there  is  no  more  op- 
portunity, more  space  having  been  given  to  this  little  town 
than  was  intended; — suffice  it  to  say,  that  of  all  classes  of  peo- 
ple here  collected,  the  emigrants  made  out  the  worst.  Many 
of  them,  becoming  sick  by  gorging  themselves  with  fresh  beef, 
oysters,  &c.,  were  left  by  their  companions  to  get  along  the 
best  way  they  could ;  and  that  was  badly  enough,  since  not 
a  few  perished,  like  dogs,  without  attention.  One  was 
dying,  when  we  first  went  in,  in  the  street,  in  a  wagon-body, 
where,  on  a  little  straw,  he  had  lain  for  several  days,  exposed 
to  myriads  of  green  flies,  which  covered  him  ;  and  the  living 
worms,  their  offspring,  in  countless  numbers  were  eating  and 
working  into  his  flesh,  even  while  the  life  was  in  him,  and 
the  power  of  speech  had  not  left  him.  In  feeling,  compas- 
sion, or  assistance  to  one  another,  the  citizens  informed  us 
that  the  emigrants  that  had  arrived,  were  about  alike  ; — that 
this  man,  perishing  amid  the  crowd  of  his  companions,  uncared 
for,  unassisted,  was  but  one  case  among  many,  that  were 
happening  continually. 

During  the  ten  days  that  the  regiment  remained  at  camp, 
most  of  the  men  who  had  been  left  sick  at  various  places 
along,  back  on  the  route,  came  up  ;  but  one  died  where  left, 
Marsh,  of  Lenow's  company ; — some  were  yet  behind,  who 
were  very  sick,  and  who  did  not  come  up  for  some  time  after 
this. 

In  a  regiment  as  large  as  ours,  of  course,  we  had  men  of 
all  grades  of  character  and  disposition ;  and  although  nineteen- 
twentieths,  we  had  almost  said,  ninety-nine  hundredths  of  the 
number,  were  men  of  determination  and  patriotism,  who  had 
volunteered  to  serve  their  country,  and  who  never  felt  like 


FEIGNING  SICKNESS.  141 

flinching  from  duty,  yet  there  were  some  few,  who  were  tired 
of  the  hardships  of  the  life  we  led,  from  day  to  day,  and 
who  most  earnestly  wished  to  return  home,  and  cursed  them- 
selves for  ever  leaving  their  firesides.  There  was  no 
chance  for  them,  now,  to  help  themselves. 

A  number  of  the  men,  who,  by  sickness  long  continued, 
had  become  utterly  unfit  to  perform  their  duties  as  soldiers, 
were,  at  this  camp,  discharged,  and  sent  to  New  Orleans,  on 
their  way  home.  Some  of  these  got  well,  on  their  return  ; 
some  died  during  the  passage,  or  shortly  after  they  arrived 
at  their  native  places.  Now,  when  these  sick  ones  were 
discharged,  it  was  amusing  to  see  those  others,  first  spoken 
of,  endeavoring  to  appear  sick ; — talking  low,  with  short 
coughs,  and  groans,  and  dismal  complaints  of  chronic  affec- 
tions of  the  liver,  head,  &c.;  refusing  to  eat  but  little ;  and  say- 
ing continually,  to  each  one  they  met,  "that  they  felt  so 
badly."  This  was  sport  to  the  surgeons,  who  examined  them, 
when  they  applied,  and  told  them  that  they  were  sick  truly, 
but  that  they  could  cure  them  better  in  the  camp  than  by 
sending  them  home ;  and  directed  them  to  take  a  cup  of 
cold  water,  three  times  a  day,  or  other  such  prescriptions  ; — 
which  commonly  cured  them,  for  nothing  was  heard  of  their 
sickness  afterward. 

One  of  the  men  of  another  company  than  our  own,  in 
speaking  of  this,  read,  from  a  letter  that  he  had  received,  of 

Mr. ,  who  came  to  Memphis  with  that  company,  and  was 

there  discharged  on  a  plea  of  bad  health,  but  whose  real  mo- 
tive was  to  return  and  marry  a  beautiful  girl,  who  had  en- 
gaged herself  to  him  before  his  departure ;  and  who,  while 
much  grieved  at  the  separation,  yet  was  proud  to  see  him 
come  out  at  the  call  of  his  country  ; — she  had,  with  a  full 
heart,  bade  him"  God  speed,"  and  hoped  for  his  soon  and  hon 
orable  return. — She  was  astonished  to  see  him  back  so  soon, 
and  upon  hearing  his  motive,  indignantly  refused  to  have 
anything  farther  to  do  with  him. — Served  him  right. 

For  two  weeks  before  this  time,  we  had  had  much  more 
sickness  in  camp  than  before,  and  in  the  ten  days  we  lay 
here,  we  buried  four  men,  three  soldiers,  J.  R.  Haynes, 


142  BATTALIONS. 

McCorkle, Waddel,  one  teamster,  and Page.  The 

dead  were  buried  in  a  lovely  spot,  on  the  rise  of  the  green 
prairie,  under  the  boughs  of  a  large  live-oak,  whose  heavy 
branches  were  covered  with  the  long  moss,  that  drooped  in 
mournful  festoons  over  their  graves. 

Thursday,  October  15th.  This  morning  we  were  ordered  to 
strike  tents  and  saddle  up  ;  an  order  quickly  performed. 
We  were  soon  in  line,  and  with  the  whole  regiment  drawn 
out  on  the  plain.  The  five  companies  commanded  by  cap- 
tains Caswell,  Lenow,  Porter,  Haynes,  and  Newman,  being 
all  armed  with  carbines,  swords  and  holster  pistols,  were 
constituted  the  first  battalion,  under  the  immediate  com- 
mand of  Lieutenant-colonel  Allison  ; — the  other  five,  under 
captains  Gillaspie,  Cooper,  Evans,  Marshall,  and  Goodnow, 
armed  with  rifles,  were  formed  into  the  second  battalion,  un- 
der Major  Waterhouse ;  and  as  we  were  approaching  the 
enemy's  country,  an  order  was  made  for  the  regulation  of  the 
future  marches  ;  directing  that  they  should  be  continually  by 
battalions,  and  no  longer,  as  before,  by  single  companies  ; 
the  two  battalions  taking  turns  in  advance,  day  by  day,  and 
preserving,  in  the  march,  the  distance  of  a  mile  between 
them. 

In  this  order  we  took  the  road  back  for  Victoria,  through 
which  we  had  come,  having  there  turned  off  from  the  gen- 
eral course.  The  rear  of  the  Kentucky  cavalry  left  the 
town  just  before  our  advance  arrived.  We  passed  through 
the  place  to  the  Guadaloupe  river,  one-fourth  of  a  mile  be- 
yond ;  and  the  first  battalion  immediately  commenced  cross- 
ing in  the  ferry-boat,  twelve  at  a  time,  and  encamping  on  the 
western  bank,  getting  over  by  dark  ;  the  second  battalion 
halted  and  encamped  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  river,  to 
cross  in  the  morning. 

The  evening  being  pleasant  and  calm,  but  little  attention 
was  paid  to  pinning  the  tents  firmly  down ;— all  laid  down 
to  pleasant  sleep, — but  were  quickly  aroused  in  the  night, 
by  the  rude  visit  of  another  "  norther,"  that  came  sweeping 
down,  as  some  of  the  boys  said,  "but-end  foremost,"  giving 
no  warning.  The  lines  of  tents  fell  before  it  in  an  in- 


TARANTULA.  143 

stant,  and  their  inmates,  shivering  in  the  cold  blast,  were 
out,  thick  as  bees,  getting  them  up  again,  and  pinning  them 
securely.  After  this  was  done,  every  one,  as  quickly  as  pos- 
sible, put  on  all  the  clothing  they  could  carry,  and,  wrapping 
themselves  up  in  their  blankets,  endeavored  to  sleep  again ; 
but  it  was  of  not  much  use, — the  cold  wind  was  so  strong, 
and  the  change  had  been  so  sudden,  that  no  one  could  be 
comfortable,  and  there  was  not  much  sleep  the  remainder  of 
the  night. 

Friday,  October  IQth.  This  morning,  the  first  battalion  re- 
mained in  camp,  while  the  second  commenced  coming  over 
the  river,  and  after  them  the  wagon  train.  This  passage 
consumed  the  entire  day.  Some  few  more  sick  were  sent 
back  to  Lavacca,  to  go  around  to  the  Rio  Grande  by  water, 
not  being  judged,  by  the  surgeon,  to  be  able  to  stand  the 
march  through  the  wilderness.  Many  were  so  sent  from 
Camp  Placedor ;  the  commander  of  our  company,  Captain 
Porter,  was  of  this  number,  and  the  company  marched  to  the 
Rio  Grande  under  the  command  of  the  first  lieutenant.  This 
day  was  cold,  the  norther  still  blowing,  but  more  gently. 

One  of  the  company  caught  a  tarantula,  and  much  atten- 
tion was  given  to  his  examination,  by  the  men,  although  we 
had  seen  them,  occasionally,  during  the  march  of  two  or 
three  hundred  miles  back  ;  though  none  so  large  as  this  one. 

Imagine,  reader,  a  large  spider,  with  a  body  as  large  as 
half  a  hen's  egg,  and  not  much  unlike  that,  in  shape ;  this 
connected,  at  the  larger  part,  with  the  head,  by  a  more  slen- 
der middle,  which,  however,  is  very  short,  so  much  so,  that 
the  head,  which  is  nearly  as  large  as  the  body,  apparently, 
at  first  view,  joins  it  all  around, — this  head  blunt  and  square, 
as  it  were,  down  in  front ; — in  the  middle  of  this  face  is  the 
mouth,  running  up  and  down  from  the  bottom  to  the  top, — 
large  eyes,  and  body  and  head  covered  with  a  sort  of  bris- 
tles ; — and  then,  in  all  his  ugliness,  you  have  before  you  the 
tarantula,  the  king  of  the  spider  tribe.  The  bite  of  these  is 
highly  poisonous,  often  producing  death. 

Another  sort  of  "  varmint "  we  came  across  occasionally, 
almost  as  hideous  looking  as  the  tarantula,  but  very  differ- 


144  CENTIPEDES — SCORPIONS. 

ent  in  form,  is  the  "  centipede,"  or  "  sante  fe,"  as  the  men 
called  them.  These  reptiles  are  about  six  or  eight  inches  long, 
composed  of  joints  of  a  half  inch  in  length ;  they  are  from 
one-half  to  three-fourths  of  an  inch  wide,  and  flat,  or  nearly 
so,  on  the  back  and  belly ;  the  joints  are  hard,  and  have 
short,  pointed  legs  at  each  corner  of  them,  about  twenty-five 
or  thirty  on  each  side  ; — they  are  mingled  in  color,  one  joint 
being  reddish,  the  next  yellowish; — their  jaws,  or  hooks, 
with  which  they  bite,  are,  in  appearance,  like  those  of  a  bee- 
tle or  "  bess-bug,"  but  large,  strong,  and  sharp,  taking  large 
splinters  out  of  any  stick  held  towards  them. 

Besides  these,  another  beauty  often  forces  himself  into  our 
company,  though  when  we  see  him,  he  is  sure  to  meet  with 
a  "  warm  reception  ; "  it  is  the  scorpion ;  (a  species  of  lizard 
is,  in  the  southern  States,  called  by  this  name,  but  this  rep- 
tile is  entirely  of  another  stripe) ; — it  does  not  bite,  but  car- 
ries its  sting  in  the  end  of  its  tail,  which,  composed  of  joints, 
is  rolled  up  on  its  back.  It  has  two  claws  in  front,  which 
are  large,  and  give  its  body  the  appearance  of  a  craw-fish, 
and  it  is  about  the  size  of  one.  When  it  stings,  it  faces  its 
object,  and  brings  its  tail  in  a  half  circle  over  its  back  and  head. 
— The  sting  is  very  poisonous,  always  making  an  adult  very 
sick,  and  sometimes  producing  death ; — for  a  child,  it  is  said, 
the  sting  is  extremely  dangerous. 

At  sunset  all  the  battalion  was  over  the  river,  and  most  of 
the  train,  only  a  few  wagons  to  cross  in  the  morning.  We 
were  surprised  to  see  coming  into  camp,  from  the  west- 
ward, a  sergeant  and  five  regular  dragoons  ; — they  bore  a 
dispatch  from  General  Taylor  to  Colonel  Thomas.  What 
could  be  the  import  of  it  ?  was,  in  a  few  moments,  the  only 
question  asked.  Great  was  the  curiosity  manifested  among 
officers  and  men,  to  know  General  Taylor's  intentions  with  re- 
gard to  us.  Many  groups  commenced  giving  their  opinions 
upon,  and  discussing  the  subject.  Some  were  loudly  declar- 
ing that  there  was  no  need  of  our  service, — that  the  war  was 
about  closed,  and  that  the  order  was  for  us  to  be  disbanded ; 
and  this  opinion  they  wished  to  back  by  bets.  Others  equally 
wise,  contradicted  the  first,  declaring  as  loudly  that  the  war 


DISPATCH  FROM   GENERAL  TAYLOR.  145 

was  not  closed,  and  that  the  order  was  for  us  to  make  a 
forced  march,  immediately,  to  join  General  Taylor, — and  of- 
fered to  take  up  the  bets  of  the  first. — Some  of  the  officers 
were  taking  different  sides,  with  regard  to  the  matter,  while 
the  more  sensible  were  willing  to  wait  and  find  out  the  truth, 
before  advancing  an  opinion  ; — the  wiser  way ;  for  then  they 
would  not  have  to  withdraw  an  opinion  expressed. 

After  about  three  hours'  suspense,  the  dispatch  not  requir- 
ing secrecy,  the  colonel  made  its  contents  known,  much  to 
the  relief  of  the  wondering.  They  were  these : — in  the  first 
place,  an  order  to  turn  from  the  road  to  Camargo,  and  take 
the  one  for  Matamoras,  as  the  plan  of  the  campaign  had  been 
altered,  and  proceed  towards  that  place  with  reasonable 
speed;  and  secondly,  to  take  all  care  with  the  horses  of  the 
regiment;  keeping  them  in  order,  as  much  as  possible,  du- 
ring the  march  through  the  wilderness  prairie  before  us ;  as 
shortly  after  our  arrival  at  the  latter  place,  we  might  calcu- 
late on  being  ordered  upon  active  service. — This  was  the 
sum  and  substance  of  the  dispatch. 

The  escort  that  brought  it,  also  brought  one,  partly  of  the 
same  tenor,  to  Colonel  Marshall,  of  the  Kentucky  cavalry, 
now  ahead ;  differing  in  this,  that  they  were  ordered  to  pur- 
sue the  road  to  Camargo.  Thus,  the  two  regiments  were 
separated,  and  never  were  together  again  during  the  cam- 
paign ;  (the  ultimate  effect,  with  regard  to  us,  was,  that  we 
passed  to  the  south  of  Mexico,  under  General  Scott — to 
them,  that  they  were  retained  in  the  valley  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  under  General  Taylor.) 

Saturday,  October  17th.  We  left  the  camp  at  Guadaloupe,  at 
an  early  hour.  We  marched  over  a  pleasant  country,  but 
rather  scarce  of  timber,  and  at  noon  encamped  on  a  clear, 
rapid  stream,  called  the  Colette.  The  air  had  been  blowing 
from  the  north  for  the  whole  day,  and  it  had  been  quite  cool; 
— large  numbers  of  swallows,  driven  to  more  southern  climes 
by  the  cold  now  coming  on  at  the  north,  come  flitting  by  us, 
on  their  long  journey;  the  air  was  filled  with  them,  and  they 
appeared  to  us  like  old  acquaintances,  reminding  us  of  home. 
Many  large  flocks  of  geese  were  flying  over :  and  above  them, 
10 


146  COLONEL  FANNIN'S  INTRENCHMENTS. 

the  larger  ones  of  cranes,  each  one  of  which,  in  the  two  con- 
verging lines  of  every  flock,  seemed  trying  to  outdo  his  fel- 
lows in  squaking  and  squalling ;— and  with  the  whole,  they 
kept  up  a  continual  noise,  that  brought  upon  them,  from  the 
camp,  the  discharge  of  many  rifles  and  carbines,  and  was  the 
original  cause  of  the  transfer  of  many  of  their  fat  bodies, 
from  the  height  of  air,  in  which  they  had  been  exercising 
their  vocal  powers,  to  a  more  contracted  situation  in  our 
camp-kettles,  over  the  fires ;— a  change  however,  very  grati- 
fying to  us. — The  wind  from  the  north  continued  to  blow 
quite  cold,  during  the  night,  but  having  become  more  accus- 
tomed to  it,  it  affected  us  but  little,  and  we  slept  soundly. — 
Here  we  remained  the  next  day,  the  18th. 

Monday,  October  IQlh,  This  morning  was  quite  cold.  We 
were  a  little  later  than  usual,  in  commencing  the  march  of 
the  day, — which  delay  was  caused  by  our  not  being  accustomed 
to  march  by  battalion.  We  were  on  the  road  by  seven 
o'clock. — Our  march  this  day,  was  over  a  pretty  undulating 
prairie,  interspersed  with  large  tracts  perfectly  level.  After 
marching  eight  miles,  we  came  to  the  level  prairie,  called  in 
distinction  the  "  Lost  prairie."  Another  two  miles  brought 
us  to  the  intrenchments,  made  by  Colonel  Fannin's  com- 
mand of  about  240  men,  which  they  had  thrown  up  to  de- 
fend themselves  against  the  attack  of  the  Mexican  General 
Urrea,  with  a  large  force  of  cavalry  and  infantry,  and  in 
which  intrenchments  he  surrendered  his  command  as  prison- 
ers of  war  to  the  Mexican  force,  on  Sunday  morning,  March 
20, 1836.  This  intrenchment,  we  afterward  learned,  was  cut 
in  the  prairie  on  Saturday  night,  after  fighting  nearly  the 
whole  day  previous.  They,  being  surrounded,  cut  this  with 
their  bowie-knives,  and  scooped  out  the  ditch  around  an  area 
of  perhaps  a  half  acre ;  which  ditch  was  large  enough  to 
shield  them  from  the  balls  of  the  Mexican  force  ; — but  they 
had  no  water,  and  could  get  to  none.  Liberal  terms  being 
offered  them,  in  writing,  by  General  Urrea,  they  accepted 
them,  and  were  marched  back  to  Goliad,  (from  which  place 
they  were  endeavoring  to  make  a  retreat). 

After  looking  at  the  last  intrenchment  of  the  unfortunate 


SAN  ANTONIO  RIVER.  147 

Fannin,  and  his  brave  associates,  we  continued  our  march 
towards  Goliad ;  which  was  at  the  distance  of  six  or 
seven  miles.  We  soon  passed  over  the  prairie,  the  scene  of 
the  battle  between  Urrea  and  Fannin,  and  came  to  the  roll- 
ing lands  again  ;  which  were  covered  with  a  low  growth  of 
nopal  or  prickly  pear.  We  came  in  view  of  the  ruins  of  the 
old  mission  of  Bahia,  on  our  left ;  and  shortly  after  passing 
one  small  grocery,  and  one  farm  house,  the  last  habitations 
for  some  distance  now,  we  came  to  the  San  Antonio  river,  a 
pretty  stream,  like  the  Guadaloupe,  of  blueish  water,  and  en- 
camped on  its  bank,  at  two  P.  M.,  opposite  to  the  ruins  of 
the  old  town  of  Goliad  ; — the  encampment  was  pleasant, — 
fine  grass,  and  corn  abundant ;  which  we  were  glad  to  see,  for 
it  was  to  be  our  last  supply. — His  horse  being  sick,  the  author 
went  to  the  plantation,  about  half  a  mile,  to  endeavor  to  ob- 
tain some  articles  recommended,  in  such  cases,  to  relieve 
him ;  for  now  he  was  his  only  chance,  and  he  appeared 
about  to  die.  At  this  place,  however,  he  was  fortunate  to 
meet  Mr.  Owens,  at  that  time  the  farrier  of  the  company  ; 
and  he,  taking  the  sick  horse,  in  half  an  hour,  to  his  great 
satisfaction,  relieved  him  completely. 

Entering,  then,  into  a  conversation  with  the  old  gentleman 
of  the  house,  we  obtained  much  information  with  regard  to 
this  section  of  country.  He  described  the  soil  as  being, 
what  it  appeared,  very  fertile ; — the  health  of  the  country 
good,  and  its  communications  with  the  coast  easy.  The 
greatest  objection  to  it  was  the  want  of  rain.  He  described 
it  as  settled  at  wide  intervals,  along  the  eastern  side  of  this 
river,  the  San  Antonio  ;  but  no  settlements  on  the  other, — 
the  boundless  prairie  stretching  out  without  an  inhabitant 
— Here,  too,  we  fell  in  company  with  Judge  Hunter,  who  was 
one  of  Fannin's  command,  and  who  escaped  the  massacre  by 
almost  a  miracle. 

After  spending  two  hours  agreeably  here,  and  the  horse 
being  entirely  recovered,  we  walked  back  to  the  encamp- 
ment ;  now  with  its  tents  all  pitched,  horses  picketed,  and 
fires  burning.  As  it  was  yet  early  in  the  afternoon,  many 
of  us  left  the  camp,  and,  crossing  the  river,  ascended  the 


148  RUINS  OF  GOLIAD. 

long  slope,  and  proceeded  to  the  ruins  of  Goliad  :  we  passed 
away  two  hours,  in  walking  through  the  ruined  streets  and 
squares,  examining  the  old  fortifications,  &c.,  before  we 
thought  of  returning.— The  setting  sun  reminded  us  of  the 
lapse  of  time,  and  we  reluctantly  started  back ;  determining 
if  possible,  to  pay  the  ruins  another  visit  in  the  morning. 
We  fed  our  horses  well,  knowing  that  the  corn  now  given 
them  would  be  the  last  they  would  get  for  many  days. 
After  sitting  up  late, — for  the  day's  march  had  been  so  light 
that  no  one  was  fatigued — we  retired  to  rest.  On  this  even- 
ing, the  first  regular  regimental  guard  of  sentinels,  throughout 
the  night,  was  set;  for  we  were  now  on  the  very  edge,  if  it 
could  be  so  expressed,  of  the  frontier ;  and  this  river  might 
properly  be  said  to  be  the  south-western  boundary  of  the 
settlements  of  the  republic  of  the  United  States.  A  long 
distance,  truly,  from  this  to  the  opposite  one  on  the  north- 
east. 

Tuesday,  October  20f/t.  This  morning,  the  Colonel  issued 
an  order  that  no  man  should  cross  the  river,  until  the  wagon 
train  was  all  over ;  the  ford  being  difficult,  and  the  banks 
high,  steep,  and  slippery ;  so  that  there  was  a  disappoint- 
ment, with  regard  to  those  of  us  who  had  laid  off  a  visit  to 
the  ruins  of  Goliad ; — but  shortly  after,  a  wagon  upset,  in 
going  up  the  opposite  bank  ;  and  Lieutenant-colonel  Allison 
sent  over  for  a  detail  of  two  men,  from  each  company,  to  come 
over  to  get  it  up, — and,  as  good  fortune  would  have  it,  the 
author  was  ordered  to  cross,  which  he  did,  taking  all  his 
arms  and  accoutrements  with  him  so  as  not  to  be  compelled 
to  return. 

When  we  had  got  over,  it  took  but  a  few  moments  to  get 
the  wagon  up,  and  reload  it ;  and  then,  being  free  for  several 
hours,  we  went  on  to  the  ruins ;  which,  judging  from  the 
continued  howling  that  came  from  their  dreary  recesses,  last 
night,  now  was  the  den  of  numberless  wolves. — We  had 
been  annoyed,  by  these,  every  night,  for  some  time  back,  but 
on  the  last  night  especially ;  a  little  before  day,  the  ruins,  and 
the  prairie  all  around  us,  seemed  alive  with  them,  making  a 
most  doleful  noise. — Arriving  on  the  spot,  we  examined  the 


RUINS  OF  GOLIAD.  149 

whole  at  our  leisure,  knowing  that  it  would  take  the  whole 
day  for  the  train  and  troops  to  cross  the  river. — From  an  ele- 
vated point  in  front,  on  the  western  part  of  the  ruins, the  au- 
thor sketched  the  old  church  of  the  place,  in  which  Fannin's 
men  were  confined, — and  of  the  fortification  around  it ;  in- 
cluding a  glimpse  of  the  San  Antonio  river,  at  the  bottom 
of  the  hill,  and  of  the  ruins  of  the  old  mission  of  Bahia,  on 
the  northern  side  of  the  river,  and  a  catch  of  the  distant  land- 
scape ;  which  will  be  seen  opposite  page  150. 

The  ruins  of  Goliad  occupy  much  room,  covering  the  top 
of  the  hill ;  which,  on  one  side,  the  north-east,  looks  down 
on  the  beautiful  valley  of  the  San  Antonio,  and  on  the  other, 
the  south-west,  on  the  boundless  prairie,  stretching  out,  level 
as  the  sea.  The  town  having  been  built  of  stone,  entirely, 
its  ruins  will  last  for  a  long  time  ; — the  church  will  stand  for 
ages.  To  walk  through  the  ruined  streets,  with  the  old 
crumbling  houses  on  either  side,  once  densely  populated,  now 
with  trees  and  tall  weeds  growing  around  them, — the  hiding 
places  of  scorpions  and  other  reptiles,  and  the  concealed  dens 
of  wolves  ; — to  see  the  broken  arches,  once  erected  with  care, 
— the  fine  work,  amid  universal  decay,  gives,  to  the  mind  of 
the  thoughtful,  a  train  of  melancholy  reflections. 

Amid  the  ruins,  the  old  church,  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  over- 
looking the  valley,  stands  out,  the  strongest  and  most  unin- 
jured.— Its  situation  was  well  chosen  for  extensive  scenery. 
No  valley  can  be  more  picturesque  than  that  of  the  San  An- 
tonio, which  is  stretched  out  below  it. — Its  walls,  and  lofty 
arched  stone  roof,  are  blackened  by  the  smoke  from  the  fires 
of  those  who,  from  time  to  time,  have  made  it  a  stopping- 
place  for  a  night. — Such  it  has  been,  for  years,  for  every  war 
or  hunting  party  of  Indians,  who  have  come  down  over  the 
prairie.  The  church,  within,  is  eighty-one  feet  by  thirty,  and 
thirty  high,  to  the  arched  roof;  on  the  southern  side,  it  has  a 
vestibule,  of  thirty  by  thirty  feet,  and  twenty  in  height; — on 
the  northern  side,  on  either  corner,  is  a  projection,  twenty  by 
twenty  feet,  and  each  of  the  height  of  the  main  building;  and 
the  one  on  the  north-west  corner,  cannot,  by  a  view  from 
that  direction,  be  distinguished  from  the  front.  The  lower 


150  RUJNS  OF  GOLIAD. 

room,  in  this  projection,  resembles  a  dungeon,  more  than 
anything  else.  The  roof  of  the  whole,  as  said  before,  is  of 
stone,  and  the  flat  top  is  made  of  that  durable  cement,  of 
which  the  older  Spaniards  were  so  good  manufacturers,  and 
which  we  afterward  had  occasion  to  admire,  in  the  massive 
works  of  southern  Mexico. 

Adjoining  the  church  was  a  fortified  enclosure,  (seen  in 
the  view),  containing  an  area  of  about  two  and  a  half  acres, 
and  strong  even  in  its  ruins  ;  with  round  bastions  at  each 
corner,  for  the  mounting  of  artillery,  and  loopholes  along  the 
walls.  The  front  wall  was  composed  of  a  block  of  stone 
buildings,  about  twenty-five  feet  high,  one  opening  on  the 
outside.  On  the  thick  walls  of  these  ruined  buildings,  as 
well  as  on  those  of  the  body  of  the  church,  was  much  finely 
sculptured  stone  work ;  the  remainder  of  the  wall  around, 
had  been  about  fifteen  feet  high,  and  from  three  to  four  in 
thickness ;  this,  like  the  buildings,  was  broken.  The  old 
Mission,  seen  over  the  river,  on  the  left  of  the  picture,  was 
in  the  same  state  of  ruin  ;  but  its  roof  was  also  gone;  one 
gable  end  still  stood  up. — The  stone  of  which  this  town  and 
church  was  built,  is  somewhat  of  the  nature  of  "rotten  lime- 
stone,"— is  quite  light  in  color, — quarries  out  regularly  and 
easily, — is  soft,  when  first  quarried,  but  becomes  hard 
on  exposure  to  the  air.  (The  same  kind  of  stone,  we  saw 
afterward,  was  used  for  building  throughout  the  northern 
part  of  Mexico,  and  in  fact,  more  or  less  through  all  of  our 
route  ;  many  towns  being  built  entirely  of  it.  It  is  the  most 
convenient  building  material  they  can  use, — for  the  ease 
with  which  it  is  quarried  is  surprising,  as  also  the  perfect 
regularity  with  which  the  blocks  split  out.  It  is  abundant, 
in  almost  every  hill,  from  Goliad,  on  the  north,  to  Tampico, 
on  the  south.) — The  quarries,  whence  this  stone  was  obtain- 
ed, were  outside  the  ruins  of  the  town. 

This  town  of  Goliad,  was  founded  by  La  Salle,  the  great 
explorer,  in  1682.  It  flourished  for  several  generations,  and 
once  contained  ten  thousand  inhabitants ; — now  was  entirely 
deserted. 

In  the  old  church   and  fortification,  were  Fannin'a  men 


MASSACRE  OF  FANNIN'S  COMMAND.  153 

confined,  for  a  week  previous  to  their  massacre. — The  whole 
of  this  business  was  an  ill-judged,  and  unfortunate  affair, 
on  the  part  of  the  Texan  commander ;  and  of  the  utmost 
brutality  and  treachery,  on  the  part  of  the  Mexican  officers. 
—The  whole  of  the  responsibility  of  this  bloody  assassina- 
tion, of  unarmed  prisoners,  rests  with  Santa  Anna;  of 
which  we  will  take  notice. 

The  history  of  the  affair,  in  a  few  words,  is  this : — Fannin, 
who  had  occupied  this  post  for  some  time,  determined  to  hold 
it,  after  he  was  apprised  of  the  approach  of  a  large  Mexican 
army,  and  after,  too,  that  army  had,  a  month  previous,  ap- 
peared before  the  town  of  San  Antonio,  the  next  post,  and 
shortly  after,  stormed  the  fortress  of  the  Alamo,  putting  its 
garrison  to  the  sword;  when, besides, he  had  no  provisions,  or 
means  of  standing  a  siege.  The  road  lay  open  for  him  to 
retreat,  but  he  thought  he  could  hold  the  place  until  he  might 
be  reinforced.  He  continued  in  his  determination  to  hold 
the  fort,  until  a  strong  body  of  cavalry  and  infantry  under 
General  Urrea,  were  on  the  march  for  the  place,  and  close 
to  it.  And  then,  to  cap  the  climax,  in  the  face  of  this  army, 
he  altered  his  determination ;  and,  abandoning  his  strong- 
hold, attempted  to  retreat ;  but  too  late ! — The  little  force 
had  marched  but  four  miles,  when  they  were  overtaken,  and 
attacked ;  and,  in  six  miles,  were  compelled  to  halt  and  in- 
trench, without  water,  in  the  open  plain ;  and,  of  course,  to 
surrender ;  which  surrender  was  made  on  the  morning  of 
Sunday,  March  20th,  1836,  on  condition  that  they  should  be 
well  treated,  and  sent  to  the  United  States. — With  two  other 
detachments,  under  majors  Ward  and  Miller,  captured  sepa- 
rately, in  all  about  420  men,  they  were  confined  in  the  church 
for  one  week  ;  when,  on  Sunday,  March  27th,  on  the  infor- 
mation that  they  were  to  be  marched  to  the  coast,  to  go  to 
New  Orleans,  they  were  conducted,  in  three  columns,  out 
between  lines  of  Mexican  soldiers ;  one  column  going  east — 
one  south, — and  one  west ;  and,  at  given  signals  were  sud- 
denly shot  down,  without  warning; — from  the  butchery,  some 
few  endeavored  to  escape  by  running ;  some  of  these  were 
overtaken  and  killed ;  others  finally  escaped. — Colonel  Fan- 


154  MASSACRE  OF  FANNIN'S  COMMAND. 

niri  was  shot,  in  the  yard,  by  himself;  and  the  spots  where 
the  numerous  balls  struck  the  stone  wall  behind  him,  after 
passing  through  him,  are  still  pointed  out. 

When  Fannin  capitulated  to  Urrea,  that  General  immedi- 
ately sent  a  dispatch  to  Santa  Anna,  then  at  San  Antonio, 
informing  him  of  the  capture  of  the  detachments  and  asking 
what  he  should  do  with  the  prisoners. — Instead  of  replying 
to  him,  to  observe  the  terms  of  capitulation,  that  he,  as  com- 
mander of  that  division,  had  entered  into  with  the  prisoners 
according  to  the  established  rules  of  warfare,  in  civilized 
nations,  Santa  Anna,  wishing  them  destroyed,  but  yet  too 
cunning  to  have  such  an  act  laid  at  his  door,  wrote  back  no 
answer  at  all ;  but  sent  to  General  Urrea  a  copy  of  an 
act  of  congress  of  Mexico  to  the  effect  that  no  prisoners 
should  be  taken,  and  that  all  persons,  found  in  arms  against 
the  government,  should  be  put  to  death. — Urrea  took  this 
as  his  answer. — Santa  Anna,  after  his  fortune  had  changed, 
upon  being  interrogated,  with  regard  to  this  butchery, 
by  President  Jackson,  at  Washington,  endeavored  to  deny 
that  it  was  by  bis  order  or  connivance  that  it  had  been 
done. 

He,  who  obeyed  the  laws  of  congress  only  when  it  suited 
his  own  convenience,  and  who  was,  in  effect,  a  Dictator  of 
all  the  laws,  and  who  hesitated  not,  when  his  purposes  re- 
quired it,  to  prevent  that  congress,  by  the  point  of  the  bayo- 
net from  meeting,  seemed  suddenly  to  find  himself  under 
such  strong  obligation  to  an  old  law,  that  never  had,  in  all 
their  numberless  revolutions  been  practiced,  as  to  force  him 
to  command  the  barbarous,  cold  blooded  murder  of  four  hun- 
dred men;  to  whom  the  honor  of  the  Mexican  nation,  about 
which  he  speaks  so  much,  had  been  pledged  in  a  fair  and 
open  capitulation,  for  the  performance  of  that  agreement, 
upon  which  they  laid  down  their  arms. 

He  must  violate  all  this,  now  that  the  prisoners  were  in 
his  power,  to  satisfy  that  old  law,  to  which  he  himself,  sev- 
eral times,  as  a  revolutionist,  had  been  amenable,  if  it  had 
ever  been  put  in  force. 

If  it  is  said  that  he  acted  on  the  clause  that  had  been  passed 


SANTA  ANNA'S   IMPUDENCE.  155 

at  the  commencement  of  this  Texan  war,  viz :  "  that  no  pris- 
oners should  be  taken  ; "  then,  upon  that,  there  was,  even  if 
he  had  been  ever  so  scrupulous  with  regard  to  adherence  to 
the  law,  no  reason  to  justify  the  massacre  of  the  prisoners ; 
for  these  had  already  been  taken,  under  a  solemn  promise  of 
the  Mexican  nation,  so  far  as  a  commander  of  a  separate  di- 
vision of  its  army  is  the  representative  of  that  nation,  of 
fair  and  honorable  treatment. — No  !  he  wished  them  shot; — 
he  cared  not  for  capitulations. — He  had  killed  every  one  of 
those  found  in  the  Alamo,  after  they,  by  ten  days'  hard  and 
gallant  fighting,  had  slain  hundreds  of  his  soldiers. — He 
wished  these  shot  also ;  but,  as  said  before,  wanted  not  the 
odium  of  the  act ;  and  he  therefore  adopted  a  measure  for 
that  end,  fully  as  effective  as  though  he  had  sent  a  posi- 
tive order  to  General  Urrea ;  and  then  because  he  did  not 
send  such  positive  order,  he  has  the  impudence  to  endeavor, 
after  his  defeat,  to  exculpate  himself  from  the  responsibility 
of  the  deed.  And  what  is  more  strange,  is,  to  see  an  Ameri- 
can statesman  and  writer  endeavoring  to  palliate  the  act, 
and  excuse  him  in  this  occurrence,  as  well  as  others,  endeav- 
oring, (to  be  sure  not  in  direct  terms),  to  make  it  out  that  it 
was  unavoidable,  on  the  part  of  Santa  Anna.* 

Any  American,  who  can  excuse  or  palliate,  on  such  a  tri- 
fling pretext,  this  wholesale  murder  of  his  countrymen,  this 
open  violation  of  the  most  sacred  capitulation,  must  have 
really  a  singular  personal  preference  for  the  author  of  the 
outrage. — But  we  are  digressing;  and,  merely  mentioning  the 
almost  miraculous  escape  of  Judge  Hunter,  from  the  massa- 
cre, we  will  return  to  our  encampment  for  the  day. — He  was 
in  one  of  the  columns,  when  they  heard  the  volley,  from  one 
of  the  others,  that  was  sending  his  comrades  to  eternity. 
Quick  as  this  was  heard,  the  prisoners  in  that  one  suspected 
the  truth,  and  one  man,  with  a  desperate  resolve,  broke  from 
the  line  and  ran.  Several  shots  were  fired  after  him,  but 
unavailing ;  he  escaped.  At  the  same  instant,  the  large 
column  of  the  soldiery  were  ordered  to  fire  upon  the  prison- 
ers ;  which  they  did  immediately ;  and  the  line  of  unarmed 

*  Waddy  Thompson's  Recollections  of  Mexico. 


156  HUNTER'S  ESCAPE  FROM  MASSACRE. 

men  fell  before  the  fire.  Hunter  threw  himself  on  the 
ground,  in  time  to  avoid  it ;  two  of  his  comrades,  in  their 
death  agonies,  fell  upon  him,  and  covered  him  with  their 
blood;  he  remained  still;  but  moving  a  little,  afterward, 
was  discovered,  stabbed,  his  throat  cut,  and  his  skull  broken 
with  the  butts  of  their  muskets ;  and  being  stripped  of  his 
clothing,  as  the  others,  was  left  for  dead  ;  but,  despite  his  se- 
vere wounds,  fate  had  not  yet  decreed  his  death.  In  the 
night,  he  came  to  his  senses,  and  crawled  off  down  to  the 
river ;  which  he  managed  to  cross,  and  after  incredible  suf- 
fering, got  to  the  house  of  a  Mexican  woman,  who  dressed 
his  wounds,  and  sent  him  off,  under  the  charge  of  her  son, 
on  horseback,  to  a  place  of  more  safety,  another  Mexican 
family,  on  the  Guadaloupe.  Here  they  secreted  him;  and  by 
good  nursing,  and  strict  attention,  he  recovered. 

The  regiment  having  all  passed  over  the  San  Antonio, 
together  with  the  wagon  train, — but  too  late  to  perform 
any  march, — encamped  on  the  western  bank  of  the  river. 
Corn  enough  was  left,  last  night,  to  allow  our  horses  five 
ears  each  ;  which,  though  a  small  feed,  was  of  great  service 
to  them.  A  strong  guard  was  set,  this  night,  around  the  en- 
campment ;  and  as  this  was  always  done  in  the  same  man- 
ner, the  form  will  be  here  described. 

— The  encampment  was  made  as  compact  as  possible. — 
The  guard  consisted  of  sixty  men ; — these  were  divided  into 
three  equal  numbers  of  twenty  each,  called  first,  second  and 
third  reliefs.  The  first  relief  was  posted  around,  at  equal 
distances,  at  eight,  P.  M.;  each  one  with  a  short  distance  to 
walk  back  and  forward,  with  instructions  to  let  no  one  pass 
without  the  countersign,  neither  in,  nor  out.  The  countersign 
was  a  word  selected  by  the  colonel,  or  highest  officer,  and  by 
him  given  to  the  officer  of  the  day,  (the  one  that,  for  the  day, 
had  control  of  the  guard,  and  who  saw  to  the  general  police 
of  the  camp),  and  was  known  only  to  him,  the  immediate  offi- 
cer of  the  guard,  and  the  sentinels.  While  the  guard  were 
thus  posted,  the  first  and  second  reliefs  were  sleeping  at  the 
guard  fire,  a  short  distance  from  the  encampment,  and  on  the 
line  of  surrounding  sentinels.  At  eleven  o'clock,  the  second 


RELIEVING   GUARD.  157 

relief  was  awakened  by  the  sergeant ;  they  fell  into  line ; 
the  list  was  called  as  made  out  the  night  before,  and  all 
were  counted  off;  then  the  following  commands  and  move- 
ments took  place : 

Sergeant.  Attention !  second  relief!  —  every  one  threw 
himself  in  the  attitude  of  the  soldier,  erect,  leaning  a  little 
forward.  Carry — arms !  equivalent  to  "  shoulder  arms"  with 
infantry.  Right — face !  Forward  (at  this,  every  one  rested 
on  his  right  foot) — march!  every  one  stepped  off  with  his 
left  foot ;  the  relief  moved  on,  with  the  sergeant  at  the  head; 
in  a  few  moments,  the  outline  of  the  first  sentinel  could  be 
seen  in  the  darkness,  and  as  soon  as  within  a  dozen  paces  or 
so,  the  sentinel  challenged  :  "  Who  comes  there  ?  "  The  ser- 
geant replied,  "Sergeant  of  the  guard,  with  second  relief!" 
Sentinel.  "Second  relief — halt! — Advance,  sergeant,  and 
give  the  countersign."  The  relief  halted,  the  sergeant  ad- 
vanced near  to  the  sentinel,  and,  in  a  low  voice,  gave  the 
countersign  ;  which,  this  night,  was  "  Fannin."  This  being 
right,  the  sergeant  turned  to  the  relief; — "Advance  relief!" — 
they  advanced  up  to  the  sentinel ; — "  Halt !"  No.  1,  the  first 
in  line,  then  receiving  from  the  sentinel  all  his  instructions, 
and,  in  a  low  voice,  the  countersign,  took  his  place,  and  the 
sentinel  relieved  fell  in  the  rear,  and  followed  on.  Coming 
in  view  of  No.  2,  the  same  thing  occurred, — and  so  on,  through 
the  whole,  and  back  to  the  camp  fire,  where  all  the  relieved 
guard  lay  down  to  sleep.  At  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the 
third  relief  was  awakened,  and  in  the  same  manner  relieved 
the  other ;  they  standing  until  daylight. 

The  author,  on  the  regimental  guard,  at  this  time,  was,  with 
the  others  from  company  G,  on  the  second  relief,  and  stood 
his  turn  from  eleven  to  two  o'clock.  The  night  was  very 
dark. — There  were  many  small  gullies  on  the  prairie,  and 
these  were  hidden  by  the  tall  grass,  so  that  he  could  not  see 
them ;  and,  in  walking  his  distance,  about  sixty  yards,  back 
and  forth,he  fell  into  them  two  or  three  times  ;  but  his  vexa- 
tion, at  this,  was  turned  into  suppressed  laughter,  at  hearing 
his  next  comrade  floundering  out  of  one,  only  to  fall  into  an- 
other; there  being  more  of  them  on  his  ground.  He  picked 


158  SOLDIER  ON  GUARD. 

himself  up,  two  or  three  times,  without  saying  anything ; — 
then  began  to  swear,  "  not  loud,  but  deep."  His  muttered 
oaths  were  hardly  out,  before  he  went  in  again.  "  This  is  a 
pretty  place  to  put  a  fellow,  this  time  of  night,"  soliloquized 
he,  as  he  felt  his  way  along ;  "  shall  break  my  neck,  sure,  be- 
fore we're  relieved. — Ah  !  here  is  another  ; — did'nt  catch  me 
that  time  ; — if  I  had  a  candle,  I  could  come  it. — No  need  of 
a  guard  along  here,  any  how. — If  any  of  the  Comanches, 
Lipans,  Mexicans,  or  any  other  of  the  c-s-d  red  skins  should 
come  here,  they  could  not  get  into  camp ;  for  they  would 
break  every  one  of  their  d — d  necks,  in  these  gullies !" — 
Down  he  went  again,  as  he  finished  his  sentence,  his  gun 
striking  heavily  on  the  ground  ; — as  he  got  out, — "D — m  the 
gullies,"  he  said ; — "  what's  the  use  of  walking  back  and 
forward,  any  way  ; — I  won't  do  it ; — I'll  stay  right  here  ; " — 
and  there,  in  one  spot,  he  did  stay. 

Wednesday,  October  21st.  This  morning,  we  of  the  guard 
were  roused  about  daylight  ;  the  third  relief  was  taken  off, 
and  all  forming  into  line,  were,  after  a  delay  of  a  few  mo- 
ments, dismissed,  for  half  an  hour,  to  get  our  breakfasts  ;  we 
then  met  again ;  one-half,  under  a  lieutenant,  took  up  the 
line  of  march,  as  the  advance  guard  ; — the  regiment  then  fol- 
lowed, in  its  separate  battalions ; — then  the  wagon  train 
wound  its  slow  course  along; — following  that,  the  remaining 
thirty  of  us,  under  Lieutenant  Kirk,  came  as  rear  guard. 

We  had  been  passing,  for  some  time,  through  a  section  of 
country  very  thinly  settled ;  sometimes  ten,  sometimes 
twenty  miles  from  house  to  house ;  but  now  there  was  no 
residence  for  eighty  miles,  to  San  Patricio,  on  the  Nueces 
river.  Our  general  course,  from  Memphis  to  Goliad  had 
been  south-west,  save  the  short  diversion  south-east,  to  La-- 
vacca,  and  the  return  therefrom,  to  the  main  route  ;  now  we 
turned  more  to  the  southward,  pursuing,  from  this  place  to 
San  Patricio,  a  course  nearly  due  south. 

We  were  directed  by  Lieutenant  Kirk,  to  ride  up  and  down 
the  banks  of  the  river,  to  see  that  no  loose  horses  were  left, 
and  that  all  persons  were  off.  We  did  so,  but  finding  no 
one,  we  formed  in  two's  and  followed  the  regiment,  now 


EFFECT  OF   LIQUOR. 

about  two  miles  ahead.  We  passed  directly  through  the 
ruins,  and  descending  the  hill  on  the  south-east  side  of  the 
romantic  valley  of  the  San  Antonio,  entered  the  dead  level 
of  the  prairie,  which  lay  spread  out  apparently  boundless; 
and  from  the  east,  by  the  south,  to  the  west,  not  relieved,  in 
it.°  distinct  outline  on  the  horizon,  by  a  single  tree  or  any  ob- 
ject of  elevation.  After  marching  some  four  miles,  we  came 
to  one  of  the  men,  sick,  near  the  road  side ;  but  although  he 
had  a  severe  chill,  we  were  obliged  to  take  him  on,  for  it 
would  not  do  to  leave  him  to  come  up,  as  by  the  report  of 
the  Kentucky  cavalry,  sent  back,  we  had  reason  to  believe 
that  a  large  war-party  of  Comanches  were  hovering  on  the 
prairie. 

In  another  mile,  we  came  up  with  the  rear  of  the  wagon 
train ;  and  as  we  were  compelled  to  keep  behind  them,  the 
Lieutenant  ordered  a  halt ;  and  we  stretched  ourselves  out 
in  the  grass,  for  an  hour,  while  the  wagons  gained  distance 
ahead. — We  then  remounted. — We  had  several  prisoners  in 
custody,  the  reason  of  which  was,  that  there  had  been  whisky 
to  sell  near  the  camp,  at  the  river,  at  the  single  grocery  spoken, 
of,  and  several  quarrels  had  taken  place.  One  of  these,  still 
under  the  strong  effect  of  liquor,became  so  unmanageable,  that 
it  was  hard  work  to  get  along  with  him. — On  this  day's 
march,  no  good  water  was  found; — a  few  warm  pond-holes 
were  passed. — The  soil  was  alternately  rich  and  black,  and 
then  sandy  and  poor  ;  no  timber  at  all,  until  at  the  close  of 
the  day,  we  arrived  at  a  long  skirt  of  scrubby  post-oaks  ;  and 
beyond  them  was  a  pretty  creek  of  pure  water,  where  the 
regiment  encamped. — Here,  too,  was  fine  grass. — Each  one 
tied  his  horse  out  by  a  long  rope,  called,  in  this  country,  and 
by  the  Mexicans,  a  "  lariat ;"  for  the  grass  was  all  we  had 
for  them. — March,  this  day,  about  thirty  miles. 

Our  time,  as  guard,  being  out  this  evening,  a  new  one  was 
detailed  for  the  next  twenty-four  hours.  We  of  the  old 
guard,  under  our  officers,  were  drawn  up  in  line  about  sunset ; 
then  came  files  of  men,  from  each  company,  who  were  to 
supply  our  places ;  each  file  being  under  the  command  of 
an  orderly  sergeant;  these  fell  into  another  line,  at  a  little 


160  PRICKLY  PEAR. 

distance  from  us,  each  sergeant  delivering  to  the  adjutant 
the  list  of  the  names  of  the  men  from  his  company. — These 
were  embodied; — the  new  officer  of  the  day  appointed, — and 
the  arms  of  the  new  guard  inspected,  and  loaded; — then 
formed  into  ranks ;  and  wheeling,  came  down  by  our  line  of 
the  old  guard  and,  being  saluted  by  us  with  presented  arms, 
they  passed  to  the  guard  tents ; — took  possession  of  them, 
and  the  charge  of  the  prisoners  ;  while  we  were  marched 
off  to  the  edge  of  the  encampment,  and  brought  to  a  front- 
face  ;  and  by  the  regular  commands,  "  ready  ! — aim  ! — fire," 
the»guns  were  all  discharged,  and  we  were  dismissed. 

The  details,  for  the  guard,  were  made  in  each  company  in 
alphabetical  order  ;  so  were  those  for  wagon  guard  ;  and  at 
this  time,  in  our  company,  those  who  came  on  regimental 
guard  one  day,  were  sure  to  be  on  wagon  guard  the  next  day 
or  the  day  after. 

Friday,  October  23d.  Yesterday,  Thursday,  we  marched 
twenty  miles  over  the  level  prairie  ;  and  this  morning  we 
were  again  early  on  the  route.  The  way  was  long  and 
weary  ;  the  sun  was  quite  hot,  and  there  was  no  breeze  ;  the 
columns  raised  heavy  clouds  of  dust,  which  were  extremely 
uncomfortable. — We  marched  thirty  miles,  over  a  perfectly 
level  prairie  ;  no  timber;  fine  grass,  and  abundance  of  prickly 
pear ;  the  fruit  of  this  is  shaped  like  a  pear,  smaller,  how- 
ever, of  a  rod  color,  and  agreeable  taste  ; — it  is  hard  to  get, 
though,  for  the  thick  leaves  are  covered  with  barbed  thorns, 
long  and  keen  as  needles  ;  and  when  they  enter  the  skin, 
they  are  difficult  to  pull  out.  We  had  passed  innumer- 
able deer,  to-day,  and  many  of  them  were  killed  ;  we  saw 
also  several  wild  horses.  A  beautiful  large  claybank,  with 
snowy  white  mane  and  tail,  came  up  near  us,  holding  his 
head  high,  to  examine  us  ;  this  he  continued  a  few  mo- 
ments, when,  as  if  satisfied,  he  bounded  away,  leaving  a 
long  trail  of  rising  dust  behind  him. 

At  four  P.  M.  we  arrived  at  the  little  village  of  San  Patri- 
cio, — if  three  stick  houses,  daubed  with  mud,  can  be  called  a 
village ;— though  they  looked  well,  to  us,  not  having  seen  a 
house  in  three  days'  traveling.  The  families  here  were  Irish ; 


NUECES   RIVER.  161 

how  they  had  ever  got  into  this  wilderness,  was  more  than 
we  could  account  for. — The  word  San  Patricio,  is  the  Mexi- 
can method  of  expressing  the  name  of  the  well  known  Irish 
saint,  St.  Patrick. — The  village  is  about  half  a  mile  north 
of  the  Nueces  river  ; — on  this  was  a  ferry  boat ;  the  last  on 
the  route.  The  advance  guard,  and  the  2d,  or  Rifle  battalion 
Commenced  the  crossing  immediately,  while  the  first  was 
ordered  to  encamp  on  the  northern  side,  which  afforded  but 
poor  grass,  and  a  bad  chance  to  get  water  from  the  river  on 
account  of  the  steepness  of  the  banks. 

Venison  was  plenty  in  camp,  at  night ;  deer  enough  hav- 
ing been  killed,  during  the  day,  to  supply  the  whole  regiment 
with  sufficient  fresh  meat  for  the  supper  and  following 
breakfast; — to  this,  many  added  fish,  from  the  river; 
where  they  caught  large  numbers,  with  but  very  little  trouble. 
— The  Nueces  is  a  deep  stream,  with  a  rapid  current,  and  in 
most  places,  with  high  banks. — It  is  said,  that  it  can  be  nav- 
igated up  as  far  as  this  place,  if  not  much  farther. 

Saturday,  October  24th.  The  2d  battalion  having  all  got 
over  the  river  yesterday,  the  1st  commenced  crossing  early 
this  morning  ; — the  miserable  shackly  ferry  boat,  was  used 
to  take  the  wagons,  the  arms  and  accoutrements,  and  men 
over ;  the  horses  all  swam  across.  The  passage  was  so 
slow,  that  it  was  near  sunset  when  the  last  got  over. — A  de- 
cided change  was  seen  in  the  appearance  of  the  lands  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Nueces  ;  instead  of  the  dull,  perfectly  level 
prairie,  the  land  rose  in  lofty  swells,  with  beautiful  valleys 
in  every  shape, — extensive  views, — little  lakes  of  water, — 
green  grass,  and  beauty  in  every  object. — Here  were  groves 
of  timber ;  the  first  we  had  seen  for  several  days  ;  and  the 
quality  of  the  grass  was  such,  that  our  half  starved  horses 
did  not  apparently  know  when  to  cease  eating. 

The  encampment  was  in  a  beautiful  situation,  on  some 
little  hills,  ten  miles  below  the  ferry.  The  water  of  the  river 
was  pleasant  to  the  taste,  and  for  bathing,  and  many  wrent 
into  it.  The  change  of  scenery  produced  a  correspond- 
ing change  in  our  feelings  ;  for  the  last  three  evenings 
all  had  been  dull;  there  was  no  life,  no  spirit,  no  enjoyment ; 
11 


162  CORPUS  CHRISTI. 

but  this  night  all  were  in  better  humor.  They  got  their  sup- 
pers, on  getting  to  camp,  but  did  not  lay  down  to  sleep  until 
late.  Thousands  of  wild  geese  flew  over  the  camp  ;  and  the 
way  that  Uncle  Sam's  rifle  and  carbine  cartridges  were  used 
up,  for  about  an  hour,  was  by  no  means  slow ;  the  colonel, 
however,  stopped  the  sport  of  firing,  after  that  time. 

Sunday,  October  25tA.  Our  colonel  having  determined 
to  leave  the  direct  road  to  Matamoras,  and  go  by  Corpus 
Christi,  to  take  General  Taylor's  route,  we  turned  to  the  east, 
directly  down  the  river,  and  marched  along  its  meandering 
course,  over  pretty  fertile  plains  and  wooded  hills  ;  here 
and  there  coming  to  the  river,  which,  at  last  wound  its  way 
in  a  serpentine  course,  eastwardly,  into  the  heart  of  a  vast 
body  of  marshes,  that  spread  out  before  us,  and  looking  from 
the  hills,  like  a  silver  thread,  in  their  distant  bosom  of  green, 
so  fresh  and  so  extensive ;  beyond  these  a  narrow  line  of 
blue,  dark  and  even,  showed  the  salt  waters  of  the  bay  ; — 
the  breeze  from  this,  over  the  marshes,  came  cooling  and  in- 
vigorating. 

At  two  P.  M.  after  marching  twenty-five  miles,  we  came 
out  on  a  high  bluff,  overlooking  a  splendid  prospect  of  sea 
and  land; — the  wide  bay,  with  its  blue  waters  curled  by  the 
strong  sea  breeze  in  breaker  caps  of  foam,  stretched  out  to 
the  right  and  front,  and  came  round,  with  a  long  sweep,  to 
the  left ;  enclosing,  on  that  side,  a  pretty  little  peninsula  of 
flat,  white  shell  beach ;  between  the  left  and  front,  on  this 
peninsula,  directly  below  us,  was  the  former  encampment  of 
the  army  of  occupation,  under  General  Taylor  ; — there  they 
remained  many  months,  awaiting  the  action  of  Mexico  for 
peace  or  war.  On  the  edge  of  the  bluff  before  us,  as  it  com- 
menced its  fall  down  to  the  beach  below,  was  part  of  the 
town  of  Corpus  Christi, — or  in  English  "  Christ's  body." 

The  column  moved  on,  and  we  came  to  the  commence- 
ment of  the  descent,  and  could  see  all  the  plain  below. — 
There  was  the  principal  part  of  the  town,  which  before  had 
been  concealed  from  our  view.  It  was  now  below  us,  on 
the  same  white  shell  beach  as  that,  which,  on  the  left,  at  the 
distance  of  a  mile,  formed  the  peninsula,  of  the  camp.  The 


GENERAL  TAYLOR'S  OLD  CAMP.  163 

waves  broke  in  ceaseless  roar  and  foam  upon  it,  rushing  up 
to  the  road  below.  One  small  schooner  rode  at  anchor  in 
front  of  the  town.  The  halt  here  commanded,  for  a  few 
moments,  was  rendered  pleasant,  by  this  fine  view  and  by 
the  coolness  of  the  sea  breeze. 

The  town  itself  was  small.  Overlooking  the  whole,  we 
could  count  every  house ;  there  were  not  more  than  thirty  or 
forty  there;  one  or  two  quite  pretty  places.  One,  the  re- 
sidence of  Colonel  Kinney,  who  afterward  accompanied  us 
through  Mexico,  was  a  very  neat  and  tastefully  fitted  up 
house,  though  small. — The  wagon  train  coming  up,  we  de- 
scended the  long  slope,  to  the  left  of  the  town,  down  to  the 
shell  beach  ;  turning  to  the  left,  we  went  on  the  peninsula.— 
The  beach  was  hard,  and  on  its  smooth  surface,  where  the 
waves  were  beating,  the  tread  of  the  horses  made  no  impres- 
sion. 

We  arrived  at  Taylor's  old  camp ; — found  it  enclosed  by 
walls  of  this  shell  earth,  thrown  up  to  keep  off  the  continued 
force  of  the  sea  breeze.  The  space  included  within  the  out- 
side parallel  walls  was  separated  into  many  long  and  nar- 
row divisions  ;  one  for  each  company  ; — these  were  directly 
into  our  hand,  as  the  saying  is  ;  but  we  found  that  each  had 
been  intended  for  a  company  of  infantry,  and  were  not  large 
enough  for  us  ;  and  we  were  uncomfortable,  for  want  of  space 
within  ;  beside,  the  wind  coming  in  fitful  gusts  over  the  walls, 
which  were  thickly  set  with  brush,  on  the  top,  blew  the 
smoke  from  our  fires  so  densely  in  our  faces,  that  we  pre- 
ferred much  to  be  out  in  the  strong  wind. 

After  encamping,  Colonel  Thomas  had  all  the  corn  and 
oats  purchased,  that  could  be  procured  in  town  ;  but  that 
was  only  fifty  sacks  ;  which  gave  each  horse  five  pints.  He 
then  sent  the  little  schooner  over  to  St.  Joseph's  Island,  thirty- 
five  miles,  to  obtain  forage  at  the  government's  stores  there. 
She  returned,  late  in  the  night,  with  fifty  more  sacks,  all  she 
could  bring,  and  went  again.  The  men  of  the  regiment  who 
had  been  so  fond  of  bathing,  now  had  a  fine  opportunity  to 
plunge  and  dive  in  the  pure  waters  of  old  ocean  himself; 
and  hundreds  were  in  the  water,  up  and  down  the  beach,  at 


164  CORPUS  CHRISTI. 

once  ;  almost  every  one  had  his  horse  in,  too  ;  and  that  even- 
ing, the  horses  were  cleaner  than  they  had  been  for  months. 

To  most  of  the  men,  the  salt  water  was  new,  and  when 
they  went  in,  they  took  soap  with  them,  and  applied  it  to 
their  bodies,  heads,  whiskers,  &c.,  liberally  ;  and,  of  course, 
these  were  presently  covered  with  pure  grease ;  (for  in  put- 
ting soap  into  salt  water,  the  alkali,  or  potash,  of  the  soap, 
leaves  its  combination  with  the  grease  and  unites  with  the 
salt  acids  of  the  water,  and  the  grease  remains  upon  every 
article  touched  with  the  soap).  The  heads  of  some  of 
these  men  were  soon  stuck  in  a  mass,  with  the  grease  ; 
while  others  had  their  fine  whiskers,  upon  which  they 
prided  themselves,  stuck  together. — Several  were  along  the 
shore,  with  articles  of  clothing,  at  the  same  time,  endeavor- 
ing to  wash  them  with  it ;  but  all  soon  found  that  salt  water 
and  soap  did  not  work  well  together. 

Many  of  the  men  went  up  into  the  town,  and  soon  procur- 
ing plenty  of  whisky,  some  got  deeply  under  its  influence  ; 
and  returning,  made  much  noise  in  camp  at  night. 

This  little  town  of  Corpus  Christi  had  several  stores  in  it, 
with  assortments  of  goods ;  at  which,  at  first  sight,  one  was 
surprised,  and  knew  not  where,  in  such  a  place,  a  market 
could  be  found  for  them  ; — but  this  had  been  for  several  years, 
and  was  now,  the  principal  mart  of  commerce  for  those  Mexi- 
can traders,  who  had  for  some  time  driven  an  extensive  and 
profitable  business  by  smuggling  goods  into  their  country ; 
these  goods  being  rendered  so  high,  by  the  Mexican  tariff  of 
duties,  that  the  profits  of  these  traders  were  often  from  five 
hundred  to  a  thousand  per  cent. — For  these  were  the  supplies 
of  dry  goods,  chinaware,  hardware  and  almost  everything 
that  can  be  purchased  elsewhere.  But,  it  is  said,  that  this 
trade  will,  hereafter,  be  diverted  from  here  to  Point  Isabel ; 
— the  harbor,  there,  is  so  much  better,  and  it  is  also  nearer 
to  the  Rio  Grande. 

No  vessel,  drawing  more  than  three  and  a  half  feet  of 
water,  can  come  over  the  mud  flats  of  Corpus  Christi  bay. 
The  country  back  of  Corpus  Christi,  so  beautiful  and  fertile, 
along  the  Nueces,  must,  hereafter,  be  thickly  settled ;  though 


MUSQUIT  TREES.  165 

timber  will  be  somewhat  scarce;  but  those  extensive  prai- 
ries, of  eighty  miles  width,  from  the  Nueces,  back  to  San 
Antonio,  never  can,  or  will  be  settled ;  for  there  is  a  great 
scarcity  of  water  ; — in  one  place  over  which  we  came,  four 
or  five  days  since,  there  was  a  tract  of  thirty  miles,  without 
a  drop  ; — more  than  that,  there  is  a  total  want  of  timber ; 
nothing  of  that  description  growing,  save  thickets  here  and 
there,  of  musquit  bushes  ; — this  section  is  the  northern  limit, 
of  that  growth,  and  is  too  far  south  for  the  common  timber 
trees  of  the  north. 

The  citizens,  here,  had  hopes  that  the  town  would  yet  be 
of  some  note ;  but  not  much  reason  for  such  an  expectation 
could  yet  be  seen.  We  found,  in  this  place,  a  part  of  a 
company  of  Texan  Rangers  ;  the  remainder  of  which  were 
at  San  Patricio.  They  were  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Wright.  They  scoured  this  section  of  country,  guarding  it 
against  the  hostile  attacks  of  Mexican  robbers,  on  one  hand, 
and  bands  of  the  roving  Comanches  on  the  other.  They 
were  well  mounted, — in  the  employ  of  the  government,  and 
were  armed  with  rifles,  pistols,  and  bowie  knives  ; — were  ef- 
ficient and  valuable  troops,  on  this  vast  frontier.  Their  per- 
formances in  another  sphere,  at  Monterey,  have  already  been 
noticed. 

Monday,  October  26th.  This  day,  at  noon,  we  resumed  our 
march,  after  receiving  two  and  a  half  quarts  of  corn  each,  of 
that  brought  by  the  boat,  last  night,  for  our  horses.  As  she 
could  not  bring  it  in  half  the  quantity,  or  even  the  one-fourth 
part  needed,  the  colonel  ordered  the  regiment  away  into  the 
prairie,  on  the  route,  where  the  horses  could,  at  any  rate, 
get  some  grass.  We  marched  twelve  miles  due  south,  (for 
Matamoras  lies  in  that  direction  from  Corpus  Christi),  and 
encamped  at  some  water  holes,  of  tolerable  water. — We 
passed  through  thickets  of  musquit  brush- wood; — this  is  a  tree 
of  thick  and  irregular  branches,  somewhat  resembling  the  wild 
plum  tree  of  our  own  country  ; — the  wood  is  hard,  and,  in 
color,  resembles  cedar ; — the  twigs  are  all  very  strong,  and 
each  one  covered  with  keen  and  long  thorns  ; — so  many  are 
there  of  these,  that,  if  detached  from  the  twig,  and  each 


CHAPPARAL. 

weighed,  the  twig  itself  would  be  found  the  lighter; — thou- 
sands upon  thousands  of  them  are  firm  on  every  bush  ; — the 
leaf  is  like  that  of  the  locust,  in  shape,  but  very  small.  We 
found  a  great  quantity  of  this  musquit ;  from  this  place 
through  the  remainder  of  the  route,  in  Mexico,  wherever  any 
timber  could  be  seen,  musquit  was  to  be  found ; — thereafter, 
it  was,  for  the  most  part,  our  only  fuel. 

As  the  word  "  chapparal "  will  now  be  often  used,  the  rea- 
der will  understand  that  it  signifies  a  close  growth  of  this 
musquit ;  which,  from  its  innumerable  small  branches  inter- 
locking, all  covered  with  these  thorns,  joined  with  the  great 
firmness  and  rigidity  of  the  twig,  makes  a  passage  through  it 
very  difficult;  and  sometimes,  especially  when  large  bodies  of 
prickly  pear  are  growing  beneath,  absolutely  impracticable. 
In  such  a  case,  a  person  cannot  see  into  it  twenty  feet. 

Tuesday,  October  27th.  We  remained  at  the  encampment 
all  this  day,  waiting  for  the  wagon  train  ;  which  had  stopped 
at  Corpus  Christi,  for  the  arrival  of  another  load  of  corn,  by 
the  little  schooner  mentioned.  It  rained  this  day,  for  the 
first  time  in  eight  weeks,  upon  us.  We  had  been  very  for- 
tunate in  having  so  little  rain,  while,  for  so  long  a  distance, 
we  have  marched  through  the  low,  flat  section  adjoining  the 
coast ;  which  we  can  see  is  extremely  muddy,  at  times. — 
We  feared  that  the  rains  were  now  about  to  set  in,  and  that 
we  should  see  sights  with  mud,  with  horses  fed  only  on 
grass. — The  prairie,  from  this  day's  rain,  became  very  muddy. 

The  men  went  hunting ; — were  gone  but  a  little  while, 
before  they  brought  in  deer  in  numbers,  more  than  we  had 
any  use  for.  Probably  a  hundred  or  more  were  in  camp  that 
evening.  The  hunters  reported  the  prairie,  a  mile  or  two  to 
the  right  and  left,  as  alive  with  herds  of  deer ; — some  of 
them  asserted  that  a  thousand  must  have  been  in  view  at 
one  sight. 

— One  of  our  mess-mates  went  out ; — quite  a  spruce,  hand- 
some young  man  ;  very  attentive  to  his  personal  appearance 
at  all  times ; — he  returned,  having  met  a  customer  in  the 
shape  of  a  pole-cat ;  which,  after  a  battle,  routed  him.  He 
returned  to  camp,  bearing  with  him  a  strong  odor,  not  quite 


ALARM  OF  ENEMY  AHEAD.  167 

so  agreeable  as  the  fragrance  of  the  "  spicy  breezes  "  that 
'•  blow  soft  o'er  Ceylon's  isle  ; "  but,  in  fact,  so  very  repugnant 
to  the  senses,  that,  as  he  entered  the  tent,  we  got  out  as  fast 
as  possible ;  while  the  odor,  disseminating  itself  rapidly, 
brought  from  all  the  tents  near  by,  the  general  exclamation 
of  pole-cat !  pole-cat !  whew  !  faugh !  and  other  such  ex- 
pressions of  gratification,  very  much  to  the  young  man's  an- 
noyance ; — he  soon  disrobed  himself  of  his  dress,  and,  by 
every  means,  endeavored  to  free  himself  from  the  fragrance, 
that  drew  such  universal  attention. — Buffalo  ranged  here, 
sometimes,  though  we  had  not  seen  any. — A  large  skull  of 
one  found  on  the  ground  served  us  here  for  a  seat  in  the 
tent. 

Wednesday,  October  28th.  This  morning,  we  were  all  on 
the  march  at  an  early  hour,  the  first  battalion  in  advance  ; — 
the  advance  guard  about  a  mile  and  a  half  or  two  miles 
ahead,  on  the  prairie.  We  were  marching  on  in  lively  spir- 
its, when  suddenly  back,  at  full  speed,  came  an  express  from 
the  advance,  saying  that  a  large  body  of  horsemen  were  in 
front,  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle.  As  soon  as  this  message 
was  delivered  to  the  officers,  quite  a  scene  took  place. — The 
regiment  was  immediately  formed  in  column,  by  sections  of 
eight; — the  wagon  train  halted; — it  was  amusing  now  to  hear 
the  questions  and  exclamations . — Carbines  were  examined  and 
loaded  ; — the  flints  of  rifles  picked ; — but  some  had  none,  and 
were  inquiring  eagerly  of  all  around  them  for  a  spare  flint — 
others  for  cartridges.  The  great  object  of  inquiry,  in  the  car- 
bine battalion,  was  for  percussion  caps.  "  Confound  those 
deer,"  one  said,  "  I  have  used  up  all  my  caps ;  will  you  give 
me  some  caps,  Sam  ?  "  "  Haven't  got  but  few."  "Jim,  give 
me  a  cap."  "  I  can't  do  it."  "  Who  has  got  spare  caps  ?" 
"  I  have  got  some  ;  but  I  shot  all  my  cartridges  away  at  those 
d— d  geese."  "  I'll  swap  with  you."  "  Well,  good."  "  Who 
can  give  a  cartridge,"  says  another. — "Cartridges !  cartridges ! 
who  has  got  spare  cartridges  !"  said  many  in  a  breath;  while 
many  more  were  for  caps  !  caps  !  flints  !  These  were  imme- 
diately handed  around  from  the  ammunition  wagon,  and 
every  man  quickly  supplied ; — and  in  less  time  than  it  would 


168  BATTLE  OF  THE  MUSTANGS. 

take  for  the  writing,  every  gun  and  pistol  was  loaded,  car- 
bines unslung,  and  the  order  was  given, — "Attention — bat- 
talion !  Forward — move  ! "  and  on  we  went. 

The  colonel  rode  along  the  ranks  ; — "  Keep  cool,  boys ! — 
There  is  a  body  of  Mexican  cavalry  there  ! — Take  good  aim, 
and  be  sure  and  fire  low  ! — Don't  throw  away  your  shots;" — 
(at  this,  bang  !  went  a  gun  close  by  us  ; — whiz-z-z  went  the 
ball. — We  looked,  and  preacher  Smith,  of  our  company,  had 
let  his  go  in  advance,  carelessly.  This  brought  a  loud  and  se- 
vere reprimand  from  the  lieutenant-colonel) ; — in  the  mean- 
time, in  solid  body,  we  were  approaching  nearer  the  advance 
guard,  which  had  remained  halted. 

Presently,  a  heavy  cloud  of  dust  announced  the  rapid  ap- 
proach of  the  enemy. — They  came  up  near,  and  with  a 
quick  and  well  executed  movement,  wheeled  into  line,  and 
halted  ; — the  dust  blew  off,  and  they  were  plainly  to  be  seen, 
on  the  right; — when,  lo  !  they  were  a  large  herd  of  wild  horses, 
or  mustangs,  which,  with  their  numbers  and  regular  move- 
ments in  the  distance,  had  induced  the  advance  to  consider 
them  enemies; — having  been  prepared  for  this  by  the  repre- 
sentations of  the  Rangers,  back  at  Corpus  Christi,  whose 
captain  had  informed  Colonel  Thomas,  that  the  approach  of 
the  two  regiments,  our  own  and  the  Kentucky,  through 
the  wilderness,  was  known  to  the  Mexicans,  as  well  as  the 
Americans ;  and  that  he  need  not  be  surprised  if  Canales, 
one  of  the  Mexican  generals,  and  a  robber,  should  cross  the 
Rio  Grande  and  attack  the  regiment,  hoping  to  find  it  unpre- 
pared.— All  this,  we  afterward  found,  was  perfect  idle  talk  ; 
but  then  we  had  no  information  by  which  to  judge  of  its  cor- 
rectness. Hence,  the  alarm  quickly  taken,  on  the  appear- 
ance of  these  wild  horses. — These  stopped  but  a  moment, 
and  were  off  out  of  sight.  Amid  jokes  and  laughter,  we  re- 
sumed our  double  files,  took  the  caps  from  the  carbines,  and 
moved  on. 

To  the  transaction,  the  name  of  "  the  battle  of  the  mus- 
tangs" was  immediately  given,  and  continues  in  the  mind 
of  every  member  of  the  regiment  by  that  name.  We  arrived 
goon  after,  at  a  creek  running  through  a  deep  ravine.  (This 


ORDER  OF  ROLL  CALL.  169 

is  named  on  Mitchell's  map  as  Olmos  creek ;  but  the  Mexi- 
cans called  it  by  a  different  name — which,  however,  slipped 
the  author  before  recorded.) — Here  we  encamped  for  the 
night.  There  was  but  little  grass  here,  and  that  was  dead  ; 
and  our  horses  made  out  poorly. 

This  evening,  a  Mexican  rode  into  camp,  bearing  a  letter 
to  Colonel  Thomas,  from  Matamoras ;  and  he  stated,  also,  that 
there  were  Comanches  on  the  prairie  ahead. — The  country 
had  now  lost  that  rolling  appearance,  mentioned  as  being 
met  with  when  we  crossed  the  Nueces ;  it  became  more 
level,  during  this  day's  march. 

Thursday,  October  2Qth.  This  morning  we  were  soundly 
asleep,  when  the  loud  notes  of  the  bugles  rang  clear ; — 
every  soldier,  as  usual,  in  the  morning,  started,  rubbed  his  eyes 
and  yawned,  waiting  to  hear  the  orderly  sergeant's  voice,  which 
commonly  followed  the  last  note  of  the  bugle ;  after  an  interval 
of  about  one  minute,  we  heard  it;  "Eagle  Guards  !  turn  out  to 
roll  call ;"  and  the  soldiers,  half  awake,  came  out  of  the  tents 
and  took  their  places  in  line.  The  orderly  had  his  eyes  but 
half  open,  but  with  the  routine  so  perfect,  he  could  go  through 
it  asleep.  He  called  out,  "Fall  in  on  the  left!  Look  to  the 
right  and  dress  !"  When  the  line  was  formed  and  dressed,  (or 
straightened)  and  the  officers  were  in  their  places  before  it,  the 
orderly  opened  his  book  and  commenced  the  roll;  calling  the 
name  of  the  captain,  then  the  three  lieutenants,  then  the 
sergeants,  then  corporals,  then  farrier  and  blacksmith,  then 
privates,  alphabetically.  Those  who  were  present,  an- 
swered ;  if  one  had  not  got  in  line,  he  was  crossed,  and  the 
next  day  put  on  wagon  guard  for  it.  After  the  roll  was 
called,  the  sergeant  read  the  list  of  those  whose  turn  it  was 
to  serve  on  regimental  guard,  coming  alphabetically,  and 
then  the  names  of  those  whose  turn  in  the  same  way  it  was 
to  serve  on  wagon  guard.  He  then  commanded,  "  Regi- 
mental guard,  report  under  Sergeant  at  the  guard 

tents,"  at  seven  o'clock,  or  sunrise,  or  whatever  hour  might 
have  been  designated.  "  Wagon  guard,  be  at  your  posts  at 
the  wagon  at '  saddle  call.'  "  The  orderly  having  got  through, 
gave-  up  the  command  to  the  senior  company  officer  present, 


170  ORDER  OF  ROLL  CALL. 

who,  if  he  had  anything  to  say,  said  it ;  and  then  came  the 
command,  "  Company — Right  face  !  Dismissed  ! "  The  line 
broke  in  every  direction, — and  all  scattered;  one  out  of  each 
mess,  whose  day  it  was  to  cook,  went  to  getting  breakfast 
for  his  mess,  the  others  to  feeding  and  rubbing  their  horses, 
&c.,  &c.  The  regimental  guard  repaired  to  the  guard  tent. 
The  ceremony  of  guard  mounting  was  gone  through  with  and 
then  all  were  dismissed  to  breakfast.  This  done,  the  bugles 
then  sounded,  "  saddle  up,"  and  the  new  regimental  guard 
from  each  company,  again  assembled  at  the  same  place,  were 
formed  in  line  and  divided  into  the  advance  and  rearguards. 
The  wagon  guards  of  each  company  repaired  to  the  company 
wagons  ; — some  of  each  mess  of  every  company  were  employ- 
ed in  striking  and  rolling  up  the  tents,  while  others  were  pack- 
ing the  cooking  utensils  in  the  mess  bags ;  all  then  were  car- 
ried and  laid  down  by  the  wagon,  and  the  guard  loaded  them 
in.  Every  man,  then  turned  to  his  horse,  saddled  him,  and 
buckling  on  his  sword,  and  slinging  his  carbine  on  his  shoul- 
der, mounted  and  fell  in  to  the  forming  line  of  his  company, 
which  when  full  moved  off  and  took  its  place  in  the  battal- 
ion ;  both  battalions  were  in  a  few  moments  formed,  and  the 
wagons  loaded.  At  the  sound  of  the  bugle  again,  the  advance 
guard  led  out  on  the  road,  followed  by  the  battalions,  and 
those  by  the  train,  the  rear  guard  bringing  up  the  whole. 

This  was  the  way  every  morning,  from  month  to  month, 
when  on  the  march;  every  one  learned,  and  every  one  knew 
it  precisely,  for  there  was  no  alteration  save  in  the  time  of 
guard  mounting. — Thisday  the  author  was  on  the  regimental 
guard,  and  on  the  division  that  fell  into  the  rear.  We  did 
not  leave  the  encampment,  until  all  were  off  the  ground,  and 
nothing  was  left  there,  save  the  smoking  beds  of  coals,  and 
the  remnants  of  provision,  left  around,  for  which  the  wolvea 
were  waiting,  and  which  would  be  seized  by  them,  in  less 
than  fifteen  minutes  after  we  had  left. 

The  rear  guard  had  been  strengthened  this  day,  by  order 
of  the  colonel,  to  forty  men.— We  slowly  proceeded  after  the 
wagons.  The  day  was  pleasant,  but  the  scenery  was  dull ; 
the  vast  prairie  had  recently  been  run  over  by  fire,  and  the 


SIGN   OF   INDIANS.  171 

young  grass  had  not  well  sprung  up.  As  there  were  thou- 
sands of  deer  about  us,  the  hunters  from  the  line,  as  usual, 
chased  and  killed  many.  In  one  instance,  a  couple  of  them 
bounded  directly  through  the  line. 

I  rode  in  company  with  Carr  to-day  ; — he  was  mentioned 
before  as  an  old  Indian  hunter.  He  seemed  to  be  in  his  el- 
ement in  these  wild,  uninhabited  scenes ;  and,  as  J  manifes- 
ted much  curiosity  with  regard  to  the  habits  of  observations 
of  the  Indians,  enabling  them  to  track  persons  or  animals, 
he  offered  to  show  me  something  about  tracking ;  and  ob- 
taining leave  from  the  officer  in  command,  to  leave  the  line 
to  hunt,  we  pursued  our  way  together,  striking  off  into  a 
parallel  course  with  the  guard,  about  a  mile  distant,  but  on 
the  level  prairie  in  full  view. 

Many  deer  were  around  us ;  but  we  did  not  wish  to  kill 
any,  being  yet  too  far  from  camp  ; — there  were  many  signs 
of  wild  horses.  After  an  hour,  we  came  to  a  trail  running 
to  the  south-east,  across  our  route  ; — stopping  over  it,  we 
could  see  that  many  horses  had  traveled  it  that  morning ; 
farther  along,  we  came  to  another  running  the  same  course. 
I  was  passing  over  it ;  but  he, looking  down,  said  "Indians! " 
and  shewed  me,  as  we  dismounted,  the  faint  outline  of  a 
foot,  seen  Dniy,  by  the  horses'  tracks,  on  the  hard  earth,  being 
a  little  dimmed,  and  still  so  little  that  it  was  some  time  be- 
fore I  could  perceive  it.  He  traced  it  out  with  his  knife ; 
but  still,  I  was  doubtful ; — he  then  rode  along  the  trail,  and 
called  me  again ;  but  I  could  see  nothing  distinctly  enough  to 
judge  from : — he  rode  along  further,  and  there  was  a  little 
pond  hole  of  water ;  and  in  the  margin,  in  the  mud,  were 
the  fresh  tracks  of  moccasined  feet,  in  abundance , — enough 
of  them  where  they  had  dismounted  ;  and  the  water  was  still 
muddy  where  their  horses  had  been  in. — In  the  mud  around 
this  pond,  too,  he  showed  me  the  tracks  of  deer,  of  buffalo, 
of  large  rabbits,  of  wild  horses,  of  wolves,  and  to  wind  up 
the  whole,  the  round  tracks  of  a  panther. 

I  had  got  off  my  horse  to  examine  them,  but  he  called  my 
attention,  saying  that  he  did  not  much  like  the  appearance 
of  a  large  clump  of  musquit  bushes  f;  rther  to  our  left,  for 


172  SCATTERING  COMANCHES. 

he  would  not  be  surprised  if  those  d — d  Indians  were  about 
there ;  and,  as  the  regiment  were  nearly  out  of  sight  in  the 
distance,  that  we  had  better  join  them.  I  mounted,  and  we 
rode  on  towards  it.  We  stopped,  however,  in  a  little  dis- 
tance, to  shoot  the  largest  rattlesnake  we  had  ever  seen,  and 
then  pushed  ahead.  We  crossed  two  more  trails,  parallel 
with  each  other,  and  but  a  short  distance  apart.  These, 
Can-  said,  were  of  buffalo,  which  always  made  them  in  that 
way  ;  and  that  it  was  often  difficult  to  distinguish  them  from 
those  of  Indians,  when,  from  rain,  or  any  other  cause,  the 
slight  track  could  not  be  seen. 

We  saw  one  of  the  men  coming  in  pretty  rapidly  from  the 
left,  farther  out  than  we  had  been  ; — he  was  one  of  the  hun- 
ters from  the  second  battalion ; — he  rode  up  to  us,  and  said, 
that  he  believed  there  were  Indians  out  there. — Carr  laugh- 
ed, and  asked  him  why  he  thought  so.  He  said  that  he  was 
riding  out  farther  than  the  rest,  and  had  got  entirely  out  of 
view  of  the  regiment,  wanting  to  see  some  wild  horses ;  and 
over  the  prairie  he  saw  two  horsemen,  far  off,  that  he  thought 
were  some  of  our  boys ;  but  they  went  very  fast,  and  did 
not  appear  to  be  chasing  deer  or  game,  for  they  rode  up  to  a 
bunch  of  musquit  bushes,  and  came  out  again,  and  there 
were  three  of  them  then  ; — and  he  saw  another  beyond  them, 
and  the  idea  struck  him  they  were  Indians,  watching  the 
movements  of  the  regiment,  and  he  put  out  at  full  speed,  and 
seeing  us  as  he  came  in,  he  rode  up.  They  acted  strange,  he 
thought,  if  they  were  any  of  our  boys  ;  but  they  were  off  so 
far  he  could  not  see  plainly.  Carr  asked  him  if  he  was 
afraid  of  them.  "  No,"  he  said,  "  but  if  they  were  Indians, 
there  was  no  telling  how  many  there  were  of  them."  We 
told  him  of  the  tracks  we  had  seen,  and  he  was  confirmed 
in  his  opinion. 

Although  there  were  plenty  of  tracks  of  wild  horses,  we 
saw  none  of  these ;  they  having  probably  taken  the  alarm 
at  the  sight  of  the  body  of  the  regiment,  and  put  out.  The 
rear  guard  was  now  in  full  view,  and  our  companion  left  us 
to  join  his  battalion.  We  continued  along  parallel  with  the 
guard,  for  some  time,  and  shortly  after  joined  it  again.  The 


MEXICAN   TRADERS.  173 

day  was  very  hot,  and  the  road  was  dusty ; — we  felt  the 
want  of  water.  At  noon,  we  came  to  a  creek  of  clear  wa- 
ter, and  rode  to  it,  to  obtain  some ;  but  we  were  disappointed, 
for  it  was  salt ;  so  much  so,  that  even  our  horses  would  not 
drink  it.  We  rode  on,  some  ten  miles  further,  and  we  saw 
the  regiment  on  a  small  hill  before  us,  drawn  up  in  columns. 
We  found,  that  being  about  to  encamp  there,  that  word  had 
been  received  from  the  advance,  that  they  were  in  view  of  a 
Mexican  encampment,  whose  number  was  unknown. — All 
were  ordered  to  their  saddles  again,  and  the  column  in  a  trot 
moved  ahead.  We  wished  to  go  too,  but  could  not,  having  to 
protect  and  bring  up  the  rear  of  the  train. — We  proceeded  on 
slowly,  and  about  two  more  miles  brought  us  in  view  of  the 
regiment  again,  appearing  very  peaceable,  and  raising  the 
lines  of  tents.  We  pushed  ahead  and  entered  the  en- 
campment. 

On  the  right  of  this  were  a  drove  of  sixty  or  eighty  mules* 
and  horses,  all  packed  with  hides,  blankets,  and  other  arti- 
cles ;  these  were  guarded  by  about  twenty-five  armed  Mexi- 
cans. Every  one  of  these  had  a  frightened,  anxious  look. 
The  captain  of  the  band  was  before  the  field  officers,  for  ex- 
amination.— One  of  our  men,  who  could  speak  Spanish  flu- 
ently, was  the  interpreter. — The  Mexican  stated,  that  his 
party  was  from  the  Rio  Grande  ;  that  he  was  going  to 
Corpus  Christi  to  trade ;  that  his  men  were  armed  to  de- 
fend themselves  and  their  goods  from  the  Comanches,  whose 
war  parties  he  had  learned  were  on  the  route. — That  all  this 
was  true,  was  apparent  from  circumstances  ;  and  he  was  im- 
mediately released,  and  left  the  officers,  touching  his  hat  and 
saying,  adios !  sefiores,  (farewell,  gentlemen).  He  directed 
his  men  to  go  on  to  the  next  water,  the  last  that  we  had 
passed,  (where  the  regiment  had  been  about  to  encamp).  Our 
men,  however,  would  not  let  them  go  so  easily  ;  they  wanted 
to  trade,  and  the  Mexicans  were  very  willing. — One  bought 
a  horse,  that  had  been  caught  from  the  prairie,  a  few  days 
before;  another  purchased  a  Mexican  blanket,  with  its  varie- 
gated colors  ;  others  bought  lariats ;  and  others  were  much 
taken  with  the  enormous  spurs  used  by  the  traders,  the  row- 


174  WILD   HORSES. 

els  being  two  inches  or  more  in  diameter,  and  they  gave 
their  own  in  place,  which  were  freely  taken. 

The  regiment,  in  coming  on,  had  obtained  a  much  better 
encampment  for  grass  and  water,  than  the  one  at  which  they 
were  about  to  stop. 

After  the  Mexicans  had  gone,  the  men  of*the  advance 
were  telling,  round  their  suppers,  of  their  day's  march,  and 
according  to  their  account,  they  had  a  lively  time  all  day. 
When  they  had  marched  out  from  camp  this  morning  about 
five  miles,  being  two  miles  ahead  of  the  regiment,  they 
came  suddenly  upon  between  two  and  three  thousand  wild 
horses  ;  (the  number  being  said  by  all  to  be  more  than  three 
times  those  in  the  regiment.)  These  upon  their  appearance, 
wheeled,  and  moved  round  in  solid  bodies,  and  finally,  and 
with  great  celerity  formed  a  line ;  one  flank  of  which  was 
near  the  road  in  front,  and  the  other  was  extended  so  far  on 
the  horizon  to  the  right,  that  it  could  not  be  distinctly  seen. 

They  remained  in  this  position  for  some  moments,  holding 
their  heads  high  to  examine  the  guard  ;  they  then,  by  wheel- 
ing in  large  bodies,  broke  and  left  for  the  vast  open  range  to  the 
north-west,  going  off  with  a  cloud  of  dust  in  their  rear,  which 
hid  them  from  the  view.  As  they  wheeled,  the  extreme  right 
was  brought  near  to  the  guard,  who  were  unable  to  control 
themselves,  but  dashed  out  of  the  ranks,  and  chargM^^pon 
them;  broke  the  regular  order  of  one  of  the  bodies,  confused, 
and  scattered  it.  They  shot  two  of  them,  and  caught  a 
third,  as  he  endeavored  to  break  through  the  line ; — they 
tried  to  lead  him,  but  he  was  unmanageable,  and  they  re- 
leased him.  These  horses  were  of  all  colors  and  sizes,  from 
the  patriarchal  old  steed,  that  led  the  van,  down  to  the  small- 
est colt. 

In  an  hour  or  two  more,  the  guard  came  upon  a  pack  of 
large  wolves,  and  immediately  gave  chase  to  them ;  these 
scattered;  soon  after,  all  the  guard  returned,  save  the  chief 
bugler  of  the  reg't;  he  was  seen  in  the  distance,  rapidly  in 
chase,  until  he  disappeared  from  view.  He  Returned  in 
a  couple  of  hours,  having,  in  his  excitement  and  eager- 
ness to  catch  the  wolf  he  was  after,  lost  his  cloak  from  the 


.'-:*  WOLVES.  175 

seat  of  his  saddle,  and  his  hat  from  his  head;  and  bareheaded 
in  the  hot  sun,  he  came  back  at  a  more  steady  pace ;  and  when 
he  again  got  up,  he  was  venting  many  exclamations  against 
all  wolves  in  general,  and  the  one  he  had  chased  in  particu- 
lar. After  this  excitement  of  the  chases  had  died  away,  the 
guard  came  in  view  of  the  Mexicans  before  mentioned,  and 
not  knowing  their  numbers,  or  intentions,  were  very  cautious 
in  approaching  them.  The  Mexicans  were  disposed  to  be 
friendly,  and  struck  their  breasts,  and  said,  Amigos  !  Amigos  a 
los  Americanos  I  (Friends  !  Friends  to  Americans.)  The  lieu- 
tenant sent  back  an  express  to  the  colonel,  but  then  ventured 
nearer,  and  finding  them  friendly,  all  the  guard  sat  down  to 
eat  with  them  ; — while  the  regiment  behind,  advancing  rap- 
idly up,  believing  the  guard  about  to  be  cut  to  pieces, — 
found  them  at  their  supper. 

— The  Mexicans  departed  ;  the  guard  was  assembled  at  the 
guard  tent,  the  first  relief  was  posted,  and  the  rest  of  us,  as 
well  as  the  body  of  the  regiment,  lay  down  to  sleep. — I  was 
placed  on  the  second  relief,  and  stood  from  eleven  o'clock  till 
two.  My  station  \vas  along  the  edge  of  a  high  bluff  looking 
down  on  the  creek  below ;  on  the  next  post  to  me  was  Carr, 
and  we  violated  the  strict  discipline,  so  far,  as  to  get  together 
at  the  junction  of  our  stations,  and  have  a  long  talk.  He 
told  me  the  conclusion  of  the  tale,  he  was  relating  with  re- 
gard to  himself;  (which  the  reader  will  remember  on  page 
65). — The  Indian  there  mentioned,  fired,  but  hit  the  tree ;  sev- 
eral more  came  to  his  assistance,  and  Carr  was  taken  pris- 
oner, and  kept  tied  several  weeks  ;  but  after  a  while  was  al- 
lowed some  liberty,  when  he  made  his  escape  from  them,  and 
traveled  one  hundred  and  ninety  miles  in  six  nights,  conceal- 
ing himself  in  the  day  time,  and  got  into  the  settlements  on 
the  Upper  Mississippi ; — he  never  returned  to  his  Indian 
friends,  but  set  out  for  the  Mexican  war. 

After  finishing  our  conversation,  he  walked  his  round, 
and  I  mine.  The  night  was  still  and  quiet;  nothing  could 
be  heard,  save  the  neighing  of  the  wild  horses  out  on  the 
prairie,  which  seemed  to  have  come  up  pretty  near  us,  and 
occasionally  the  concert  of  a  pack  of  wolves.  About  one 


176  EXCURSIONS  OF  COMANCHES. 

o'clock,  we  heard  a  gun  in  the  distance,  from  the  Mexican 
traders'  camp,  then  another,  and  shortly  after,  two  more. — 
Probably  they  had  seen  the  Comanches  round  them;  they 
would  not  fire  without.  It  was  a  singular  fact  that  here,  in 
a  space  of  a  few  miles,  in  a  perfect  wilderness,  without  a 
habitation  to  the  north,  nearer  than  seventy-five  miles  ;  to 
the  south,  of  over  a  hundred ;  to  the  east,  towards  the  coast, 
none ;  to  the  north-west,  none  for  several  hundred ;  there 
should  be  three  distinct  bodies  of  men,  of  three  different  ra- 
ces, of  three  different  languages,  manners,  and  customs  ;  and 
each  of  the  three,  in  a  state  of  warfare  with  both  of  the 
others, — Americans,  Mexicans,  and  Comanches. 

These  bands,  and  in  some  instances,  large  forces  of  the 
warlike,  savage  tribe  of  Comanches,  had  infested  and  over- 
run this  whole  section,  between  the  Nueces  and  the  Rio 
Grande,  for  all  the  season ;  had,  while  our  troops  were  at 
Camargo,  crossed  the  Rio  Grande,  between  that  and  Mata- 
moras,  in  large  numbers,  and  made  extensive  depredations 
in  the  vicinity  of  Mier ;  in  one  case,  appearing  near  the  town 
directly  after  our  troops  had  left  it.  They  had  not  molested 
these,  but  in  one  instance ;  when  a  skirmish  took  place  be- 
tween two  companies  of  Texas  rangers,  under  captains  Gil- 
laspie  and  McCullough,  and  a  large  party  of  the  Indians,  in 
which  several  of  them  were  killed. 

A  treaty  had  been  made,  in  the  month  of  June  previous,  by 
General  Butler  of  South  Carolina,  and  Colonel  Lewis  of  Ten- 
nessee, commissioners  for  that  purpose,  with  this  tribe,  and 
all  the  tribes  on  this  frontier,  in  general  council,  assembled 
on  the  upper  waters  of  the  Colorado,  in  Texas.  But  this 
treaty  the  Comanches  had  not  well  kept. 

Three  days  after  we  had  passed  along  here,  a  part}'  of 
traders  endeavored  to  go  back  to  Corpus  Christi,  on  our  trail : 
they  were  attacked  by  this  same  body  of  them,  then  hanging 
round  us,  and  only  saved  by  a  precipitous  retreat,  and  the 
speed  of  their  horses. 

Friday,  October  3Qth.  Wishing  to  be  on  the  advance  guard 
this  day,  the  author  in  place  of  another,  reported  again,  and 
succeeded.  He  had  managed  to  keep  a  few  oats  until  this 


CAPTURE  OF  A  WILD  HORSE.  177 

time,  and  they  were  of  much  benefit  to  his  horse,  for  it  was 
hard  upon  the  horses  now  ;  long  marches  from  water  to 
water ; — having  been  always  accustomed  to  grain,  they  could 
not  do  without  it,  and  keep  up  their  strength  and  vigor  ; 
besides  the  grass  was  much  of  it  dead,  and  of  but  little  help  to 
them.  There  is  a  short,  fine,  silky  grass,  through  this  prairie 
wilderness  in  places,  called  musquit ; — this,  even  when 
dead,  from  the  great  amount  of  seed  it  bears,  is  fine  for 
horses ;  but  there  was  none  of  this  at  some  of  the  places  of 
encampment,  and  many  of  the  horses  of  the  regiment  were 
already  showing  the  effect  of  their  want  of  proper  food. 

The  advance,  this  day,  consisted  of  twenty-four  men,  a  ser- 
geant, corporal  and  bugler,  commanded  by  a  lieutenant ;  and 
we  were  accompanied  by  Major  Waterhouse.  We  were  on 
the  march  at  an  early  hour. — A  fog  rested  over  the  surface 
of  the  prairie;  but  it  soon  passed  away,  and  the  day's  march 
was  pleasant;  but  fresh  water  was  scaice,  though  salt  was 
abundant.  Thousands  of  deer,  as  before  ; — many  herds  of 
wild  spotted  goats,  that  we  had  not  seen  previously,  and  many 
wild  horses,  that,  drawing  themselves  up,  surveyed  us  for  a 
few  moments,  and  then  went  away  with  the  fleetness  of  the 
wind. — One,  a  gray,  being  visible  in  the  distance,  Christian, 
one  of  the  men,  obtained  permission  to  give  him  a  chase ; — 
this  he  did  in  good  style : — he  got  round  him  unperceived 
so  that  when  the  horse  saw  him,  in  running  directly  from  him, 
he  came  towards  us.  Our  boys  seeing  him  a  long  ways  off, 
coming,  spurred  their  horses  out,  and  forming  a  wide  semi- 
circle, surrounded,  confused  and  turned  him  about,  and 
crowded  upon  him. — He  fought  well,  biting  with  teeth,  and 
giving  kicks  with  his  hind,  and  blows  with  his  fore  feet ; 
— he  could  do  but  little,  though,  against  such  a  set  of  dare 
devils  ;  who,  after  a  desperate  struggle  on  his  part,  in  spite 
of  his  snorts  and  blows,  his  rapid  kicking  and  biting,  jump- 
ed at  him  like  so  many  blood-hounds,  and  soon  got  a  slip- 
noose  over  his  neck,  and  a  turn  around  his  head ; — and  then, 
tying  him  to  two  strong  horses,  they  whipped  him  and  forced 
him  into  line. — He  never,  for  a  moment,  discontinued  his 
efforts  to  regain  his  liberty. — He  was  a  very  good  looking, 
12 


178  HUMAN  SKELETONS. 

middle  sized  stud,  but  had  one  of  his  eyes  injured,  probably 
by  fighting. 

While  engaged  in  the  frolic  with  him,  the  boys  saw  sev- 
eral human  skeletons  lying  on  the  green  sward  around ; — • 
fragments  of  clothing  were  near.  One  of  the  men  dis- 
mounted, picked  up  a  skull,  with  a  joke,  tossed  it  up  to  an- 
other, and  picked  up  a  second ;  and,  each  with  one,  came 
on  the  lines  of  the  guard  again.  One  of  the  skulls  had 
been  cut  through  above  the  left  ear,  with  a  narrow  and  thick 
tomahawk,  that  had  raised  the  bone,  making  the  incision 
broad  ; — the  other  was  shot  directly  through  the  head.  Who 
these  were,  and  when  they  were  killed,  afforded  much  con- 
versation to  some  of  the  men,  who  reasoned  and  argued 
upon  their  different  views  of  the  matter,  with  as  much  so- 
briety and  earnestness  as  though  they  had  data  from  which  to 
form  an  opinion.  These  finally  concluded  that  the  larger 
one  was  the  head  of  Morgan,  the  anti-mason. — The  horse 
was  forced  along  several  miles,  and  then  turned  loose,  and 
he  bounded  away  to  enjoy  his  freedom  again. 

We  passed,  occasionally,  pretty,  clear  lakes,  but  at  each 
one  failed  in  getting  drinking  water ; — all  were  salt. — After 
marching  about  twenty-five  miles,  the  advance  halted,  upon 
a  narrow  ridge  of  higher  land,  lying  between  two  extensive 
lakes,  also  salt ; — but  on  the  ridge  was  a  pon4~hole,  over- 
grown with  rushes  and  moss.  In  this  was  fresh  water ; 
which,  on  being  strained,  was  drinkable,  but  unpleasant  to 
the  taste. — We  were  rejoiced,  however,  to  find  it. 

The  regiment  shortly  came  up ;  the  train  and  rear  guard 
followed ;  the  camp  was  laid  off,  and  soon  horses  unsaddled 
and  "  lariatted  "  out  to  grass,  tents  up,  fires  burning,  &c. 

At  sunset,  we  saw  several  horsemen  coming  in,  far  over  the 
prairie,  on  our  trail ; — we  examined  them  closely,  but  were 
agreeably  surprised,  on  their  nearer  approach,  to  find  them 
a  number  of  our  men,  who  had  been  left  behind  from  place 
to  place,  sick ; — some  as  far  back  as  Little  Rock,  on  the  Ar- 
kansas. Accompanying  them,  was  the  assistant  surgeon, 
Dr.  Stout,  who  had  attended  to  them  all  along,  having  had 
a  laborious  time.  We  were  rejoiced  to  meet  the  doctor  and 


LOST   HUNTERS.  179 

his  patients  recovered. — (There  were  now  but  one  or  two 
yet  behind,  and  these  afterwards  joined  us  at  different 
places.) 

One  man  of  our  company,  McPherson,  and  one  of  Cap- 
tain Gillaspie's,  had  been  missing  for  two  days,  since  they 
had  left  the  lines  to  hunt  on  the  prairie.  Much  concern  was 
felt  about  them ;  which,  this  evening,  was  relieved  by  their 
coming  up  together. — McPherson  gave  a  singular  account  of 
his  being  lost.  He  had  chased  off  a  herd  of  wild  goats,  en- 
deavoring to  kill  one,  when  he  suddenly  came  upon  a  herd 
of  wild  horses  grazing. — These  galloped  around,  formed  their 
line  in  a  moment,  and,  as  usual,  held  up  their  heads  to  ex- 
amine him.  He,  wishing  to  get  nearer,  spurred  his  horse  di- 
rectly for  the  centre  of  the  line ; — when  near  the  horses 
there,  they  turned  and  ran,  the  two  flanks  following  ;  but  as 
the  centre  ran  ahead,  in  the  cloud  of  dust,  the  flanks  closed 
in  behind  and  around  him;  and  he  being  forced  to  keep  up, 
was  not  able  to  get  out  for  some  time ; — and  when  he  did 
succeed  in  clearing  himself  from  them,  his  horse  was  reeking 
with  sweat  and  covered  with  dust,  and  he  himself  was  en- 
tirely ignorant  of  the  course  he  had  come  ;  for  the  sun  was 
not  out,  the  sky  being  cloudy ;  the  prairie  appearing  in  all 
directions  the  same  vast  level  scene,  save  the  dust  from 
the  herd  of  horses  in  the  distance. — He  went  back  on  the 
trail,  got  confused,  and  wandered  around.  Shortly  after,  see- 
ing a  distant  horseman,  he  rode  towards  him,  and  found  him 
to  be  one  of  Gillaspie's  men ;  who,  hunting,  was  also  lost. 
These  two  slept  during  the  night  in  the  grass,  without  fire ; 
for,  having  seen  numerous  tracks  of  Indians,  they  were  fear- 
ful of  building  one,  which,  in  these  prairies,  would  show  for 
many  miles  around.  They  wandered  all  the  next  day,  pay- 
ing no  attention  to  the  horses,  deer,  &c.,  surrounding  them, 
only  anxious  to  find  the  road.  They  slept,  that  night, 
as  before ;  and  in  the  morning  about  ten  o'clock,  to  their 
great  joy,  struck  the  road  about  twenty-five  miles  back,  or  a 
little  beyond  our  last  night's  encampment; — they  then  rode 
on  and  came  up, — hungry  and  exhausted. 

One  man  by  the  name  of  Smith  died  this  day,  while  on  the 


180  SALT  MARSHES. 

march,  in  the  hospital  wagon.  He  had  been  sick  for  several 
days.  During  the  night  another  one  died,  Rogers,  of  Captain 
Haynes'  company. — They  were  both  buried  this  morning; — 
(No  material  could  be  procured  for  coffins  ;  so  their  graves 
were  dug  deep,  and  they  were  laid  out  in  them,  wrapped  in 
their  blankets,  and  barrel  staves  were  placed  closely  above 
them.) 

Saturday,  October  31st.  This  day's  march  of  about  twenty- 
eight  miles,  was  through  a  continued  succession  of  salt  lakes 
and  marshes  of  immense  extent,  with  here  and  there  a  rise 
of  land  between.  These  marshes,  we  observed,  on  the  east, 
at  a  distance  of  ten  or  twelve  miles,  were  bounded,  in  one 
part,  by  a  range  of  lofty  hills  ;  these,  however,  did  not  con- 
tinue far ;  they  appeared  to  rise  out  of  the  marsh  itself. — On 
the  lakes,  and  overflowed  extent  of  marsh,  were  innumera- 
ble flocks  of  pelicans,  swans,  geese,  cranes  and  ducks ; — on 
the  ranges  of  higher  land,  were  many  herds  of  wild  horses, 
deer  and  goats.  The  grass  on  these  ridges  was  taller  than 
we  had  ever  seen,  rising — in  many  places  thick — higher  than 
we  could  reach,  while  on  our  horses. 

These  marshes  were  difficult  for  us  to  cross ; — still  more 
difficult  for  the  wagon  train.  We  were^jbliged  to  make  long 
circuits  to  find  crossing  places  over  them,  and  yet  longer 
ones  to  get  round  the  lakes.  The  water  on  the  marshes 
was  from  one  to  two  feet  deep  for  miles  in  succession,  cov- 
ered with  long  rushes ;  in  the  centre  a  deeper  lagoon  wound 
its  way.  In  some  of  these  lagoons  was  a  considerable  cur- 
rent running  to  the  east; — water  extremely  salt,  and,  in  most 
places,  from  four  to  five  feet  deep.  Through  these  marshes 
we  wound  our  way.  It  was  splash — splash — splash — splash, 
before  and  in  the  rear.  We,  as  well  as  our  horses,  suffered 
much  inconvenience  from  the  want  of  fresh  water. — That, 
last  night,  was  so  unpleasant,  that  neither  men  nor  horses 
drank  much. — This  day  not  a  drop  could  be  found  until  late, 
when  we  halted  on  a  little  hill,  in  a  hollow  of  which,  eleva- 
ted above  the  level  of  the  marshes,  was  found  a  pond  hole 
of  brackish  water,  small,  and  overgrown  with  rusheu  and 
grass.  This  was  enough  to  give  us  and  our  horses  a  drink, 


WANT   OF  FRESH   WATER.  18. 

but  not  sufficient  for  the  night. — Scouts  were  sent  out,  in  all 
directions,  to  find  more  ;  and,  after  two  hours'  delay,  they 
reported  there  was  wood  and  good  grass  at  a  point  of  timber 
about  six  miles  off,  just  discernible  on  the  horizon,  and  a 
pond  hole  of  "  salty  "  water  about  two  miles  from  it,  and 
that  this  was  the  best  chance  for  us  to  encamp  for  the 
night. 

We  immediately  commenced  the  march  for  the  timber, 
where  we  arrived  about  an  hour  by  sun,  and  encamped. 
The  grass  was  tall,  though  of  an  inferior  quality ; — plenty 
of  oak  wood,  (the  last  we  saw). — The  water  brought  from 
the  hole,  two  miles  off,  was  unfit  for  use ;  it  made  us  more 
thirsty,  to  drink  it.  Many  of  the  men  dug  holes  in  the  lower 
parts  of  the  prairie  around  the  camp,  but  the  water  that 
rose  in  them  was  worse  than  that  of  the  pond — more  salt. 
— The  general  conversation  that  evening  was  about  water  : 
one  was  relating  the  account  of  a  spring  of  cool  clear  water 
in  his  father's  yard  ;  another  was  speaking  of  an  old  well  at 
his  home,  that  never  gave  out ;  while  another  had  much  to 
say  about  a  spring  branch  that  run  through  his  yard  in  Ten- 
nessee ;  while  others  spoke  of  the  "  Big  Spring  "  at  Memphis, 
&c.,  &c.  Some  of  the  men  made  coffee  of  the  salt  water, 
but  that  was  worse ; — they  could  not  swallow  a  drop  of  it. 
— In  the  wagon  train,  it  was  now  found,  there  were  two  bar- 
rels of  liquor. — Nobody  knew  who  the  owner  was ;  but  it 
was  for  sale,  and  many  bought,  and  mixed  it  in  the  water. 
This  made  it  more  palatable ;  in  fact,  so  much  more,  that 
many  of  the  men  drank  so  freely  of  it,  that  they  were  much 
elevated  under  its  influence. 

Sunday,  November  1st.  The  horses  all  looked  badly  this 
morning.  For  the  want  of  forage  they  were  getting  weak, 
and  moved  in  a  dull,  sleepy  way.  Some  gave  o\it  yesterday 
on  the  march,  and  died ;  three  or  four  died  last  night ;  and 
this  morning,  immediately  after  roll  call,  one  came  stagger- 
ing through  the  tents  of  our  company,  and  fell  over  on  one 
of  them,  kicked  and  died.  A  man  was  sleeping  in  the  tent, 
having  laid  down  after  the  roll  call ;  and  the  dying  horse,  in 
his  fall,  knocked  it  down  and  rolled  over  on  it ;  and  how  it 


182  BRINY  LAKE. 

happened  that  he  did  not  fall  on  the  sleeping  man,  we  could 
not  see. — As  the  dying  animal  came  over  on  the  tent,  the 
man  got  from  under  the  canvass  on  the  other  side,  with 
remarkable  quickness,  and  with  a  look  of  perfect  wildness, 
at  being  so  aroused;  which  was  not  diminished  as  he  saw 
the  horse  that  had  occasioned  it. 

We  were  on  the  march  this  morning  very  early.  The  route 
of  the  day  was  like  that  of  the  day  before,  though  we  passed 
through  not  so  much  marsh,  but  went  by  more  lakes.  One 
of  these  was  very  large  and  clear,  and  we  hoped  to  find  it 
of  fresh  water; — for  the  thirst  of  ourselves,  as  well  as  of 
our  horses,  now  was  getting  great.  We  rode  to  it; — the 
shore  was  of  sand,  but  the  water,  evaporating,  had  left  a 
crust  of  dirty  salt,  from  two  to  three  inches  in  thickness,  all 
around.  This  was  also  the  case  in  the  water:  every  step 
the  horses  took,  broke  up  the  incrusted  salt  on  the  bottom. 
The  water  itself  was  a  solution  of  it ; — held  as  much  as  it  was 
possible  that  it  could  do ; — consequently  was,  literally, "  as  salt 
as  brine."  (This  article,  salt,  we  had  often  needed  before  this, 
and  did  often  need  it  afterwards  ;  but,  in  this  section  of  coun- 
try, there  was  "  too  much  of  a  good  thing.")  We  soon  turn- 
ed away  from  this  lake  ;  which,  though  large  and  clear,  was 
not  visited  by  any  water  fowl,  being  entirely  too  salt  for  their 
taste.  Neither  is  it  probable  that  there  was  a  fish,  muscle, 
crab,  or  any  living  thing  in  it ; — we  saw  no  trace  of  such. 

We  went  on  six  miles  further,  and  came  to  two  lakes,  that 
had  many  flocks  of  ducks  and  geese  upon  their  surface,  which 
gave  us  reason  to  hope  that  they  were  fresh.  We  tried  the 
first, — salt ;  too  much  so  swallow  well ; — rode  to  the  other, 
about  a  mile  :  this  could  be  drank  by  those  as  thirsty  as 
ourselves.  Our  horses  drank  it  freely. — The  encampment 
was  immediately  pitched  near  the  first  one,  where  plenty  of 
dry  musquit  wood  was  on  a  little  rise,  and  pretty  good 
grass ;  and  the  way  our  tired  and  hungry  horses  ate  this 
•''  was  a  sin." 

— The  prairie  now  became  more  rolling,  but,  as  yet,  little 
timber;  oak  timber  having  become  smaller  and  more  scrub- 


FRESH   WATER.  183 

by  for  a  long  way  back,  had  now  entirely  disappeared,  and 
musquit  taken  its  place. 

Monday,  November  2d.  We  commenced  the  march  of  the 
day  early.  The  officers  calculated  that  the  river  called  the 
Sal  Colorado  (pron.  Sal  Colorou]  was  about  four  or  five  miles 
ahead,  when  we  started ;  but  we  marched  some  twenty-six 
or  twenty-eight  miles,  and  saw  nothing  of  it.  After  travel- 
ing some  four  or  five  miles,  we  came  to  a  lake  of  good  wa- 
ter ; — this  was  truly  refreshing.  The  succeeding  lakes  were 
alternately  salt  and  fresh,  yet  all  looking  alike,  and  in  the 
same  kind  of  soil : — there  were  many  of  them.  About  noon 
we  struck  the  chapparal,  and  after  that  saw  no  more  of  the 
extensive  views  of  prairie  and  marsh. — This  chapparal  was 
close  and  thick  of  musquit ;  but  under  it  was  a  closer  growth 
of  prickly  pear,  growing  up  some  eight  and  ten  feet  high, 
(see  prickly  pear,  plate,  page  356;)  every  separate  plant  twelve 
or  fourteen  feet  across  ; — each  large  leaf  covered  with  thou- 
sands of  needles,  that  penetrated  us  and  our  horses,  and  re- 
maining always  in  the  wound,  being  by  no  means  easy  to 
draw  out. — A  new  kind  of  grass  began  to  be  plenty.  This 
bore  burs,  each  one  with  five  points,  strong  and  sharp. 

The  regiment  was  halted  at  two  P.  M.,  while  scouts  were 
sent  out  to  examine  the  country.  We  remained  about  two 
hours,  in  the  intervals  between  the  large  tracts  of  this  im- 
penetrable chapparal. — The  appearance  of  the  country  had 
changed  entirely. — For  many  weeks,  and  even  upon  this 
morning,  had  we  been  in  wide,  open  grounds ;  and  although 
for  several  days  in  the  salt  marshes,  yet  these  were  open, 
and  we  had  plenty  of  room;  but  this  afternoon  we  were 
crowded  up  in  narrow  intervals,  with  thorns  on  every  side  ; 
the  close  musquit  being  loaded  with  them,  and  the  vast 
quantity  of  prickly  pear  covered  with  the  same ; — if  we  found 
a  place  of  grass  large  enough  to  lay  down,  we  bounced  up 
again  quicker  than  we  threw  ourselves  down  :  for  the  grass 
was  full  of  these  burs,  that  were  keener  than  needles. — 
One  good  thing,  though,  we  found :  fresh  water  in  abun- 
dance, in  the  lakes  spoken  of. 

After  being  ordered  to  resume  our  march,  we  passed  on 


184  CHARGE  ON   WHISKY    BARRELS. 

about  six  miles,  and  came  out  of  the  "  d-v-l-sh  chapparal," 
as  the  men  already  called  it,  into  a  pretty  prairie  of  a  thou- 
sand or  two  acres,  covered  with  a  close  growth  of  the  short, 
fine,  silky  musquit  grass,  mentioned  before,  not  more  than 
four  inches  long,  and  dead  at  that, — completely  brown.  One 
who  had  never  seen  this  sort  of  grass,  would  have  thought 
this  place  a  poor  chance  for  horses ;  but  it  was,  even  dead, 
much  better  than  the  long,  green,  coarse  grass  mentioned  : 
for  this  dead  musquit  was  heavy  with  seed.  If  we  could  have 
got  plenty  of  this,  our  horses  would  have  done  pretty  well, 
but  it  was  only  occasionally  that  we  got  it. — Several  more 
horses  died  to-day  from  weakness. 

We  had  seen  but  very  little  game  all  day, — not  a  single 
wild  horse,  and  very  few  deer;  but  to-night,  to  our  great 
gratification,  we  saw  several  cattle,  wild  to  be  sure,  but  we 
knew  that  these  were  herded.  We  put  out  after  them,  and 
killed  four  or  five  ;  for  our  stock  of  provisions  was  running 
out,  and  for  four  days  back  had  we  been  on  half  rations. 
The  minor  articles,  such  as  coffee,  sugar,  rice,  candles,  &c., 
had  given  out  entirely.  There  were,  this  night,  two  days' 
rations  of  meat  and  bread  in  the  train. 

In  the  evening  quite  a  row  took  place.  Many  of  the  regi- 
ment had  been  talking  over  the  legality  and  expediency 
of  hauling  in  the  train  two  barrels  of  whisky,  to  the  exclu- 
sion of  two  barrels  of  pork.  This  had  been,  however,  silently 
spoken  of;  but  this  evening,  after  dark,  a  large  crowd  took 
their  canteens  and  proceeded  to  the  wagon,  and  took  posses- 
sion of  the  barrels ; — knocked  in  the  heads,  and  supplied 
every  one  that  wanted  with  whisky,  until  it  was  all  gone. 

Tuesday,  November  3d.  The  regiment  was  on  the  march 
at  an  early  hour.  The  face  of  country,  this  day,  was  alter- 
nately of  prairie  and  chapparal, — prairie  mostly,  until  near 
the  Sal  Colorado,  which  we  struck  at  one,  P.  M.  (This  was 
the  stream  where  General  Taylor  was  met  by  the  Mexican 
adjutant  general,  who  forbade  his  progress. — This  stream 
was  seventy  yards  wide,  and  of  salt  water.  We  commenced 
the  crossing  immediately ; — rafts  were  constructed  by  each 
company,  and  towed  over  by  swimmers,  for  the  river  was 


'  SAL   COLORADO.  185 

too  high  to  allow  of  fording,  as  had  been  done  by  the  army 
of  General  Taylor. — On  these  rafts  were  placed  the  baggage 
and  arms  ; — the  horses  were  swum  across  ;  the  wagons  were 
pulled  over  from  the  other  bank  by  a  long  rope,  kept  on  pur- 
pose for  such  occasions  ; — the  water  being  about  eight  feet 
deep,  took  them  about  half  way  up  the  cover  bows,  and 
everything  in  them,  or  nearly  so,  was  wet,  save  the  ammuni- 
tion, which  was  kept  dry. — This  crossing  was  a  busy  scene, 
and  not  ended  until  midnight. 

Wednesday,  November  4th.  All  the  train  being  across  the 
Sal  Colorado,  we  left  at  an  early  hour.  The  march,  this 
day,  was  by  an  old  trail  or  path,  wide  enough  for  our 
wagons,  through  the  dense  chapparal,  now  more  thick  than 
before.  Our  course  was  slow,  for  our  horses  were  quite 
weak ; — many  gave  out  this  day,  and  were  left  by  the 
roadside  to  die  ;  a  dozen  from  the  train  alone  were  left  yes- 
terday and  to-day.  Occasionally,  through  the  day,  we  passed 
over  small  prairies  ; — in  these  were  growing  great  quantities 
of  wild  red  pepper,  which  was  very  strong. — We  observed 
the  retreats  of  an  animal  new  to  us  : — a  rat,  in  everything  but 
ears,  which  resembled  those  of  a  rabbit ; — like  the  squirrel, 
in  its  habits  of  climbing,  &c.  Their  large  retreats  were 
built  in  great  numbers  under  the  bunches  of  prickly  pear. — 
We  also  saw,  rearing  its  head  in  the  dense  thicket,  many 
trunks  of  the  sword  palmetto,  or  Spanish  bayonet,  from  fif- 
teen to  twenty-five  feet  high ;  (see  sword  palmetto,  page  356)  ; — 
this,  like  the  prickly  pear  and  the  musquit  tree,  was  to  be  in 
our  constant  view  for  many  months  hereafter. 

We  encamped  near  a  lake  of  good  water,  at  three,  P.  M. 
— The  grass  was  poor,  but  our  half  famished  horses  ate  it 
greedily. — This  night,  the  remainder  of  the  provisions  were 
issued,  and  the  wagons,  save  those  for  ammunition,  were 
empty  ; — but  we  hoped  to  be  able  to  get  within  reach  of  the 
Rio  Grande  on  the  next  day. — We  had  left  the  range  of  all 
the  wild  animals,  having  seen  none  during  this  day,  and  our 
accustomed  venison  at  night  was  failing. — Several  horses  died 
during  the  night,  unable  to  endure  the  fatigue  and  want  of 
forage. 


186  ARRIVAL  AT  RIO  GRANDE. 

Thursday,  November  5th.  We  were  on  the  march  at  an 
early  hour.  After  going  about  ten  miles  we  came  to  a  beat- 
en road,  the  only  one  we  had  seen  for  many  days. — Our 
horses  seemed  to  travel  better  at  once. — We  took  this  road, 
leading  down  towards  the  coast,  and  nine  miles  further 
brought  us  to  the  water  ponds  near  the  battle  field  of  "  Palo 
Alto." — Here  all  were  rejoiced  to  see  many  wagons,  that 
had  been  sent  out  from  Matamoras  to  meet  us  ;  notice  of  our 
coming  having  been  sent  by  the  colonel,  from  the  Sal  Color- 
ado. Most  welcome  supplies  of  corn,  oats,  meat,  bread, 
flour,  sugar,  coffee,  rice,  beans,  pickles,  candles,  soap,  &c. 
The  tents  were  pitched,  and  immediately  all  these  were 
served  out. — (But  the  author  was  not  in  this  feast  of  good 
things  ;  for  he,  with  part  of  the  wagon  train,  pretty  well  in 
the  rear,  instead  of  going  to  the  left  to  Palo  Alto,  took,  by 
mistake,  a  right  hand  path,  and  was  led  by  it  into  the  main 
road  at  the  ravine  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  the  second  battle 
ground. — Passing  over  this,  a  distance  of  four  miles,  brought 
them  suddenly  in  view  of  the  Rio  Grande,  the  city  of  Mata- 
moras, and  the  long  lines  of  tents  of  the  troops  there; — also 
of  Fort  Brown,  and  the  American  flag  flying  high  above  it. 
The  transition  was  most  sudden  from  the  thick  chapparal 
to  the  view  of  the  city.  Those  that  had  come  in  by  them- 
selves crossed  the  river,  leaving  their  horses  with  the  wag- 
ons, amply  furnished  with  forage  ; — went  up  to  the  busy  city, 
and,  amid  the  crowded  streets,  soon  found  many  of  the  men 
who  had  came  round  sick  ; — most  were  now  well ;  Captain 
Porter,  of  company  G,  however,  being  worse.) 

Saturday,  November  7th.  On  Friday  the  6th,  the  regiment 
remained  at  Palo  Alto  to  rest  the  horses,  having  plenty  of 
supplies ;  and  this  morning  they  marched  in,  arriving  on  the 
bank  of  the  Rio  Grande  at  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  They 
passed  down  by  Fort  Brown,  and  encamped,  in  regular  order, 
in  the  bend  of  the  river  below  that  fortification. 

Thus  ended  the  long  march  of  near  fourteen  hundred  miles, 
by  the  route  we  had  come ; — commencing  on  the  27th  of  July, 
and  ending  on  this  date. 

The  Kentucky  cavalry  had  arrived  at  Camargo  two  or  three 


ENCAMPMENT.  187 

days  previous  to  this  time.  They  had  also  suffered  severely, 
from  the  want  of  water  and  forage,  in  crossing  the  desert 
prairie. 

Our  hardships  now  were  over,  for  a  few  weeks  at  least ; 
and  there  being  any  quantity  of  forage  here,  we  hoped  to 
have  our  horses  soon  in  good  order  again. 

On  the  9th  we  crossed  the  river  to  the  city,  and  marched 
through,  and  encamped  on  the  San  Fernando  road ;  but  the 
water  not  being  good,  we  shifted  our  camp,  the  following 
day,  to  a  position  on  a  lake  called  "  Agua  didce"  (pron.  ar- 
wah  doolsy,)  or  sweet  water, — a  pretty  crescent-shaped  lake, 
four  miles  north-west  from  the  city  (see  map  of  Matamo- 
ras) ; — this  encampment  was  called  "  Camp  Ringgold." — 
Here  we  remained  until  December  21st,  when  again  we 
were  on  the  move. 


CHAPTER    V. 

Sunday,  November  29th.  We  had  now  been  at  Matamoras 
between  three  and  four  weeks,  and  had  taken  every  oppor- 
tunity for  acquiring  information  respecting  the  city  and  its 
inhabitants.  Our  curiosity  in  this  respect  was  quite  active; 
for,  after  a  long  march  across  the  desert  wilderness,  we  had 
suddenly,  as  it  were,  come  into  the  midst  of  a  busy  popula- 
tion, in  a  city  crowded  with  its  inhabitants  and  our  soldiers  ; 
a  city  where  those  stirring  events  had  happened,  the  result 
of  which  had  been  to  draw  us  from  our  peaceful  occupations 
at  home,  and  to  place  us  in  the  position  of  soldiers ; — and, 
upon  our  arrival,  the  inhabitants  of  which  we  found  so  very 
different  in  appearance,  dress,  manners  and  customs  of  liv- 
ing, language,  religion,  and  almost  every  other  particular,  from 
those  of  our  own  country,  or  any  that  the  most  of  us  had 
ever  seen  before  ;  therefore,  the  time  that  had  elapsed  since 
our  arrival,  had  been,  as  much  as  possible,  devoted  to  obtain- 
ing information  with  regard  to  them,  their  city,  and  their 
country. 

Matamoras  contains  between  nine  and  ten  thousand  in- 
habitants ;  is  situated  on  the  southern  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande 
or  Rio  Del  Norte,  on  a  rise  of  land  partly  surrounded  by 
three  lakes,  (sec  plan).  It  is  twenty-five  miles  from  the 
mouth  of  the  river  by  land,  but  about  seventy-five  by 
the  course  of  the  river.  The  city  is  laid  out  on  a  regular 
plan  ;  the  streets  crossing  each  other  at  right  angles.  There 
are  four  public  squares ;  (though,  on  the  plan,  but  two  of  them 
are  laid  down ;  the  other  two  being  of  inconsiderable  impor- 
tance). The  buildings,  around  the  principal  square  or  Plaza, 
(188) 


BUILDINGS  OF  MATAMORAS.  189 

are  of  two  stories  ;  of  brick,  well  and  handsomely  built,  with 
a  fair  proportion  of  windows  to  each ;  with  long  balconies 
above  the  lower  story. — Occupying  the  larger  part  of  the 
eastern  side  of  this  Plaza,  is  the  large  unfinished  cathedral — 
the  walls  of  which  are  erected,  as  well  as  the  towers ;  but 
the  roof  never  has  been  placed  over  them — probably  on  ac- 
count of  want  of  means.  Part  of  the  enclosed  space  has 
been  so  fitted,  however,  as  to  answer  temporarily  for 
public  worship ;  and  the  adjoining  residences  of  the  priests 
are  finished. —  The  capilla,  on  the  western  square,  an- 
swered, for  the  present,  the  purpose  of  saying  mass. 

On  the  western  side  of  the  Plaza  are  the  public  buildings, 
now  occupied  by  Colonel  Clark,  the  governor  of  the  place; — 
some  for  storehouses  for  the  supplies  of  the  quartermaster's, 
and  other  departments; — one  house  being  used  as  the  guard- 
room for  the  stationed  guard  of  the  city,  and  another  as  the 
common  prison. — The  other  two  sides  are  occupied  as  stores 
below,  and  dwellings  above. 

Each  side  of  the  Plaza  is  a  solid  block  of  buildings.  On 
the  streets  leading  in  each  direction  from  this,  for  some  dis- 
tance throughout  the  heart  of  the  city,  the  buildings  continue 
mostly  of  two  stories,  of  brick  ;  the  sidewalks  of  the  same. 
This  part  includes  all  the  public  buildings  of  the  city,  and 
the  principal  houses  of  business,  market-house,  &c.  This 
last,  though  some  distance  north-west  of  the  main  Plaza,  is 
surrounded  by  business  houses  as  extensive,  or  more  so,  than 
those  around  that ; — on  coming  nearer  to  the  exterior,  the 
buildings  are  of  one  story,  still  brick,  but  no  longer  flat  roofs 
of  that  material,  but  thatched  with  straw ;  there  being  no 
timber  here  of  which  shingles  can  be  made.  When  nearer 
still  to  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  the  brick  buildings  give  way 
to  cottages; — or,  rather,  huts; — made  of  cane, lashed,  by  strips 
of  raw  hide,  to  musquit  poles ;  with  roof  of  straw,  support- 
ed by  the  same  :  not  a  nail  about  them ; — strips  of  hide  for 
all,  even  to  support  the  braces  and  crooked  poles  upon  which 
rests  the  roof.  Here,  too,  the  sidewalks  all  disappear. — These 
cane  huts  occupy  the  larger  portion  of  the  area  of  the  city. 

— There  are  many  fine  gardens,  surrounded  by  brick  walls, 


190  GARDENS. 

in  the  heart  of  the  city; — these  are  cultivated  with  taste  and 
care, — have  many  flowers  and  shrubs,  that  grow  not  in  the 
colder  climate  of  our  own  country ;— have  many  trees  of 
orange,  lemon,  and  lime,  though  china  trees  seem  to  be  a  fa- 
vorite shade  here. — (These  gardens,  however,  did  not  com- 
pare in  beauty  with  those  afterward  seen  in  the  more  south- 
ern cities  of  Mexico.) — But  on  the  suburbs,  the  gardens  are 
like  the  houses,  rough ;  and  enclosed  by  fences  of  the  same 
light  cane,  fastened  in  the  same  way.  None  of  the  streets 
of  Matamoras  are  paved,  there  being  no  rock  in  the  vicinity. 
A  rampart  and  ditch  runs  three-fourths  of  the  distance 
around  the  place  (sec  plan),  commencing  at  fort  Paredes, 
on  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  continuing  along  the  western 
side,  to  the  edge  of  the  Laguna,  running  round  a  part  of  this 
and  the  southern  side  of  the  town,  comes  up  on  the  eastern 
to  the  lake  ; — the  remainder  of  the  circuit  is  protected  by  that 
lake  and  another,  together  with  the  Rio  Grande.  A  small 
part  of  the  city  lies  on  the  eastern  side  of  these  lakes  ;  but  it 
is  mostly  of  cane  huts. 

(This  city,  as  we  afterwards  learned,  is  not  a  fair  sample 
of  the  Mexican  style  of  building,  being  so  far  from  the  older 
part  of  Mexico,  and  in  itself  a  new  town;  scarcely  having  an 
existence  previous  to  the  year  1820.) — There  were  no  old 
buildings  here  ;  nothing  reminded  one  of  former  years  ;  like, 
many  of  the  towns  of  the  western  parts  of  the  United  States, 
every  thing  looked  unfinished. — We  noticed  some  few  houses 
built  in  the  American  style. — The  author  was  informed  by 
an  American  who  came  to  the  place  in  1823,  and  who  since 
has  resided  here,  that  the  town  owed  its  prosperity  to  the 
contraband  trade  that  had  been  here  carried  on.*  Under 
the  old  Spanish  government,  Tampico,  three  hundred  miles 

•  This  gentleman  was  a  person  of  education  and  intelligence,  a  native  of  New 
London,  in  Connecticut ; — had  made  in  this  place  a  handsome  fortune,  and  settled 
himself  here.  He  was  one  of  those  who,  with  Mr.  Schattzell,  the  United  States'  con- 
sul here,  previous  to  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  were,  on  the  12th  of  April,  by 
General  Arista,  ordered  to  leave  the  city  and  go  to  Tampico;  which  they  did,  leav- 
ing their  families  behind  them.  On  their  arrival  at  Tampico,  on  the  23d  of  May, 
they  heard  of  the  capture  of  the  city  by  General  Taylor,  and  immediately  took  pas- 
sage on  a  vessel  and  returned. 


SETTLEMENT   OF  MAT  AMOR  AS.  191 

to  the  south,  was  the  most  northern  port  of  entry.  The 
people  of  the  northern  provinces,  of  Nueva  Leon,  Tamauli- 
pas,  (pron.  Tau-mau-lee-pas],  and  Cohahuila,  (pron.  Ko-ah 
wee-laJi),  had  money  enough ;  but,  on  account  of  the  distance, 
it  was  with  great  difficulty  that  articles  of  convenience  or 
luxury  could  be  procured  by  them,  and  even  then  at  great 
prices,  on  account  of  the  high  duties  imposed. 

Seeing  this,  many  Americans  became  engaged  in  bringing 
goods  to  this  river,  and  selling  to  the  people  of  the  country ; 
— this  trade  was  for  a  long  time  very  profitable.  They  estab- 
lished depots  at  this  place,  and  were  afterward  joined  by 
many  French,  Italians,  and  a  few  Englishmen ; — the  con- 
traband trade  so  commenced  was  carried  on  with  impunity, 
on  account  of  the  many  facilities  offered. 

The  town  of  Matamoras  soon  sprung  up,  and  traffic  was 
opened  with  all  the  northern  provinces ;  and  for  many  years  it 
has  been  the  principal  point  of  export  and  import  for  these. 
After  it  had  risen  to  such  a  degree  of  importance  as  to  at- 
tract the  attention  of  the  general  government,  it  was  made 
a  port  of  entry,  and  a  custom  house  established,  to  prevent 
the  illicit  introduction  of  foreign  goods ; — but  the  custom 
house  officers  receiving,  from  the  merchants  engaged  in  this, 
more  profit  than  they  could  otherwise  realize,  winked  at  the 
smuggling  carried  on  before  their  eyes  ;  and  the  interior  was 
still  furnished  with  goods  at  a  cheaper  rate  than  they  could 
be  purchased  for  in  Tampico. — Where  the  trade  was,  there 
of  course  collected  the  population.  At  the  commencement  of 
this  war,  Matamoras  rivaled,  in  trade  and  population,  many 
cities  of  Mexico  which  had  been  founded  for  hundreds  of  years. 

It  will  be  seen,  by  reference  to  the  map  of  Matamoras,  that 
the  Rio  Grande  is  remarkably  crooked  near  the  city ; — it  is 
much  more  so  below,  between  the  city  and  coast.  The  land 
around  the  city  being  level,  the  tall  chimneys  of  an  approach- 
ing steamboat  may  be  seen  for  two  or  three  hours  before  she 
arrives  ;  and  as  she  follows  the  winding  course  of  the  river, 
the  chimney  tops  seem  going  far  to  the  south  and  then  re- 
turning to  the  north,  only,  apparently,  to  take  another  course 
to  the  south ;  and  thus  she  appears  to  go  for  a  long  time, 


192  MIXED  POPULATION. 

back  and  forth  upon  the  same  line,  until  she  turns  the  last 
bend,  and  comes  to  view  at  the  lower  ferry. — One  short  and 
one  longer  bend  brings  her  to  the  landing  on  the  north  of 
the  city,  near  fort  Paredes. 

This  river,  although  so  crooked,  runs  with  a  current  of 
four  miles  an  hour ; — it  waters  are  turbid  and  thick  with 
mud,  and  resemble,  in  color,  those  of  the  Mississippi.  The 
river  has  the  same  appearance,  of  under  current  rising  from 
the  bottom  and  boiling  up,  as  it  were,  and  spreading  out  on 
the  surface.  The  water  is  good,  and,  when  settled,  equal  in 
clearness  and  purity  to  that  of  any  stream  ; — although,  in  this 
section,  it  runs  through  a  country  impregnated  with  salt, 
yet  it  possesses  none  of  that  quality;  being  used  by  the  in- 
habitants of  the  city  for  all  washing  and  cooking  purposes  ; — 
thft  wells  here  furnish  but  brackish  water.  The  river  banks 
are  of  clay,  bluff,  and  apt  to  wash  away  and  fall  in. — The 
lakes  marked  on  the  plate,  in  very  high  water,  communi- 
cate with  the  river.  La  Laguna  is  several  miles  in  circum- 
ference, and  has  an  outlet  to  the  river  twelve  miles  above 
the  city. 

The  land  around  Matamoras,  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  is 
perfectly  level,  covered  in  many  places  by  large  tracts  of 
impenetrable  chapparal ;  the  soil,  wherever  cultivated,  is  fer- 
tile,— though  of  that  shortly. — The  inhabitants  of  this  city 
are  all  of  dark  complexion,  that  is,  the  Mexican  portion ; 
but,  as  said  before,  they  are  mixed  up  with  French,  Italians, 
some  English  and  old  settled  Americans,  and  some  Dutch. 

Of  the  Mexican  population,  this  American  gentleman  spo- 
ken of,  said,  that  there  was  but  one  family  resident  in 
the  city,  of  the  Spanish  or  Castilian  race  ;  that  all  the  rest 
were  of  the  mingled  breeds  between  that  race  and  the  Indi- 
ans ; — this  class  are  the  most  numerous  throughout  the  whole 
of  Mexico,  but  here  the  population  is  altogether  of  it.  They 
Are  of  various  shades,  but  all  dark. — He  stated  that  the 
nearest  families  of  pure  blood  were  at  San  Fernando,  a 
town  of  about  three  thousand  inhabitants,  ninety  miles  in 
the  interior ;  but  in  proceeding  to  the  southward,  in  that  di- 
rection, into  the  more  thickly  and  older  settled  parts  of  Mex- 


PLAN     OF     MATAMORAS,     AND    VICINITY,     FROM     SURVEY    BY 

CAPTAIN    M.    A.    HAYNES,    OF   THE   TENNESSEE   REGIMENT 

OF    CAVALRY,     NOVEMBER    30,    1847. 


DRESS  OF  MEXICANS.  195 

ico,  they  became  more  numerous  ;  (which  we  found  to  be  the 
fact,  in  our  subsequent  marches). 

The  dress  of  the  men  in  this  city  varied  much.  Some  of 
the  more  influential  and  wealthy,  with  such  an  example  as 
now  they  had  before  them,  of  well  dressed  officers  and  Amer- 
ican citizens,  copied  it  as  set ;  and  dressed  in  neatly  made 
and  fitting  coats,  pantaloons  and  vests,  cravats,  shoes  and 
boots,  with  American  hats,  &c.  But  those  dressed  "A  la 
Mexicana"  wore  short  waisted  pantaloons,  (called  calzones,) 
without  suspenders ;  open  on  the  outside  seam  of  each  leg 
nearly  to  the  waistband,  with  a  row  of  large  gilt  or  silvered 
bell  buttons  down  this  outside  seam,  to  close  it  as  far  as  the 
taste  of  the  wearer  required. — These  pantaloons  were  of 
cotton,  or  more  generally  of  dressed  buck-skin,  with  a  pro- 
fusion of  ornamental  needle  work  in  bows,  flowers,  &c.,&c., 
conspicuous  on  the  sides  and  front ;  beneath  this  pair,  an- 
other of  white  or  blue  was  worn,  showing  all  along  on 
the  outside  of  the  leg,  where  the  outer  ones  were  open ; — 
this  inner  pair  were  called  calzoncillas.  A  cotton  or  linen 
shirt,  always  clean  and  nice,  with  a  wide  brimmed  sugar 
loafed  hat  of  palm,  (called  a  sombrero),  with  a  cord-like  or- 
namental band  around  it,  (called  toquilla),  with  two  silver 
screws  with  large  flat  heads  to  them,  showing  on  the  out- 
sides,  passing  through  the  body  of  the  hat ; — these  are  used 
to  fasten,  by  each  end,  a  strong  ribbon,  which  passes  under 
'the  chin,  to  keep  the  hat  on  when  riding  in  the  wind  ; — slip- 
pers made  of  thin,  half  tanned  leather,  of  goat  skin,  useless 
when  wet,  or  sometimes  sandals, — no  socks,  gloves,  or  cra- 
vat;— in  shirt,  hat,  pantaloons,  and  slippers,  they  considered 
themselves  dressed.  (See  plate,  page  378.) 

— If  more  was  necessary,  on  account  of  cold,  an  horongo, 
or  ornamental  blanket,  worked  in  figures,  diamonds,  circles, 
squares,  &c.,  in  red,  white,  blue,  and  green  colors,  was  added. 
— This  had  a  slit  in  the  centre,  through  which  the  Mex- 
ican put  his  head  when  on  horseback,  and  the  whole  blan- 
ket hung  around  him  in  its  gaudy  colors.  At  other  times, 
laying  it  on  his  neck,  he  threw  the  right  hand  side  across  his 
breast  and  over  his  left  shoulder. — In  this  array,  imagine  the 


196  WOMEN  OF  MATAMOBAS- 

Mexican  on  foot  before  you, — with  sombrero,  blanket,  double 
pantaloons,  and  slippers,  and  commonly  an  enormous  pair 
of  spurs  on  bis  beels,  and  a  little  paper  cigar  in  his  mouth. 
— Instead  of  the  horongo,  however,  the  better  class  wore  a 
finer  article  of  the  blanket  kind,  called  a  "  serape." 

The  women  wore  white  chemises,  with  only  shoulder 
straps ;  the  bosom  and  back  were  cut  much  lower  than  in  our 
country  would  be  thought  correct ;  bare  arms,  a  short  petti- 
coat, and  slippers  without  stockings  ;  almost  every  one  wore 
a  pair  of  gold  ear-rings,  and  their  hair  was  neatly  braided. — 
To  this  dress,  they  added  a  "  reboso"  or  shawl,  often  orna- 
mented, which  came  down  upon  the  person,  leaving  the  face 
exposed.  The  part  that  hung  on  the  right  side  was  thrown 
over  the  left  shoulder :  and  with  such  tact  did  they  wear 
it,  that  that  corner  never  slipped  off. — Their  dress  was  not 
only  neat,  but  pretty. 

As  an  ornament,  or  for  religious  devotion,  almost  every 
woman  wore  a  little  gold  crucifix,  with  a  string  of  beada 
or  plain  cord.  Most  of  them  had  the  little  cigar  between 
their  lips ;  and,  when  in  the  streets,  had  an  "  open  and  shut " 
fan.  These  women  of  Matamoras  cannot  be  said  to  be  pretty. 
They  are  all  dark  in  complexion ;  but  they  have  fine  forms, 
black,  glossy  hair,  large  black  eyes,  and  beautiful  teeth  ;  and, 
(however,  many  exceptions)  are  neat  and  trim. 

This  is  the  appearance  of  the  Mexican  male  and  female 
on  foot ;  but  nearly  all  the  men  were  continually  on  horse- 
back, and  presented  quite  a  different  appearance  to  the 
eye,  than  horsemen  of  our  country. — A  Mexican  is  not 
"  at  home "  until  he  is  on  horseback.  The  horses  are 
smaller  than  those  of  our  country,  but  active  and  hardy. 
— The  bridle  is  commonly  covered,  on  the  sides  and  front 
band,  with  small  diamond  pieces  of  silver ;  the  bit  is  pow- 
erful,— for  a  curb  is  an  iron  ring  going  round  the  horse's 
lower  jaw  ;  the  lower  part  of  the  bit  projects  below  the 
horse's  lip — has  a  cross-bar  here,  covered  with  small  jingling 
pieces  of  steel. — There  are  no  martingales.  The  saddle  has 
a  smaller  seat  than  those  we  use;  instead  of  skirts,  it  has 
to  the  stirrup  leathers  a  wide  piece  going  back  to  protect  the 


W         HORSEMEN.  197 

leg  from  the  sweat  of  the  horse ;  has  wooden  stirrups,  with 
a  large  piece  of  leather  covering  them,  and  coming  down  in 
two  long  points  a  foot  below.  The  housing  of  the  saddle  is 
made  of  horse  hair,  manufactured  after  the  fashion  of  a  wig ; 
— the  girth  is  of  a  dozen  cords  of  horse  hair,  made  fast  at 
each  end  to  a  large  iron  ring  with  a  long  tongue,  by  strap- 
ping up  which  the  saddle  is  fastened.  A  long  lasso,  of  raw 
hide,  or  hair  rope,  with  a  running  noose  on  the  end,  hangs 
on  the  horn  of  the  saddle,  to  which  the  other  end  is  fastened  ; 
— to  this  horn  also  hangs  a  water  gourd,  called  guaJi-he}(wlu.ch 
has  been  described  on  page  127).  The  saddle  is  ornamented 
•with  many  pieces  of  silver ;  and  in  some  instances  bits  of 
looking-glass  are  set  in,  &c.,  &c.  Now,  reader,  imagine  one 
of  these  inhabitants,  dressed  as  described,  with  his  sombrero, 
gaudy  blanket,  and  open  outside  pantaloons,  with  spurs, 
the  rowels  two  inches  in  diameter,  with  jingling  tags  to  them, 
mounted  in  this  style,  and  you  have  the  Mexican  on  horse- 
back;— the  Mexican  in  Matamoras,  and  the  Mexican  in  all 
other  parts ;  for  in  this  respect  there  was  no  difference  in 
them,  save  when  mounted  as  lancers  :  then  they  wore  green 
uniforms,  faced  with  red  and  trimmed  with  yellow.  They 
do  not  ride  like  us  :  the  stirrups  being  more  back,  throw  their 
bodies  more  forward,  and  their  knees  are  not  bent ;  in  fact, 
they  stand  in  their  stirrups.  (See plate,  page  368.) 

This  population  of  men,  mounted  and  on  foot,  women, 
boys  and  girls,  dressed  after  the  same  fashion,  filled  the 
streets  of  Matamoras,  together  with  laborers,  United  States' 
soldiers  and  officers,  both  regulars  and  volunteers  ;  many  of 
the  wagons  of  the  army  were  employed  in  transporting 
stores,  &c.,  and  so  much  work  was  required  for  the  army, 
that  everything  was  busy,  and  the  city,  with  its  mixed  pop- 
ulation, presented  an  active  scene. 

In  walking  through  the  crowded  streets  of  the  city  at  this 
time,  the  stranger  was  surprised  at  the  number  of  Ameri- 
cans ;  who,  following  the  course  of  the  army,  settled  down, 
keeping  shops  and  stores  of  various  sorts,  eating  houses,  and 
taverns  ;  and  not  a  few  kept  gambling  rooms,  where  rolette 


198  POLICE— FORT   BROWN. 

tables,  chuck-a-luck,  faro  and  "wwrnte"  banks,  (thia  last  a 
Mexican  game),  were  constantly  going. 

The  city,  in  its  internal  police,  was  under  the  government 
of  its  four  alcaldes,  or  magistrates,  and  its  Ayuntamiento,  or 
common  council. — These  alcaldes  have  their  courts  open 
every  day  for  the  punishment  of  criminals  ;  all  of  whom,  af- 
ter conviction,  were  passed  over  to  the  city  jail,  on  the  Plaza, 
which  was  continually  guarded  by  Mexican  soldiers ;—  though 
the  whole  was,  in  fact,  under  the  control  of  Colonel  Clark, 
of  the  third  Ohio  regiment,  the  military  commander  of  the 
city. 

(The  garrison,  at  this  time,  consisted  of  that  regiment,  en- 
camped on  the  north  of  the  city,  and  the  third  Indiana  regi- 
ment, Colonel  Lane,  on  the  east  (see  plate).  Fort  Paredes, 
on  the  bank  of  the  river,  at  the  north-west  corner  of  the  city, 
was  occupied  by  part  of  the  Ohio  regiment,  while  part  of 
the  Indiana,  in  conjunction  with  a  force  of  regulars,  occu- 
pied Fort  Brown.) 

Guards  were  stationed  here  and  there,  at  the  corners  and 
public  places,  throughout  the  city,  and  the  first  object  that 
struck  the  eye,  on  entering  the  Plaza,  were  two  cannon  in 
front  of  the  guard  house,  and  a  line  of  soldiers  on  duty ;  all 
under  the  shade  of  the  china  trees. 

On  the  top  of  the  flag  staff,  over  these  soldiers,  floated  in 
the  strong  breeze,  the  flag  of  the  United  States,  always 
glanced  up  to  by  the  Americans  with  feelings  of  pride  and 
satisfaction,  and  frowned  upon  and  scowled  at  by  the  Mexi- 
cans } — answering  to  this  flag,  above  the  captured  city,  is  the 
one  on  the  flag  staff  of  Fort  Brown,  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  river. 

This  fort,  strong  in  the  days  of  its  bombardment,  last  May, 
is  more  so  now. — Its  defences  are  finished,  and  more  cannon 
mounted  ; — supplies  of  every  kind  were  abundant  in  it. — The 
city  of  Matamoras  could  not  be  held  by  a  hostile  force,  while 
this  fort  is  garrisoned;  (for  position  of  Fort  Brown,  see 
plate,  showing,  also,  the  batteries  that  were  erected  against 
it  by  the  Mexicans). — In  this  fort,  in  addition  to  its  own 
heavy  armament,  are  several  of  the  lighter  cannon  taken 


COPPER  BALLS.  199 

from  the  Mexicans  at  the  battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma. — 
these  pieces  are  of  brass,  all  of  old  Spanish  manufacture, 
having  their  dates  upon  them,  as  well  as  the  places  of  cast- 
ing ; — on  one  was  "  Barcelona,  1774 ;"  another  "1769 ;"  another 
"Cadiz,  1767,"  &c.,  &c.  Each  one  has  its  name  cut  upon  it 
near  the  mouth, — "El  Tigre,  El  Furor,"  &c.  &c.;  and  some 
were  carved  with  the  arms  and  cross  of  Spain. 

To  serve  these  guns,  in  case  of  any  attempt  of  the  enemy 
to  regain  possession  of  the  city,  or  attack  the  fort,  are  large 
quantities  of  copper  shot,  round,  grape,  and  canister,  provi- 
ded by  their  former  masters,  and  captured  in  large  quantities 
in  the  city  of  Matamoras,  where  more  ammunition  and  shot 
were  taken  than  the  United  States  had  sent  for  the  use  of 
the  army  of  occupation.  (At  Monterey,  more  than  three 
times  the  amount  here,  was  taken.) — Several  mortars  cap- 
tured from  the  city,  of  different  sizes,  were  now  placed  in  the 
fort,  and  a  great  number  of  brass,  or  composition  bombs, 
that  had  been  prepared  for  them,  were  piled  up. 

Much  has  been  said  and  written  about  these  copper  balls 
and  shells, — of  their  being  used  by  the  Mexicans  because 
they  are  more  deadly,  &c.,  &c.  This  is  not  the  reason  that 
they  are  used ;  it  is  simply  because,  where  they  are  manu- 
factured, in  the  silver  mining  districts,  there  are  many  mines 
of  this  metal,  and  it  is  cheaper  than  iron ; — and,  besides  the 
mines,  much  copper  is  worked  out  with  the  silver,  and  this 
is  of  but  little  value,  while  iron  is  difficult  to  be  procured,  and 
is  of  high  price  ;  copper  being  worth  one  rial  and  a  quartUla 
(or  fifteen  cents)  per  pound,  and  iron  two  rids  and  a  medio 
(or  thirty-one  and  one-fourth  cents.)  This  refuse  metal,  then, 
is  worked  up  into  balls,  and  cast  into  shells.  Throughout 
the  whole  of  Mexico,  wherever  these  are  brought  from  the 
interior,  they  are  found  to  be  of  copper  entirely ;  but  when 
procured  on  the  coast,  of  iron.  (The  immense  amount  of 
balls  and  shells  thrown  by  the  Mexicans  afterwards,  from 
the  forts  of  Vera  Cruz,  and  from  the  castle  of  San  Juan  de 
Ulloa,  were  all  of  iron ;  while  the  vast  number  brought  to 
Cerro  Gordo,  from  the  interior,  were  all  of  copper.) 

Neither  is  there  so  much  difference  in  the  effects  of  wounds 


200  POISONOUS  BALLS. 

produced  by  copper  balls  and  those  of  iron  and  lead,  as  the 
lettei  writers,  endeavoring  to  make  capital  out  of  every  cir- 
cumstance, have  induced  the  public  to  believe.  If  a  copper 
ball  is  oxydized  or  rusted  with  green,  that  oxyde,  of  course, 
is  poisonous  ;  that  is,  if  any  is  left  on  the  wound  made  by 
it ;  but  on  a  common  cannon  ball,  after  the  process  of  load- 
ing and  firing,  but  little,  if  any,  is  left ; — if  the  ball  strikes  a 
person  any  where  about  the  body  or  head,  death  is  the  re- 
sult of  nineteen  cases  out  of  twenty,  from  its  very  weight 
and  force.  A  limb  struck  by  it,  of  course  is  taken  off, 
and  the  shattered  extremity  is  amputated ; — the  quantity  of 
oxyde  there,  if  any  at  all,  never,  in  its  effect,  could  be  per- 
ceived. 

Again,  if  poisonous  balls  were  the  object  of  the  Mexicans, 
they  would  take  pains  to  expose  these  copper  balls  to  the 
weather,  or  throw  acid  upon  them,  to  rust  them  ;  but  so  far 
is  this  from  the  case,  that  when  they  were  first  captured, 
they  were  always  in  good  order  and  bright. — As  for  this  non- 
sensical charge  of  poisoned  balls,  if  these  "writers  (if  belong- 
ing to  the  army)  had  examined  their  own  musket,  rifle,  or 
carbine  cartridges,  from  the  United  States,  they  would  have 
found  all  of  the  balls,  upon  taking  off  the  paper  covering 
from  them,  covered  with  a  thick  coat  of  white  oxyde  of  lead ; 
— and  oxyde  of  lead  is  as  poisonous  as  that  of  copper  ; — so 
that  the  charge  of  using  poisoned  balls,  on  those  grounds, 
can  be  made  equally  well  against  the  United  States  as 
against  Mexico ;  and  in  both  cases,  the  charge  would  be 
equally  groundless.  It  is  no  more  the  object  of  one  than  it 
is  of  the  other  ; — both  make  their  balls  of  the  cheapest  ma- 
terial. 

— The  heavy  guns  of  the  fort  bear  directly  upon  the  city  ; — 
two  of  these  guns  were  hit  in  the  bombardment,  but  not  in-, 
jured. — At  the  foot  of  the  flag  staff,  within  the  fort,  is  the 
grave  of  Major  Brown,  who  was  killed  at  that  time  ; — in  one 
of  the  angles  of  the  fort  were  about  twenty  Mexican  pris- 
oners, who,  when  we  visited  it,  were  seated  around,  smoking 
and  chatting,  appearing  well  satisfied  with  their  condition. 
These  were  captured  with  an  ammunition  wagon  in  the  rear 


SKELETONS  ON  BATTLE  FIELDS.  201 

of  Arista's  army,  when  in  retreat  towards  the  interior  from 
Matamoras,  by  Colonel  Garland,  with  a  detachment  of 
dragoons  ;  who,  by  General  Taylor,  had  been  sent  in  pursuit, 
and  who  went  sixty-six  miles. — These  prisoners  had  here 
much  space  allowed  them,  and  had  built  slight  houses  of 
cane  for  shelter ; — they  were  all  clothed  in  their  common 
dress,  already  described,  and  were  cleanly  in  appearance. 

From  this  fort,  the  battle  ground  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma 
is  distant  about  four  miles,  and  that  of  Palo  Alto  about 
twelve  miles,  both  a  north-east  course.  It  being  now  nearly 
six  months  since  these  battles  had  been  fought,  nothing 
was  to  be  seen  on  the  ground,  save  the  graves,  many  of 
which  had  been  disturbed  by  the  wolves,  and  the  scattered 
skeletons  of  very  many  who  found  not  a  burial ;  these  lay 
as  they  fell :  here  in  rows,  from  the  sweeping  effects  of  ar- 
tillery ;  there  singly,  from  musketry  or  bayonet ; — here  was  a 
skeleton  with  the  back  of  the  head  torn  off,  lying  as  it  fell, 
on  the  face,  with  the  dried,  sun  cracked  boots  still  on  the 
fleshless  feet ;  there  lay  another,  round  the  frame  of  which, 
still  hanging  together,  was  the  belt  and  cartridge  box ; — a 
torn  uniform  was  on  another ;  while  the  cap,  as  it  fell  from  the 
head  of  another,  still  lay  by  the  side  of  the  skull; — loose 
skulls,  leg  and  arm  bones,  lay  round  in  any  quantity,  as  they 
had  been  dragged  from  their  shallow  resting  places  by  the 
ravenous  wolves  ; — many,  that  had  been  slightly  buried,  were 
partly  out  of  the  ground. — The  whole  extended  area  pre- 
sented but  a  picture  of  past  destruction  and  death. 

— These  four  weeks,  our  regiment  had  been  encamped  on 
the  ground  enclosed  by  the  "Agua  Dulce"  lake. — This  contain- 
ed an  area  of  about  a  thousand  acres,  of  which  about  two  hun- 
dred were  cleared  ;  the  remainder  was  covered  with  a  heavy 
growth  of  cane  and  grass,  which,  together  with  the  full 
amounts  of  grain  received  from  the  quartermaster's  depart- 
ment in  the  city,  improved  the  horses  of  the  regiment  finely. 
These  horses  had  been  so  jaded  and  starved  by  the  long 
march  through  the  wilderness,  that  for  the  first  two  weeks 
they  did  not  seem  to  improve  any  ;  but  after  that  time  of 
rest,  they  began  rapidly  to  regain  their  flesh  and  activity,. 


204  RANCHOS. 

with  a  liberal  hand,  to  many  articles,  taking  them  off  with 
him. — Bartolo  took,  from  our  mess,  a  frock  coat,  a  fine  Macki- 
naw blanket,  a  splendid  dueling  pistol,  and  a  handsome 
double  barreled  pistol,  beside  other  little  things. — We  found, 
upon  inquiry  of  the  Americans  residing  here,  that  there  was 
no  confidence  to  be  placed  in  any  of  this  class,  and,  in  fact, 
but  very  little  in  any  class  of  the  Mexicans  ;  being  all  deceit- 
ful and  treacherous. — Honor  might,  indeed,  be  found  among 
some,  but  these  were  few  and  far  between.  Our  mess  tried 
no  more  of  them  as  servants ;  taking,  as  before,  each  man, 
his  regular  days  in  succession,  in  cooking. 

Now,  having  spoken  of  the  city,  and  the  camp,  after  we 
had  become  somewhat  accustomed  to  the  new  situation  in 
which  we  were  placed,  the  author  will  resume  the  original  form 
of  the  diary  ;  giving  in  detail,  for  the  remainder  of  the  time 
the  regiment  was  encamped  at  Matamorae,  the  description 
of  the  scenes  that  continued  to  meet  his  eye  in  camp  and 
city,  from  day  to  day,  as  they  occurred,  and  relating  all  in- 
formation connected  with  the  manners,  customs,  &c..  of  these 
people,  in  the  same  order  that  they  came  to  his  observation ; 
being  convinced  that,  in  this  way,  they  will  be  more  interest- 
ing to  the  reader. 

November  29th.  Around  the  lake  at  which  we  were  en- 
camped, were  three  Ranchos,  (see  plan  of  Matamoras),  which 
term  is  here  used  to  denote  a  farm,  whether  for  the  purpose 
of  raising  stock  or  cultivating  the  ground. — Each  of  these 
three  Ranchos  was  populous,  having  many  houses,  construc- 
ted of  cane,  and  daubed  with  clay,  for  the  habitation  of  the 
laborers  in  the  employ  of  the  owner  of  the  same  ; — these  la- 
borers are  known  by  the  name  of  "peones"  or  "  ranchcros ;" 
and  as  their  appearance  had  excited  attention,  as  they 
moved  about  at  their  labor,  and  as  their  situation,  as  a  class 
of  people,  had  become  known,  the  author,  with  one  of  his 
comrades,  obtaiiAg  leave  of  absence  for  the  day,  determined 
to  spend  it  aSmg  them.  The  morning  roll  call  and 
drill  were  over;  when,  saddling  our  horses,  and  taking 
our  carbines,  as  security  against  the  Mexican  scouts  and 
spies  that  we  knew  were  in  numbers  around,  we  rode  out 


CULTIVATED  FIELDS.  20i> 

by  the  northern  extremity  of  the  lake,  to  the  rancho  on 
the  west  of  it;  which  many  of  the  boys  had  already  fre- 
quently visited,  for  the  purpose  of  getting  clothing  washed. 

— The  fields  that  we  passed  were  in  a  state  of  cultivation  ; 
were  enclosed  by  ditches  and  embankments,  on  the  top  of 
which  was  a  slight  fence,  made  of  crooked  posts  of  mus- 
quit,  set  at  short  intervals  in  the  ground,  worked  in  between 
with  the  small  branches  of  the  same  tree  ;  which,  being  cov- 
ered with  innumerable  thorns,  prevented  the  passage  of  men 
or  animals  ; — these  brush  fences  last  many  years,  by  reason 
of  the  durability  of  the  musquit  timber,  even  in  the  small 
twigs.  (But  it  should  be  remembered  that  these  fences 
are  by  no  means  universal  in  Mexico ;  for  large  tracts 
of  land  are,  in  many  places,  cultivated  without  any  fence  ; 
the  herds  of  horses  and  cattle  being  prevented  from  trespass- 
ing upon  them  by  the  herdsmen,  or  vaqueros,  as  they  call 
them.) 

In  these  fields,  which  were  very  large,  and  perfectly  level, 
were  growing  corn,  cotton,  and  sugar  cane ; — all  looked  well, 
but  more  especially  the  cotton  attracted  our  attention,  being 
large,  thrifty,  and  boiled  to  the  top.  The  staple  of  this  was 
very  long  and  fine,  and  in  every  respect  equal  to  the  "  Sea 
Island >J  of  our  country,  as  said  by  those  acquainted  with  the 
latter. — This  cotton,  although  producing  well,  would  yield 
double  or  treble  the  quantity  that  it  does,  if  it  were  cultivated 
in  the  manner  of  that  of  the  United  States. — The  same  is  true 
of  the  corn  ;  which,  though  rather  too  far  south  to  flourish 
luxuriantly,  yet,  even  with  the  little  labor  bestowed  here  upon 
it,  produces  well ; — sugar  cane,  throughout  all  this  part  of 
Mexico,  grows  finely ,  and  is  filled  with  the  richest  juice  ; 
excelling,  far,  the  cane  of  Louisiana. — The  fields  that  we 
passed  were  crowded  with  rank  weeds  among  the  cotton, 
corn,  and  cane. 

A  half  hour's  slow  ride  brought  us  to  the  first  musquit 
fence,  surrounding  the  rancho,  or  collection  of  houses ;  we 
passed  through  the  bars,  and  were  then  in  a  large  area, 
nearly  square,  of  eight  or  ten  acres,  used  for  the  herding  of 
cattle ; — from  this,  we  passed  through  another  set  of  bars, 


204  RANCHOS. 

with  a  liberal  hand,  to  many  articles,  taking  them  off  with 
him. — Bartolo  took,  from  our  mess,  a  frock  coat,  a  fine  Macki- 
naw blanket,  a  splendid  dueling  pistol,  and  a  handsome 
double  barreled  pistol,  beside  other  little  things. — We  found, 
upon  inquiry  of  the  Americans  residing  here,  that  there  was 
no  confidence  to  be  placed  in  any  of  this  class,  and,  in  fact, 
but  very  little  in  any  class  of  the  Mexicans  ;  being  all  deceit- 
ful and  treacherous. — Honor  might,  indeed,  be  found  among 
some,  but  these  were  few  and  far  between.  Our  mess  tried 
no  more  of  them  as  servants ;  taking,  as  before,  each  man, 
his  regular  days  in  succession,  in  cooking. 

Now,  having  spoken  of  the  city,  and  the  camp,  after  we 
had  become  somewhat  accustomed  to  the  new  situation  in 
which  we  were  placed,  the  author  will  resume  the  original  form 
of  the  diary  ;  giving  in  detail,  for  the  remainder  of  the  time 
the  regiment  was  encamped  at  Matamoras,  the  description 
of  the  scenes  that  continued  to  meet  his  eye  in  camp  and 
city,  from  day  to  day,  as  they  occurred,  and  relating  all  in- 
formation connected  with  the  manners,  customs,  &c..  of  these 
people,  in  the  same  order  that  they  came  to  his  observation ; 
being  convinced  that,  in  this  way,  they  will  be  more  interest- 
ing to  the  reader. 

November  29th.  Around  the  lake  at  which  we  were  en- 
camped, were  three  Ranchos,  (see  plan  of  Matamoras],  which 
term  is  here  used  to  denote  a  farm,  whether  for  the  purpose 
of  raising  stock  or  cultivating  the  ground. — Each  of  these 
three  Ranchos  was  populous,  having  many  houses,  construc- 
ted of  cane,  and  daubed  with  clay,  for  the  habitation  of  the 
laborers  in  the  employ  of  the  owner  of  the  same  ; — these  la- 
borers are  known  by  the  name  of  "peones"  or  "  ranchcros ;" 
and  as  their  appearance  had  excited  attention,  as  they 
moved  about  at  their  labor,  and  as  their  situation,  as  a  class 
of  people,  had  become  known,  the  author,  with  one  of  his 
comrades,  obtaii^g  leave  of  absence  for  the  day,  determined 
to  spend  it  aMmg  them.  The  morning  roll  call  and 
drill  were  over;  when,  saddling  our  horses,  and  taking 
our  carbines,  as  security  against  the  Mexican  scouts  and 
spies  that  we  knew  were  in  numbers  around,  we  rode  out 


CULTIVATED  FIELDS.  20i> 

by  the  northern  extremity  of  the  lake,  to  the  rancho  on 
the  west  of  it;  which  many  of  the  boys  had  already  fre- 
quently visited,  for  the  purpose  of  getting  clothing  washed. 

— The  fields  that  we  passed  were  in  a  state  of  cultivation  ; 
were  enclosed  by  ditches  and  embankments,  on  the  top  of 
which  was  a  slight  fence,  made  of  crooked  posts  of  mus- 
quit, set  at  short  intervals  in  the  ground,  worked  in  between 
with  the  small  branches  of  the  same  tree  ;  which,  being  cov- 
ered with  innumerable  thorns,  prevented  the  passage  of  men 
or  animals ; — these  brush  fences  last  many  years,  by  reason 
of  the  durability  of  the  musquit  timber,  even  in  the  small 
twigs.  (But  it  should  be  remembered  that  these  fences 
are  by  no  means  universal  in  Mexico  ;  for  large  tracts 
of  land  are,  in  many  places,  cultivated  without  any  fence ; 
the  herds  of  horses  and  cattle  being  prevented  from  trespass- 
ing upon  them  by  the  herdsmen,  or  vaqueros,  as  they  call 
them.) 

In  these  fields,  which  were  very  large,  and  perfectly  level, 
were  growing  corn,  cotton,  and  sugar  cane ; — all  looked  well, 
but  more  especially  the  cotton  attracted  our  attention,  being 
large,  thrifty,  and  boiled  to  the  top.  The  staple  of  this  was 
very  long  and  fine,  and  in  every  respect  equal  to  the  "  Sea 
Island  "  of  our  country,  as  said  by  those  acquainted  with  the 
latter. — This  cotton,  although  producing  well,  would  yield 
double  or  treble  the  quantity  that  it  does,  if  it  were  cultivated 
in  the  manner  of  that  of  the  United  States. — The  same  is  true 
of  the  corn  ;  which,  though  rather  too  far  south  to  flourish 
luxuriantly,  yet,  even  with  the  little  labor  bestowed  here  upon 
it,  produces  well ; — sugar  cane,  throughout  all  this  part  of 
Mexico,  grows  finely,  and  is  filled  with  the  richest  juice ; 
excelling,  far,  the  cane  of  Louisiana. — The  fields  that  we 
passed  were  crowded  with  rank  weeds  among  the  cotton, 
corn,  and  cane. 

A  half  hour's  slow  ride  brought  us  to  the  first  musquit 
fence,  surrounding  the  rancho,  or  collection  of  houses ;  we 
passed  through  the  bars,  and  were  then  in  a  large  area, 
nearly  square,  of  eight  or  ten  acres,  used  for  the  herding  of 
cattle ; — from  this,  we  passed  through  another  set  of  bars, 


206  VISIT  TO  A  RANCHO. 

into  an  enclosure  of  about  the  same  size,  with  cane  houses 
in  rows,  up  and  down  the  length  of  it.  These  houses  were 
all  thatched  with  straw,  had  dirt  floors  and  no  chimneys.— 
Around  these  was  a  group  of  rancheros,  or  country  Mexi- 
cans ;  the  men  with  their  blankets  drawn  closely  around 
their  shoulders,  and  their  arms  folded  beneath  them,  holding 
one  part  of  them  up  over  their  chins  and  necks, — for  the 
morning  was  cool ; — they  looked  at  us,  from  under  their 
broad  brimmed  sombreros,  with  a  surly,  scowling  appearance 
on  their  dark  countenances,  which  certainly  indicated  no  great 
love  to  us,  and  which  love,  by  the  same  kind  of  looks,  we  in- 
stantly returned. — Not  so  the  women,  however;  for  they  had 
been  visited  by  our  boys  before,  who,  as  before  said,  had  got 
them  to  do  washing  for  them ;  and  when  done,  had  paid 
them  promptly  ; — and  these  women  were  very  anxious  to 
get  more  to  do,  to  get  more  "dos  riales"  (twenty-five  cents). 
These  came  out  to  us,  several  together,  before  we  dismoun- 
ted : — "  Buenos  dias,  senores"  (good  day,  gentlemen),  said  all, 
with  a  smile,  that  made  the  men  look  more  black  at  us. — 
Five  of  these  kept  near  us,  looking  at  our  horses,  and  pass- 
ing to  and  fro, — we  thought  exchanging  significant  looks  be- 
tween themselves  ; — and,  as  instances  of  robbery  and  murder 
were  happening  eve.ry  day,  around,  our  suspicions  were  in- 
stantly aroused. — We  asked  the  women  who  these  men 
were,  and  they  shook  their  heads,  as  though  they  knew  not, 
and  made  signs,  unperceived  by  them,  that  they  lived  a  long 
ways  off,  pointing  to  their  horses  tied  outside  the  next  fence, 
which  we  had  not  noticed. 

This  was  enough ; — putting,  instantly,  caps  on  our  guns, 
we  stepped  out  of  the  house,  and  my  companion  confronted 
the  one  who  appeared  the  most  surly  and  most  forward,  and 
addressed  him : — "  You  G-d  d-m-d  yellow  looking,  surly 
son  of  a  b-t-h  !  what  are  you  doing  here  ? — take  yourselves 
off,  or  I'll  send  daylight  through  your  d-m-d  liver,  and  that 
quick."  "Noenticnde  Ingles,"  (don't  understand  English), 
said  the  Mexican,  shaking  his  fore  finger  before  his  face  in 
their  significant  manner,  accompanied  with  two  or  three 
wags  of  the  head,  keeping  time  with  the  syllables  of  no-en-ii- 


CANALES'  MEN. 

en-de ;  but  still  a  little  confused  at  the  bold  front  of  my 
companion,  as  towards  him,  he  immediately  advanced ; — 
"  G-d-d-m  you ;  vamos  aqui"  (begone  from  here),  shouted  he. 
They  took  him  at  his  word,  and,  with  surly  looks,  cleared 
out,  mounted  their  horses,  and  \vere  off. — No  sooner  were 
they  gone,  than  an  old  man  who  belonged  to  the  rancho 
seemed  relieved,  and  said  to  us,  "  Muchas  gracias  sefiorcs,  esos 
hombres  sonde  Candes"  (thank  you  gentlemen,  those  are  Ca- 
nales'  men).  "D-m  it,"  said  my  companion,  "  we  ought  to 
have  killed  two  or  three  of  them ;  what  a  pity  we  did  not 
know  it  before." 

Canales  is  a  robber  captain  and  a  general ;  the  pest  of 
this  part  of  the  country ;  a  foe  to  Americans,  and  about  as 
much  so  to  the  Mexicans,  plundering  them,  where  there  is 
no  other  opportunity. — His  men  are  scattered  and  concealed, 
and  all  efforts  by  our  army  to  take  him,  or  destroy  his  force, 
have,  so  far,  been  unavailing; — his  scouts  and  spies,  of  which 
these  five  were  part,  are  continually  watching  around  every 
post  and  garrison  of  the  American  army,  and  at  this  time 
were  numerous  around  us,  at  camp  and  in  the  city.  Many  of 
our  troops  found  singly,  were  lassoed  or  shot,  and  several  had, 
within  a  few  days,  escaped  narrowly  from  their  hands  ;  the 
scamps  seizing  their  opportunities,  when  two  or  three  could 
pounce  upon  one. 

We  remained  at  this  rancho  for  an  hour  or  two,  talking 
the  little  Spanish  we  had  picked  up,  and  learning  more,  from 
the  Scnoritas,  or  girls — (Sefior,  in  Spanish,  is  Mr.;  Seftora, 
Mrs.;  Senorita,  Miss.) — We  easily  learned  the  names  of  ob- 
jects, having  well  the  phrase,  "  Comase  llama  este" — •"  What 
do  you  call  this  ?"  The  answers,  when  given,  were  always 
accompanied  with  the  same  question,  to  know  the  English 
name  of  the  article  mentioned. — It  was  amusing  to  hear 
their  endeavors  to  pronounce  our  words ;  and  their  failures 
to  do  so  were  accompanied  by  bursts  of  laughter,  and  mer- 
riment from  themselves,  though,  probably,  our  pronunciation 
of  their  words  was  equally  amusing  to  them  ;  yet  they  never 
laughed  at  us.  They  seemed  in  good  humor  and  happy, 
though  their  state,  as  will  be  mentioned,  was  no  better  than 


208  RANCHOS  AND  HACIENDAS. 

slavery. — We  left  this  rancho,  and  proceeded  to  the  next  one, 
on  the  southern  part  of  the  lake ;  keeping,  in  the  meantime, 
a  good  look-out  to  find  some  more  of  Canales'  men, — but 
they  were  gone. — At  this  rancho  we  remained  a  short  time, 
and  then  proceeded  on  round  to  the  south-east  corner  of  the 
lake,  opposite  to  the  one  by  which  we  had  left.  At  this  cor- 
ner, on  the  road  into  the  camp,  was  another  rancho,  the  mas- 
ter of  which  owned  the  land  enclosed  by  the  lake,  on  which 
was  the  camp; — all  the  passage  to  and  from  which,  was 
through  his  enclosures. — This  man  had  much  land  in  cotton 
and  corn,  and  many  "peones"  or  rancheros,  in  his  service. — 
We  had  become  pretty  well  acquainted  with  the  old  fellow, 
who  was  on  good  terms  with  us — the  occupation  of  his  land 
and  pasturage  being  paid  for.  We  found  him  very  commu- 
nicative in  answer  to  our  questions,  and  in  showing  us  all  his 
tools  and  instruments  of  husbandry.  We  remained  with 
him  for  two  or  three  hours,  then  rode  to  all  the  other  ranches 
in  the  neighborhood — spending  the  day  in  our  observationSj 
and  returning  to  camp  after  sundown ;  finding  them  all  about 
alike.  (We  afterward  found  the  system  of  servitude,  or  "  pe- 
onage," and  the  customs  and  manner  of  living  of  these  peo- 
nes, to  be  the  same  throughout  all  the  parts  of  Mexico  that 
we  visited ;  and  were  informed  that  it  was  the  same  in  every 
State  of  the  republic.  Their  agriculture,  too,  was  about 
alike  throughout  the  whole  country.) 

A  large  plantation  is  called  a  hacienda. — These  are  often,  as 
the  reader  will  learn  in  the  course  of  this  work,  of  such  size 
as  to  include  in  their  limits  extensive  tracts  of  country,  cov- 
ering from  five  hundred  to  three  or  four  thousand  square 
miles ;  and  the  collections  of  laborers  on  these  form  large 
towns.  A  small  farm  is  called  a  rancho,  whether  it  is  for  ag- 
riculture, or  the  raising  of  stock,  of  horses,  mules,  and  cat- 
tle, &c. — The  owners  of  these  ranchos  sometimes  own  the 
land  they  occupy ;  at  others,  it  is  a  leased  portion  of  a  vast 
hacienda. — Sometimes  the  owner  of  the  hacienda  leases  no 
particular  part,  but  grants  the  right  to  the  proprietor  of  the  ran- 
cho to  graze  a  large  number  of  horses, — or  caballada,  as  a  drove 
Is  called, — or  herds  of  cattle,  over  the  whole  extent  of  thn 


SYSTEM  OF  PEONAGE  OR  SERVITUDE.          200 

hacienda  at  pleasure  :  receiving  for  this  a  compensation  of, 
commonly,  from  thirty  to  forty  dollars  a  year,  for  each  hun- 
dred head  so  grazed.  The  laborers  on  these  haciendas  and 
ranches  are  the  peones,  and,  although  nominally  free,  as 
said  before,  are  in  a  worse  condition  than  the  negro  slaves  of 
our  southern  States. — The  manner  of  the  bondage  is  this  : — An 
individual,  on  his  arriving  at  age,  must  work  for  himself,  and 
his  only  chance,  without  he  has  a  trade,  to  which  very  few 
are  brought  up,  is  to  obtain  employment  at  a  hacienda  or  ran- 
cho;  he  applies,  and  is  received  into  employ.  The  wages 
are  fixed  by  a  general  rule,  and  in  these  there  is  no  differ- 
ence :  the  amount  is  three  riates  (thirty-seven  and  a  half 
cents)  per  day,  and  an  almud  (a  quart  less  than  a  peck)  of 
corn  per  week,  if  he  is  single ;  but,  if  married,  two  almudes. 
— He  is  only  paid  for  the  days  he  works. — He  is  furnished 
with  a  house  or  cabin,  and  a  patch  of  ground  to  cultivate  for 
himself,  in  which  to  raise  a  little  corn,  cabbage,  "  chili"  or  red 
pepper — a  necessary  article  with  the  Mexican. — The  law 
gives  him  the  right  to  demand  and  receive  one  rial  (twelve 
and  a  half  cents)  per  day,  in  money,  as  part  of  his  wages ; 
the  other  two-thirds  are  to  be  taken  in  goods  for  himself  or 
family ; — this  twelve  and  a  half  cents  per  day  to  be  paid 
him,  however,  allowing  that  he  owes  his  master  nothing ;  but 
if  he  does,  that  is  retained  to  pay  the  debt.  During  the  rainy 
season,  there  is  but  little  work,  neither  is  there  upon  any  of  the 
numerous  festivals  of  the  church, — for  all  attend  most  strictly 
to  their  religious  duties ;  and  so  a  common  average  of  labor 
is  four  days  out  of  seven,  or  two  hundred  and  eight  days  in 
the  year; — allowing  one  to  be  free  from  sickness,  he  earns 
seventy-eight  dollars  for  the  support  of  himself  and  family. 
His  meat  he  buys  of  his  master;  his  clothing  for  himself 
and  family  comes  from  the  same.  He  pays  for  these  things 
double  what  they  cost  the  master  (that  is  the  usual  percent- 
age) ;  but  these  are  not  all  his  expenses. — When  his  birth- 
day comes  around,  or  the  birth-day  of  his  wife,  an  offering 
worth  some  two  or  three  dollars  is,  by  custom,  made  to  their 
patron  saints ; — this,  in  whatever  shape  it  is,  must  also  be 
procured  from  his  master.  If  any  little  enterprise  is  pro- 
14 


210         SYSTEM  OF  PEONAGE  OR  SERVITUDE. 

jected,  his  saint  is  prayed  to  and  promised  gifts  of  wax  can- 
dles, &c.,  for  his  protection  and  assistance;  and  these  must  be 
paid,  at  any  rate,  if  he  has  to  rob  to  procure  the  means.  If 
a  child  is  born,  the  christening,  without  which  no  one  would 
be  satisfied,  costs  him  several  dollars.  A  marriage  in  his 
family  costs  him  twenty  at  least,  and  a  burial  fifteen.  If 
none  of  these  happen,  his  seventy-eight  dollars  will  hardly 
feed  and  clothe  himself  and  family  for  a  year ;  or  at  the  very 
outside,  will  not  more  than  do  it,  at  the  high  prices  he  must 
pay ;  and  he  is  compelled  to  get  these  articles  of  his  master 
alone.  If  one  of  them  does  occur,  he  falls  more  or  less  in 
debt  to  his  master,  who  is  always  perfectly  willing  to  allow 
him  to  go  into  this  twenty-five  or  thirty  dollars,  which  is  soon 
done ;  and  then  he  is  no  more  or  less  than  a  slave  for  life ; 
— for  the  law  gives  to  the  master  the  right  to  his  services, 
on  the  same  terms,  until  he  shall  pay  the  debt  he  owes  ;  that 
is,  until  the  one-third  of  his  wages,  the  twelve  and  a  half 
cents  per  day,  will  amount  to  that  sum, — for  the  remaining 
two-thirds  he  is  obliged  to  take  in  goods,  as  before,  at  the 
same  high  prices  ; — the  whole  of  his  wages  will  barely 
clothe  and  feed  him,  allowing  him  meat  once  a  week ;  and 
how  is  he  to  get  out  ?  He  never  will ;  he  never  expects  to  ; 
he  does  not  endeavor  to  do  it ;  for  even  suppose,  by  the  most 
extraordinary  care  and  frugality  for  a  long  time,  he  should 
get  out  of  debt ;  what  then  ?  No  course  is  left  for  him  but 
the  same  way  and  the  same  end. 

As  a  general  rule,  whenever  a  peon  marries  he  goes  into 
servitude ;  for  the  curate's  or  priest's  fees,  and  cost  of  license, 
and  publishing,  is  seventeen  dollars.  By  the  custom  of  mar- 
riage, too,  no  young  man  can  obtain  a  wife  without  making 
her  a  bridal  present  of  clothing,  &c.,  or  don,  as  it  is  called  : 
which  costs  him  at  the  least  thirty  dollars.  This  is  to  him 
an  important  item,  and  is,  as  well  as  the  priest's  fees,  ob- 
tained from  the  master; — he  must  also  pay  at  least  ten  dol- 
lars for  a  feast  and  fandango  or  dance  on  the  occasion  ;  and 
these  expenses  render  him  a  slave,  as  said  before.  Instances 
are  common  of  young  mechanics,  who,  wishing  to  marry, 
and  not  being  able  to  raise  the  means,  have  obtained  them 


SYSTEM  OF  PEONAGE  OR  SERVITUDE.         211 

by  binding  themselves  for  a  year  or  more,  to  work  for  the 
person  who  furnished  them. 

While  thus  in  debt,  even  of  but  one  dollar,  he  is  as  much 
a  slave  as  the  negro  of  the  south,  and  is  in  a  far  worse  con- 
dition.— His  master  can  throw  him  into  prison,  and  keep 
him  three  days  there,  without  assigning  any  reason  what- 
ever ! — and,  on  the  slightest  reason  assigned  to  the  alcalde, 
can  keep  him  in  for  an  indefinite  period.  Neither  is  there 
but  one  way  in  which  he  can  ever  leave  his  master,  and  that 
is  this  :  if  he  is  displeased,  he  can  go  to  another  hacienda  or 
rancho,  and  ask  the  owner  thereof  to  buy  him  ;  that  is,  to 
pay  the  debt  he  owes  the  first,  and  to  take  him  into  his  ser- 
vice ;  if  he  is  willing  to  do  so,  the  latter  sends  a  note  to  the 
former,  binding  himself  to  pay  the  peon's  debt;  and  then  the 
peon  is  passed  over  to  him,  for  he  has  bought  him  to  all  in- 
tents and  purposes,  as  fairly  as  though  he  had  been,  like  the 
southern  slave,  put  up  on  the  block,  and  struck  off  to  the 
highest  bidder  ; — the  same  wages  are  allowed  him  as  before. 
But  even  this  is  rare,  for  it  is  not  to  the  interest  of  the  master 
to  allow  their  peones  to  change,  and  therefore  the  applica- 
tions for  such  change,  by  mutual  agreement  of  the  masters, 
are  usually  refused. 

When  the  owner  of  an  hacienda  or  rancho  sells  the  same, 
he  transfers  the  debts  and  services  of  the  peones  upon  it  to 
the  purchaser,  and  to  him,  then,  their  labors  belong,  as  to 
the  first.  As  before  said,  the  state  of  a  peon,  though  nomi- 
nally free,  is  worse  than  that  of  a  slave  in  the  United  States; 
this  is  true  for  several  reasons  : 

1st.  They  are  in  every  respect  equal  in  duration  of  servi- 
tude, both  being  for  life. 

2d.  Many  slaves  can  earn  as  much  money  for  themselves 
severally,  in  the  course  of  a  year,  as  the  wages  of  a  peon 
amount  to  ;  some  more,  some  less. 

3d.  Every  slave  has  a  far  better  habitation  than  a  peon, 
and  has  a  full  supply  of  bread  and  meat,  which  last  the 
peon  cannot  often  get ;  and  has  besides  as  good  an  opportu- 
nity to  raise  vegetables  for  himself  as  the  other. 

4th.  The  slave  is  well  clothed,  together  with  his  family, 


212         SYSTEM  OF  PEONAGE  OR  SERVITUDE. 

with  no  expense  to  himself;  and  the  money  that  he  earns 
can  go  entirely  to  procure  articles  of  gratification  and  com- 
fort ;  while  the  peon  has  to  provide  these  things  himself,  and 
all  his  scanty  allowance  is  consumed  in  it. 

5th.  The  slave  can  trade  where  he  pleases,  and  buy  at  the 
cheapest  rate,  thus  making  his  money  purchase  the  more ; 
while  the  peon  is  compelled  to  buy  of  his  master  at  an  exor- 
bitant price. 

6th.  The  slave,  or  any  of  his  family,  when  sick,  has  the 
attendance  of  the  same  physician  employed  by  his  master ; 
and  every  care  is  taken  for  his  recovery :  for  if  he  should 
die,  the  master  loses  irrecoverably  his  value ;  while  if  the 
peon  is  sick,  his  wife  or  children,  they  get  no  medical  atten- 
dance, for  they  cannot  pay  for  it ;  neither  is  his  recovery  an 
object  of  much  interest  to  his  master,  who,  if  he  dies,  only 
loses  a  small  amount,  very  seldom  over  thirty  dollars,  and 
that  in  goods  that  cost  him  not  over  fifteen. — If  his  wife  or 
children  die,  the  master  loses  nothing. 

7th.  The  slave,  when  old,  is  taken  care  of,  fed  and  clothed 
by  his  master  ;  who,  by  law,  in  the  slave  states,  is  forced  to 
it ;  and  the  old  slave  suffers  not,  neither  does  the  young  one 
look  forward  with  apprehension  of  suffering  to  the  time 
when  he  shall  get  old ;  while  the  master  of  the  peon  is  not 
under  the  slightest  obligation  to  retain  him  in  his  service  a 
single  day ; — by  giving  that  peon  his  debt,  he  discharges  him  ; 
neither  can  he  be  compelled  even  to  contribute  to  his  support. 
— So  much  for  the  free  service  of  the  peones  or  rancheros  of 
Mexico. 

One  thing  more  :  that  is,  the  women  get  no  wages,  and  in 
fact  earn  nothing,  and  are  not  called  into  the  account  of  la- 
bor. The  father  may  sell  the  services  of  his  son  or  daugh- 
ter until  they  are  free  ;  and  such  sale  is  legal  and  binding 
upon  the  minor,  and  is  often  transacted. — As  said  before, 
throughout  Mexico,  this  system  is  the  same. 


CHAPTER     VI. 

NOVEMBER  SOra. — Pay  day  for  our  regiment  had  come  at 
last.  Two  companies  were  paid  off  each  day,  receiving  five 
month's  pay,  or  $100  per  man  :  taking  near  $100,000  for  the 
regiment,  or  $10,000  to  each  company,  including  the  monthly 
pay  of  officers ; — money  now  became  as  plenty  in  the  camp 
as  before  it  had  been  scarce. — It  being  the  turn  of  company 
G  and  H,  this  day  to  be  paid,  early  in  the  morning  we  were 
ordered  to  saddle  up  and  go  into  town.  Every  one  was  in 
line ;  though  for  several  days  back,  many,  when  their  names 
were  called  for  drill  or  fatigue  duty,  had  reported  themselves 
as  sick ;  too  much  so  to  turn  out ;  but  this  morning,  every 
man  was  enjoying  excellent  health. 

The  morning  was  pleasant,  but  the  gulf  breeze  was  very 
strong,  and  blew  the  dust,  as  we  went  into  town,  directly  in 
our  faces ; — with  such  force  were  the  little  particles  of  earth 
and  sand  driven  against  our  faces  and  eyes,  that  a  continual 
stinging  sensation  was  experienced ; — no  one  could  keep  his 
eyes  open  a  moment  together.  (And  here,  reader,  allow  us 
to  state,  that  this  city,  Matamoras,  has  the  strongest  and 
the  steadiest  wind,  and  the  most  of  it,  of  any  place  from 
Maine  to  Yucatan  ;  and  moreover,  that  common  dust  is  re- 
garded as  nothing  here,  though  it  should  be  so  thick  that 
one  could  not  see  his  companion  ten  feet  through  it,  provi- 
ded that  the  wind  is  gentle ;  but  when  the  blustering  ten 
knot  breeze,  as  sailors  would  term  it,  rushes  along  in  irregu- 
lar gusts,  and  lifts  the  sand,  dust,  and  chips,  and  drives 
them  all  round  together,  then  every  one  turns  his  back  to 
it,  to  save  his  face  and  eyes  :  all  are  obliged  to  keep  out  of 

(213) 


214  PARADE  IN  PLAZA. 

it  as  much  as  possible.  Neither  imagine,  reader,  that  this  is 
occasionally  so ;  as,  once  in  a  long  interval,  a  cold  spring 
wind  at  our  own  homes,  comes  rushing  and  whistling  down 
the  roads,  and  through  the  yards,  whirling  dust  and  sand,  lit- 
tle chips  and  leaves  about,  and  throws  them  into  the  win- 
dows and  doors  of  the  cleanly  swept  apartments,  to  the  an- 
noyance of  the  tidy  housekeepers, — for  these  gusts  play  their 
pranks,  and  are  done ;  -but  here,  in  this  blessed  city  of  Mata- 
moras,  it  is  so  all  the  time.  In  any  moment,  from  ten  o'clock 
each  day,  until  sunset,  the  wind  stops  not;  the  dust  flies 
along  the  streets  in  clouds,  obscuring  everything,  and  that 
from  one  end  of  the  day  to  the  other ;  and  every  day  in  the 
dry  season  it  is  the  same  everlasting  dust.  The  people  have 
a  wonderful  facility  in  turning  quickly  round,  to  save  their 
eyes.) — We  were  soon  in  town  ;  and,  to  the  blast  of  the  bu- 
gles, trotted  through  the  streets,  to  the  plaza,  making  the 
crowds  of  Mexicans  clear  out  of  the  way.  Here,  forming  a 
line  across  the  plaza,  we  paid  our  respects  to  the  military 
commander,  by  saluting  with  our  swords; — galloped  round,  in 
files  and  sections,  and  columns — turning,  forming,  scattering, 
re-forming,  &c.,  &c.,  very  much  to  his  gratification,  as  he 
stood  on  a  high  balcony  above,  and  as  much  to  the  annoyance 
of  the  guard  of  infantry,  who  stood  with  arms  presented  below, 
and  to  the  crowds  of  Mexicans  and  Americans  on  the  side- 
walks, who,  on  account  of  the  clouds  of  sand  and  dust  kicked 
up  by  our  horses,  wished  us  at  the  d-v-1,  as  we  heard  some  ex- 
press themselves. — After  this  show  was  over,  a  rapid  move- 
ment took  us  away  from  the  plaza,  and  round  the  corners  of 
several  squares,  to  the  paymaster's  office ;  in  front  of  which  we 
wheeled  into  line  and  halted. — "  Attention  !  squadron  /"  shout- 
ed the  commander. — "  Prepare  to  dismount  /"  Each  man,  dis- 
engaging his  right  foot  from  the  stirrup,  leaned  to  the  left. — 
"  Dismount!"  Every  one  was  on  his  feet,  amid  the  rattle  of 
swords  and  carbines,  and  advanced  to  his  horse's  head,  and 
stood  still. — "  Tell  off  in  Jives,  commencing  at  the  right — tell  off!" 
"  One,  two,  three,  four,  Jive  ;  one,  two,  three,  four,  Jive;"  and  so 
on  the  sound  went  through  the  line.— "  Number  Jive,  hold 
horses!"— The  bridles  of  the  four  were  handed  to  him  of  that 


SCENE  AT   PAY  TABLE.  215 

number.  " Other  numbers,  forward — march! — Halt!"  "Right — 
dress!"  "  Right— face  !"  " Forward— march /"  "Left— turn!" 
The  head  of  the  column  entered,  by  the  turn,  the  lofty  brick 
archway  of  the  building  ;  and  tramp  !  tramp  !  tramp  !  echo 
ed  the  sound  from  the  arches  above,  to  the  measured  tread 
on  the  brick  floor.  The  command  of  "halt!"  sounded  loud 
within:  —  the  column  was  steady  and  still.  "Front!" — In 
an  instant  each  turned.  "  Right — dress! — Every  man  be  here 
wJien  his  name  is  called! — Dismissed F* 

Immediately,  the  names  of  four  sergeants  were  called,  and 
they  proceeded  up  stairs,  and  soon  came  down  with  their 
pockets  crammed  full  of  silver.  Corporals  followed,  and 
came  back  in  the  same  way  ; — then  three  men  went ; — three 
more,  &c.,  &c.  Upon  each  one's  name  being  called  by  the 
sergeant,  he  entered  the  room  and  advanced  to  the  table,  be- 
hind which  sat  the  paymaster,  attended  by  his  clerks  ;  before 
him  was  the  "  pay  roll "  of  the  company,  or  the  list  of  names, 
and  amounts  due  to  each,  made  out  in  regular  form,  on  large 
blanks  furnished  for  each  company.  On  the  table  was  a 
large  quantity  of  silver,  gold,  and  treasury  notes,  piled  up. 
— The  name  being  called,  the  paymaster  glanced  at  the  pay 
roll,  saw  the  amount,  and  handed  out  on  the  table.  The  sol- 
dier quickly  transferred  it  to  his  pocket  and  retired ;  and  the 
next  name  was  called. 

The  scene  below  was  amusing.  As  each  descended,  he  in- 
quired for  all  to  whom  he  was  indebted ;  and  each  one  was 
paying  and  receiving,  and  squaring  accounts,  with  an  abso- 
lute pleasure.  So  long  had  they  been  without  money,  save 
the  little  they  had  borrowed  in  Matamoras,  that  now  the  pos- 
session of  it  was  highly  gratifying.  Every  debt  was  paid 
on  the  spot ;  no  one  tried  to  avoid  them. 

When  all  were  paid,  the  horse  holders  were  changed,  ami 
those  who  had  served  called  in,  and  received  their  pay.  Af- 
ter this,  liberty  of  absence  for  an  hour  was  given  to  all,  to 
go  through  town  and  settle  the  debts  that  they  had  contract- 
ed during  their  stay.  All  went,  and  although  most  of  them 
took  hold  of  a  little  "  John  Barleycorn,"  as  might  be  expect- 
ed, on  their  payment,.yet  very  few  became  intoxicated;  some 


216  SCENE  AT  ALCALDE'S  COURT. 

did,  however,  as  will  be  mentioned  at  the  close  of  the  day. 
— While  out,  one  of  our  messmates  came  across  "  Bartolo," 
the  Mexican  servant  spoken  of  before,  and  immediately  ap- 
prehended and  brought  him  to  the  pay  office. — As  there  was 
no  doubt  of  his  guilt,  we  determined  to  hand  him  over  to  the 
alcalde ;  to  have  him  punished,  as  well  as  to  see  the  course  of 
Mexican  justice.  As  the  alcalde's  court  did  not  open  until 
three  P.  M.,  we  obtained  permission  to  remain  in  town  for 
the  remainder  of  the  day. — The  squadron,  after  having  re- 
assembled, remounted  and  moved  toward  the  camp. — When 
the  time  of  opening  the  court  arrived,  we  proceeded  thither, 
taking  with  us  the  culprit,  Bartolo,  who  was  most  excessive- 
ly alarmed  at  the  idea  of  going  before  the  Mexican  magis- 
trate, and  an  old  French  merchant  accompanying  us,  who 
spoke  English  and  Spanish,  to  interpret  our  charge. — We 
entered  the  room  of  the  alcalde,  and  being  courteously  invi- 
ted by  him,  seated  ourselves  on  the  settees  ranged  around. 
— This  room  was  about  forty  by  twenty  feet,  with  two  large 
perpendicularly  iron  barred  windows  ;  and  two  doors, — one 
opening  on  the  street,  the  other,  opposite,  into  an  interior 
court  or  garden,  thickly  set  with  orange  trees  and  flower  beds. 
At  one  end  of  this  room  was  a  large  table,  covered  with  red 
baize ;  behind  which,  in  an  arm-chair,  sat  the  alcalde.  He 
was  a  dark  complexioned  Mexican  of  about  fifty  years  of  age ; 
neatly  dressed  in  American  style  ;  and  with  an  appearance 
of  courteous  dignity  about  him,  which  made  a  favorable  im- 
pression upon  us. — At  his  left  hand  sat  his  escribiente,  or  sec- 
retary ;  at  his  right  stood  the  dguactt,  (answering  to  our  con- 
stable).— On  the  table  before  him  were  several  volumes  of 
Spanish  law,  and  by  them  lay  his  staff  of  office ;  that  is,  a 
gold-headed  cane,  with  a  tassel  hanging  to  it.  This  is  called 
"  Boston  dc  Justicia"  and  without  it  an  alcalde  is  never  seen. 
—The  alguacil,  too,  had  a  cane,  but  it  was  without  the  tassel 
He  also  had  a  " machete"  or  swprd,  as  an  insignia  of  his  of 
fice. 

Bartolo  was  placed  before  the  table,  and  we  were  called 
upon  for  our  accusation  ;  which  we  made,  of  course,  in  Eng- 
lish. This  was  interpreted  to  the  alcalde  by  the  old  French- 


SCENE  AT   ALCALDE'S   COURT.  217 

man.  After  this,  Bartolo  was  called  upon  for  his  defence, 
which  he  made  in  rapid  Spanish.  This  was  interpreted  to 
us. — He  denied  the  theft,  and  stated  that  he  was  going  out 
to  camp  to  resume  his  duty,  when  he  was  apprehended  by 
us. — Our  answer,  that  he  was  in  a  bye  place,  near  the  mar- 
ket, with  some  trinkets  to  sell,  and  that  he  had  endeavored 
to  avoid  us  ;  and,  moreover,  that  he  had  kept  away,  after  his 
robbery,  for  two  weeks ;  was  interpreted  to  the  alcalde,  in 
his  hearing,  and  he  had  then  no  more  to  say. — The  magis- 
trate, when  the  accusation  and  defence  were  through,  after 
a  short  pause,  sentenced  him  to  be  confined  in  the  prison  for 
one  week,  and  to  labor  on  the  public  streets  for  a  month ; 
and  he  was  immediately  led  off  by  the  alguacil. 

It  appeared  singular,  in  one  view,  to  see  a  Mexican  brought 
up  for  taking  fire  arms,  &c.,  from  the  open  invaders  and 
enemies  of  his  country, — who  now  held  his  native  city  by 
force,  and  who  were  still  taking  other  towns,  and  killing  in 
battle  the  citizens  of  the  country, — to  see  him  brought  be- 
fore a  Mexican  magistrate,  upon  the  accusation  of  those  en- 
emies, and  punished  by  that  magistrate,  acting  under  Mexi- 
can laws,  for  the  same  ; — but  "  might  is  right."  Undoubted- 
ly, had  Bartolo  never  been  found  by  us, — if,  in  after  time,  he 
had  related  the  account  of  his  stealing  these  arms  to  this 
same  alcalde,  that  magistrate  would  have  praised  him  for  it, 
and  told  him  that  it  was  right  and  patriotic  to  deprive  the 
common  enemy  of  all  such  things  possible  ; — but  as  it  was, 
he  punished  him. 

Through  the  interpreter,  the  alcalde  entered  into  conver- 
sation with  us,  until  new  business  took  his  attention.  We 
left  him  as  he  made  a  low  bow,  saying,  "adios,  senorcs"  which 
we  returned.  Mounting  our  horses,  we  took  the  road  for 
camp. 

As  said  before,  some  of  the  men,  after  getting  their  mo- 
ney, drank  too  freely.  When  we  were  passing  out  of  the 
city  by  fort  Paredes,  we  learned  that,  a  few  moments  before, 
one  of  our  men  had  been  drowned. — The  strong  wind  had 
blown  the  hat  off  his  head,  and  carried  it  over  the  bank  of 
the  river  into  the  stream.  He,  being  under  the  influence  of 


218  ABSENTEES  FROM  ROLL  CALL. 

liquor,  went  down  the  bank,  and  plunged  in  to  get  it,  having 
his  heavy  sword  on,  and  his  pockets  full  of  silver.  He  swam 
a  few  strokes  and  sank ; — his  body  had  not  then  been  found. 
Captain  Caswell,  to  whose  company  he  belonged,  and  part 
of  the  company,  were  making  every  endeavor  to  recover  it, 
but  were  unsuccessful. 

December  2d.  The  bugles  called  us  up  in  the  morning 
early,  as  usual,  though  there  was  some  delay  in  forming  the 
lines  for  morning  roll  call ;  for,  the  last  night,  we  had  re- 
ceived the  visit  of  another  "  norther,"  and  the  air  was  cold 
and  chilly  ;  so  much  so,  that  some  of  the  men  preferred  to 
have  their  names  crossed  as  absentees,  than  to  come  out  of 
their  tents  ;  by  this  they  would  be  compelled  to  serve  on  wa- 
gon guard  for  a  day,  attending  the  wagons  into  town,  and 
assisting  to  load  them  with  forage  and  provisions,  and  upon 
their  return,  to  unload  them  ;  but  these  men,  in  thus  pretend- 
ing to  be  so  chilled  with  the  cold,  were  "  possuming,"  as  the 
word  is,  in  camp,  for  deception. — They  grumbled  in  the  hear- 
ing of  the  sergeants  and  lieutenants,  about  being  placed  on 
wagon  guard ;  but  it  was  what  tht?y  secretly  wished  ; — for 
the  duty  was  light,  and  done  in  a  few  moments,  and  by  it, 
they  were  enabled  to  get  into  the  city  and  spend  two  or 
three  hours  agreeably  there ;  and  avoid,  on  the  other  hand, 
the  long  battalion  drill  after  breakfast.  Only  four  men,  as 
said  before,  from  each  company,  beside  this  guard,  are  al- 
lowed to  go  in  one  day. 

There  were  but  two  passways  out  of  the  area  enclosed  by 
the  lake,  and  at  these  were  the  picket  guards  ; — the  sergeants 
of  which  were  very  particular  in  examining  each  man's  writ- 
ten permit ;  but  the  wagons,  each  with  its  guard,  went  in  and 
out  without  being  stopped. 

After  breakfast  the  bugles  sounded  the  saddle  call,  as 
usual,  and  our  horses  were  saddled,  our  arms  buckled  on,  and 
we  soon  were  in  ranks.  The  lieutenant-colonel  was  never 
tired  of  drilling  the  battalion. — He  wanted  it,  if  possible,  to 
excel,  in  precision  of  movement,  the  regular  dragoons  ;  and 
before  we  left  this  camp,  the  dragoons  could  not  equal  us  as 
a  body,  in  evolutions ;  though  sometimes  it  would  happen 


MEXICAN  PLOWS  AND  CARTS.  219 

that  the  men  from  some  cause  or  other,  would  get  careless  ; 
and  finally,  when  in  this  way,  some  difficult  manoeuvre 
would  tie  them  all  up  in  a  snarl ;  and  it  would  be  several 
moments  before  some  of  them  could  find  their  places  again ; 
having  forgotten  their  number  in  platoon  and  in  section. — 
This  was  the  case  to-day ;  the  rear  of  the  column  got  into 
confusion. — The  lieutenant-colonel  drew  up  his  tall,  com- 
manding person  upon  his  horse ;  (he  was,  in  size,  a  small 
Goliah) ;  and,  with  his  sword  above  his  head,  he  swore,  by 
all  that  was  holy,  to  the  effect  that,  if  the  battalion  did  not 
drill  better,  he  would  continue  to  exercise  it  constantly,  until 
the  fires  in  the  "  lower  regions  "  should  burn  down  and  be 
re-kindled  !  The  men  concluded,  from  what  they  had  heard 
of  those  regions,  that  this,  probably,  would  take  a  long  time  ; 
and  that  the  cheaper  way  would  be  to  pay  more  attention 
to  his  immediate  instructions  ;  and  this  they  did  for  the  rest 
of  the  drill,  and  acquitted  themselves  admirably. 

After  the  drill  was  over,  one  of  my  mess-mates  and  my- 
self having  the  day  to  go  to  town,  let  our  horses  remain  sad- 
dled.— Our  permits  from  the  captain,  and  the  signature  of 
the  officer  of  the  day,  at  the  guard  tents,  were  quickly  ob- 
tained ; — we  then  passed  the  guard,  and  being  in  no  hurry, 
stopped  at  the  first  rancho.  The  old  man,  the  owner  of  this, 
was  fixing  a  plow ;  aud  as  all  these,  together  with  other 
farming  tools,  were  alike  in  rudeness  throughout  Mexico,  and 
already  had  much  attracted  our  attention,  they  are  worth  a 
description,  to  show  how  far  behind  the  present  age  of  im- 
provement these  people  are  in  agriculture. 

The  plows  are  similar  to  those  represented  of  the  ancients, 
having  a  long  beam,  one  end  of  which  is  fastened  to  the 
yoke  on  the  foreheads  of  the  oxen,  by  thongs  of  raw  hide ; 
across  the  other  end  is  placed  a  transverse  piece,  the  upper 
part  of  which  is  made  small  and  bent  for  a  handle  ;  the 
lower  part  is  flattened  and  pointed,  to  dig  into  the  ground. — 
That  is  the  whole  of  the  implement,  a  Mexican  plow ; — the 
furrow  that  it  makes  is  but  a  scratch  in  the  ground. — They 
use  but  few  carts ;  these  are  extremely  rude  : — One  long 
piece  of  round  timber  is  the  tongue  and  part  of  the  frame ; 


220  MEXICAN  PRIEST. 

two  other  pieces,  the  length  of  the  body  are  parallel  to  it, 
and  these  are  strongly  pinned  in  their  places,  by  cross  pieces 
large  and  rude  : — crooked  musquit  branches  make  the  sides  ; 
these  are  lashed  firmly  together  by  strips  of  raw  hide ; — all 
this  forms  the  body. — The  axletree  is  large,  and  the  wheels 
are  more  rude  still ; — a  piece  of  live  oak,  or  other  large  tim- 
ber, (which  is  difficult  to  procure),  is  hewed  out,  four  feet 
long,  two  feet  wide,  and  a  foot  and  a  half  thick ;  this  piece, 
so  shaped,  is  cut  down  on  either  end  to  the  thickness  of  four 
inches ;  leaving,  however,  a  protuberance  in  the  centre,  on 
both  sides,  resembling,  in  shape,  the  common  wagon  hub ; — 
through  this  is  the  hole  made  for  the  axletree ; — two  felloes, 
made  very  large,  placed  upon  either  side  of  this  middle, 
wide  piece,  completes  the  circumference  of  the  wheel ; — 
these  felloes  are  confined  to  their  places  by  two  cross  pieces, 
tenoned  through  the  wide  middle  piece,  and  into  the  felloes 
themselves,  and  secured  by  wooden  pins  ; — linchpins  of  wood 
are  put  in,  and  the  cumbrous  concern  is  finished.  But  little 
use  is  made  of  these,  for  almost  everything  is  transported  on 
the  backs  of  mules  and  jacks,  as  we  will  notice  in  the  fu- 
ture pages  of  this  work. — The  oxen  pull  these  carts,  as  the 
plows,  by  a  yoke,  or  a  straight  piece  of  timber,  lashed  by 
strings  of  raw  hide  to  their  horns,  and  in  front  of  these. — 
Their  hoes  are  rough  pieces  of  iron,  one  part  turned  back, 
shaped  like  a  spike,  and  driven  into  the  end  of  a  stick  for 
a  handle ;  every  other  implement  is  of  the  same  style. 

At  this  rancho  we  fell  in  company  with  a  Sacerdote,  priest, 
who  had  come  out  from  town,  and  with  whom  we  rode  in 
company  back.  He  was  dressed  in  a  long  black  robe,  and 
wore  a  singular  shaped  three-cornered  cap.  He  had  learn- 
ed a  little  English,  during  the  time  our  forces  had  been  in 
possession  of  the  city ;  and  with  our  little  Spanish,  we  man- 
aged to  keep  up  a  conversation.  He  was  a  man,  apparent- 
ly, of  education,  and  of  liberal  principles  ;  or  so  he  assumed, 
to  us.  Every  ranchero  that  we  met,  saluted  him  with  the  ut- 
most deference  and  respect.  On  arriving  at  the  city,  at  his 
invitation  we  went  with  him  to  the  cathedral,  a  large  unfin- 
ished church  on  the  plaza,  mentioned  before,  where  we  be- 


FUNERAL   PROCESSIONS.  221 

came  acquainted  with  two  more  of  his  companions.  They 
took  apparent  pleasure  in  showing  us  the  silver  censers,  and 
other  paraphernalia  of  their  worship,  inlaid  with  gold.  They 
said  that  these  were  manufactured  in  New  York.  While 
we  were  there,  two  soldiers  of  the  regulars — Irishmen,  and 
Catholics — came  to  confess  to  them.  This  ceremony  was  at- 
tended to  apparently  in  the  same  manner  as  though  the  sol- 
diers had  been  Mexicans.  After  this,  one  of  the  priests  got 
up,  and  pointing  upwards,  said,  "one  God;:'  and  at  the  same 
time  throwing  one  arm  around  the  Catholic  soldier's  neck, 
and  the  other  on  my  companion's,  he  said,  "  Catolico,  Protcs- 
tante,  d  ?ra'smo"--(Catholic  and  Protestant  are  all  alike).  Whe- 
ther he  believed  this  or  not,  however,  is  uncertain. — These 
priests  are  not  allowed  to  marry,  by  the  tenets  of  their  faith ; 
but  we  were  informed  that  many  of  them  were  surrounded 
by  groups  of  boys  and  girls,  bearing  often  a  strong  resem- 
blance to  them,  who  called  them  tio  (uncle). — We  rose,  and 
left  them  with  the  usual  parting  salutation,  "adios,  senores" 

On  coming  out  to  the  plaza,  we  saw  two  funeral  proces- 
sions entering  it,  by  chance  at  the  same  moment,  from  the 
opposite  sides  ;  and  they  made  with  each  other  a  strong  con- 
trast.— One  was  of  a  deceased  Indiana  soldier. — The  coffin 
was  in  one  of  the  government  carts,  slowly  proceeding  to 
the  grave-yard  ;  behind  this,  were  a  drummer  and  two  fifers ; 
they  were  playing  the  melancholy  notes  of  the  "  Dead  March," 
while  with  slow  and  measured  step  came  the  escort,  of  the 
company  to  which  the  deceased  had  belonged.  Every  passer- 
by stopped,  as  the  procession  in  order  moved  on. 

The  other  was  of  a  Mexican  soldier  who  had  been  wound- 
ed at  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  and  who  had  lingered  until  this 
time. — This  procession  was  headed  by  three  Mexicans,  with 
clarionettes,  who  played  quick  and  lively  music ;  while 
the  whole  moved  on  helter-skelter,  having  no  order,  as 
fast  as  the  bearers  could  hurry  on  the  bier.  These  set  it 
down  when  tired,  and  others  took  their  place.  Near  the  bier 
followed  a  Mexican,  in  a  white  shirt  and  pantaloons,  with  a 
red  sash  around  his  waist.  He  had  a  large  bunch  of  rockets 
under  his  arm — called  by  them  cuetas, — a  brand  of  fire  in  one 


222  MATAMORAS  CITY  PRISON. 

hand,  and  a  cigar  in  his  mouth.  Every  moment  or  two  he 
touched  a  rocket  to  the  brand,  and  threw  it  from  him; — these 
exploded  loudly,  and  seemed  to  us  an  odd  accompaniment  to 
a  funeral.  Their  rapid,  irregular  movements,  soon  brought 
them  to  the  entrance  of  the  church,  where  they  halted  a  mo- 
ment, and  the  rocket  bearer  discharged  two  or  three  more  of 
the  noisy  articles  in  the  same  way,  and  then  all  entered. — 
We  followed. — The  bier  was  set  down,  and  the  priest  went 
through  a  service  in  a  rapid  way,  as  fast  as  he  could  speak, 
ending  it  by  shaking  from  a  chalice  a  quantity  of  holy  water 
on  the  coffin ;  which  was  then  again  taken  up;  and  with  the 
same  irregularity,  and  explosion  of  crackers,  hurried  off  to 
the  grave-yard.  Shortly  afterward,  the  funeral  of  a  child 
came  in  the  same  way,  save  that  the  coffin  was  covered  with 
artificial  flowers,  and  borne  on  the  shoulders  of  one  of  the 
attendants. — As  many  crackers  were  fired,  the  same  service 
was  chattered  through,  and  in  the  same  manner  they  hurried 
off  to  the  place  of  interment. 

We  left  the  church  and  visited  the  prison,  opposite,  over 
the  plaza.  A  Mexican  soldier,  with  his  musket,  stood  at  the 
entrance,  as  sentinel.  Stepping  aside,  he  allowed  us  to  pass 
through  the  dark  entrance  to  a  heavy  door,  where  stood  an- 
other. This  one  opened  the  door,  and  we  passed  into  the 
prison  yard. — The  prisoners  were  not  confined  in  separate 
rooms,  neither  were  they  engaged  at  any  labor,  but  were 
turned  into  this  yard,  (with  a  few  rooms  opening  into  it,)  like 
wolves  in  a  den  ;  and  a  precious  looking  set  of  scoundrels 
they  \vere.  Of  all  the  malignant  passions  of  the  human 
heart  ever  showed  in  countenances,  here  were  representa- 
tions.— Most  of  these  scamps  were  engaged  in  playing  monte 
with  an  old  pack  of  Mexican  cards,  on  the  brick  floor. — In 
one  room  was  a  heavy  pair  of  stocks,  in  which  the  culprits 
were  confined,  by  their  hands,  feet,  or  heads — though  none 
were  thus  confined  at  this  time. — We  soon  saw  enough 
of  these,  and  rapping  at  the  heavy  door,  the  sentinel 
from  within  the  passage  opened  it,  and  we  passed  out.  As 
we  did  so,  the  chain-gang  of  those  criminals,  who  had  been 
at  work  on  the  streets,  went  in.  Proceeding  by  the  other 


STORES   IN  THE  CITY.  223 

sentinel,  we  were  in  the  open  air  again ;  which,  if  it  was 
windy  and  dusty,  was  far  preferable  to  the  stiller  atmos- 
phere of  that  "den  of  thieves." 

We  passed  to  the  stores,  of  which  there  were  more,  having 
larger  assortments  of  English,  French,  and  American  goods, 
than  we  had  been  aware  of.  The  prices  of  goods,  at  this 
time,  were  not  more  than  ten  or  fifteen  per  cent,  over  those 
of  New  Orleans.  Every  article  of  comfort,  and  most  of  lux- 
ury, could  here  be  found. — We  purchased  a  few  things  of 
the  Mexican  clerks,  and  remounting,  leisurely  passed  out  to- 
wards camp,  with  the  wind  and  clouds  of  dust  at  our 
backs. 

(Taking  the  climate,  health,  and  situation,  Matamoras 
would  be  a  pleasant  place  in  which  to  reside,  but  for  this 
ceaseless  wind,  and  ever  driving  clouds  of  sand  and  dust 
by  day;  and  at  night  one's  slumbers  being  disturbed  by 
the  barking,  howling,  and  fighting  of  numberless  dogs,  of 
all  sizes  and  tones  of  yelling,  without,  and  the  attacks  of 
myriads  of  fleas  within.) 

Upon  returning  to  camp,  this  evening,  we  saw,  as  we  en- 
tered the  pass  by  the  picket  guard,  a  large  crowd  of  men 
gathered  in  front  of  the  camp,  on  the  parade  ground ;  and 
the  bursts  of  laughter  that  arose  from  them,  showed  that 
they  were  highly  amused.  On  coming  near,  we  saw  two 
Mexican  horsemen,  who  were  going  at  a  rapid  rate  over  the 
area. — Riding  up,  we  recognized  our  old  friend,  the  Mexi- 
can of  the  rancho,  and  one  of  his  peones,  in  an  exciting 
race.  The  young  Mexican  was  on  a  wild  horse,  that  had 
been  bought  by  one  of  our  men  :  while  the  old  man  was  on 
a  trained  horse  of  his  own,  and  his  lasso  was  on  the  other's 
neck,  restraining  him  ; — but  the  peon  not  being  able  to  man- 
age the  steed,  the  old  man  took  his  place,  giving  to  him  the 
lasso. 

After  mounting  the  horse,  which  was  a  difficult  feat,  the 
old  chap  plunged  his  spurs,  with  their  long  rowels,  deep  into 
his  side.  He  sprung  like  a  deer  into  the  air,  then  reared  on 
his  hind  feet ; — the  old  man,  not  in  the  least  disconcerted, 
laid  the  butt  of  his  heavy  whip  on  the  animal's  head,  with 


224  BREAKING  A  WILD  HORSE. 

blows  so  rapid  and  vigorous,  that  he  was  soon  down  ;  but 
as  his  head  came  down,  his  heels  went  up,  with  quick  re- 
peated kicks,  and  endeavors  to  throw  his  rider  off;  but  these 
were  with  no  success  ;  for  the  whip  was  turned  to  the  rear 
with  such  vigor  and  effect,  that  these  efforts  were  stopped ; 
and  at  the  same  time,  the  long  spurs  were  pressed  repeatedly 
into  his  side,  till  the  blood  flowed  in  streams. — The  furious 
horse  struck  his  fore  feet  upon  the  ground,  and  foamed  at 
the  mouth ;  with  rapid  motions  he  bit  at  the  old  man's  legs 
on  either  side  of  him,  quick  as  thought ;  but  the  rider  was 
wide  awake  ;  for,  equally  quick,  came  the  loaded  whip 
against  his  jaws  on  that  side,  accompanied  Avith  another 
plunge  of  the  spur ;  and  as  quick  on  the  other  side,  as,  in 
an  instant  he  snapped  around  in  that  direction; — this  was  re- 
peated until  the  animal  was  frantic  with  rage.  He  bled 
freely  at  the  mouth,  from  the  checks  of  the  severe  bit,  and 
the  bloody  foam  was  thrown  all  around ; — the  sweat  ran  in 
streams. — He  stopped;  his  eyes  flashed;  the  spurs  were 
again  drove  in; — he  leaped  high,  and  burst  away  for  a  few 
yards,  but  was  thrown  on  his  haunches  by  the  bit ; — recov- 
ering, he  made  three  long  plunges,  and  throwing  himself 
on  the  ground,  rolled  over  so  quickly,  that  it  was  a  won- 
der that  the  old  man  escaped  being  caught ;  but  he  was  on 
his  feet,  and  kicking  the  horse  in  the  face,  by  the  time  he 
was  over.  The  animal,  while  down,  bit  again  at  him,  as  be 
endeavored  to  get  the  lasso  in  his  mouth,  and  succeeded  in 
biting  a  piece  from  his  thumb. 

It  was  now  the  old  man's  turn  to  be  furious  ;  he  jumped 
at  the  horse  and  stamped  his  head,  and  ground  his  eyes  with 
his  heels  ;  kicked  and  whipped  him,  regardless  of  the  en- 
deavors of  the  exasperated  animal  to  bite,  and  to  kick  him 
also  ; — beating  him  so  severely  that  he  was  soon  on  his  feet 
again ;  and  then  he  began  to  tremble  in  every  limb ;  and 
shortly  eyed  his  antagonist  with  an  expression  of  great  fear : 
— he  was  conquered.  The  young  Mexican  then  mounted 
him,  and  in  company  with  the  old  man  on  the  other,  rode 
rapidly  over  the  whole  ground  ;  finally  taking  him  away  to 
the  rancho,  to  give  him  the  second  lesson  when  he  was  rest- 


SKILL  IN  USING   THE   LASSO.  225 

ed. — Their  price  for  breaking  this  horse  was  but  two  dollars. 
(The  lasso  here  mentioned  is  an  indispensable  accompani- 
ment to  the  mounted  Mexican ; — it  is  a  long  hair  or  hide 
rope,  with  a  slip  noose  at  one  extremity  ; — the  other  made 
fast  to  the  saddle  ; — is  often  from  sixty  to  eighty  feet  in 
length  ;  and  the  noose  they  can  throw  over  the  horn  of  an 
ox,  or  head  of  a  man  or  horse,  either  when  stationary,  or 
when  running  or  dodging,  with  never  failing  skill ;  and  not 
only  so,  but  we  often  saw  them  throw  it  upon  the  feet  of 
horses,  \vhen  they  were  in  rapid  motion.  How  this  was 
done,  we  could  not  understand ;  but  still,  we  saw  it  done 
again  and  again.  To  satisfy  our  curiosity,  these  rancheros 
would  catch  a  running  horse  by  a  fore  foot  or  a  hind  one,  as 
we  wished,  and  never  missed,  although  the  animal  might  be 
going  at  full  speed.) 

As  the  Mexicans  left  the  camp,  the  buglers  took  their  usual 
station  on  the  parade  ground,  and  their  notes  struck  up  clearly 
for  the  daily  "dress  parade." — This  parade  never  was  neglect- 
ed, while  we  remained  at  this  encampment,  for  a  single  day ; 
and  is,  by  the  army  regulations,  enforced  in  observance,  upon 
all  regiments  in  camp  or  garrison;  and  it  came  so  frequently, 
a  description  of  it  may  not  be  amiss. 

The  bugles  sounded,  and  every  one  quickly  left  the  ground 
and  running  to  the  lines  of  their  companies,  seized  the  car- 
bines and  rifles. — The  voices  of  the  orderly  sergeants  could 
be  heard  over  the  camp,  calling  their  men  to  fall  into  line. 
The  officers  belted  on  their  swords,  but  proceeded  at  more 
leisure;  while  the  sergeants  called  the  rolls  of  each  company ; 
— then,  counting  them  off  in  twos,  formed  them  into  double 
file  by  the  command,  "  Form  ranks — march!  "  at  which  every 
No.  2  stepped  behind  his  No.  1. — They  were  then  faced  to 
the  right,  and  marched  to  the  parade  ground  by  the  ser- 
geants, where  the  bugles  were  still  playing. — Here  they  fell 
into  line,  in  order  of  battle,  with  ordered  arms ;  the  officers 
placed  themselves  four  paces  in  front ;  the  lieutenant-colo- 
nel and  major  took  their  places  six  paces  in  front,  all  with 
their  swords  drawn ;  the  adjutant  on  the  right,  and  the 
colonel  in  front  of  all  about  twenty-five  or  thirty  paces. — 
The  whole  being  so  placed,  the  buglers  from  the  right  passed 
15 


DRESS  PARADE. 

down  in  front,  playing,  and  came  round  in  the  rear  to  their 
places  again  and  ceased  ;  the  line  was  still. — The  adjutant 
then,  from  the  right,  stepped  two  paces  to  the  front,  turned 
and  commanded,  "Attention!  Shoulder — arms!  Prepare  to 
open  ranks!  To  the  rear — Open  order!  March!  (At  this 
the  rear  rank  stepped  back  six  paces.)  Right  dress  I  "  Every- 
one cast  his  eyes  quickly  along  the  line  to  the  right,  to  place 
himself  precisely  in  it,  which  he  did  in  an  instant ;  and  then, 
at  the  next  command  of  the  adjutant,  "  Front !  "  turned  his 
eyes  in  that  direction,  not  moving  a  limb,  perfectly  erect. — 
The  officers  in  front  stood  like  statues,  in  the  meanwhile, 
with  their  backs  to  the  line. — When  in  this  position,  the  adju- 
tant left  the  right,  and  advanced  along  the  front  to  the  centre  ; 
suddenly  turned  and  advanced  directly  out  towards  the 
colonel,  and  stopped  about  six  or  eight  paces  in  front  of  him; 
faced  about  to  the  line  again,  and  commanded,  "  Present — 
arms  !  "  The  guns  were  brought  to  a  present,  and  held  in 
that  position  while  the  officers  saluted  with  their  swords. 
— The  adjutant  turned  to  the  right  about,  saluted  the  colonel, 
and  reported,  "The  parade  is  formed;" — then  advanced, 
passed  round  him,  and  halted  on  his  left,  and  in  rear. — 
The  colonel  drew  his  sword ;  touched  his  cap  to  the  line, 
and  ordered,  "  Shoulder — arms  !  "  and  other  commands,  for  a 
few  moments,  ending  by  "Order — arms  !  "  and  sheathed  his 
sword. 

The  adjutant  then  coming  round  the  colonel,  in  front  of  him, 
half  way  between  him  and  the  line  of  officers,  commanded, 
"First  sergeants  to  the  front  and  centre'1''  (at  this,  each  orderly 
sergeant  stepped  out  from  the  ranks  two  paces,  and  faced  to 
the  centre) — "march!"  They  moved  inward,  where  in  a 
short  space,  the  two  inner  ones  met,  facing  each  other,  and 
halted  in  that  position;  the  others  came  up  behind  them 
from  each  flank,  and  halted  in  the  same  manner : — "Front 
—face  !  Report !  "  Each  one,  beginning  on  the  right,  re- 
ported number  present  of  each  company,  and  number  absent, 
cause,  &c.  The  command  was  then  given,  "First  sergeants — 
Outward  face  !  To  your  posts — march  !  "  They  returned  and 
^uickly  took  their  places  in  line. 

The  adjutant,  facing  about,  advanced  towards  the  colo- 


DRESS   PARADE.  227 

nel,  halted,  saluted,  and  made  his  report  of  numbers  of  each 
company,  as  reported  by  sergeants. — If  any  orders  were  to 
be  read,  he  again  faced  the  line,  and  commanded,  "Atten- 
tion to  orders !  "  then  read  them ;  and  after  finishing,  an- 
nounced, "  The  parade  is  dismissed ;  "  but  the  line  did  not 
move. — The  adjutant  stepped  forward  and  placed  himself  in 
the  line  of  officers  ;  they  returned  their  swords,  faced  in- 
wards, and  closed  upon  him;  he  commanded,  '•'•Front— face! 
Forward — march  I  "  (all  of  them  moved  towards  the  colonel, 
to  within  six  paces) ;  " Halt !  "  All  halted,  and  saluted  the 
colonel  by  touching  the  cap  ;  the  line,  in  the  meantime,  per- 
fectly steady  in  the  two  ranks,  six  paces  apart. — As  soon  as 
the  caps  were  touched,  each  orderly  sergeant  stepped  in 
front  of  his  company,  and  commanded,  "Attention — company! 
Carry — arms  !  Close  order — march  !  "  (the  rear  line,  by  six 
steps,  closed  upon  the  front,  and  halted)  ;  "Right — -face!  For- 
ward— march  !  Right — turn  !  "  and  each  moved  off  for  its 
own  line  of  tents,  under  the  sergeants,  leaving  the  officers  to 
their  conversation  with  the  colonel.  Arriving  there,  the  ser- 
geants commanded,  "Halt !  Front — -face  !  Right — dress  ! 
Dismissed  !  "  and  every  man  broke  for  his  tent,  put  up  his  gun, 
and  looked  out  for  his  supper. —  And  thus,  word  for  word, 
and  movement  for  movement,  every  day,  at  the  same  hour, 
was  the  dress  parade  ; — when  well  done,  it  presented  a  fine 
appearance. 

December  IQth.  An  interval  of  a  week,  in  the  course  of 
the  journal,  here  takes  place. — That  \veek,  like  those  which 
had  gone  before  it,  while  here  at  camp  Ringgold,  had  been 
entirely  occupied  by  the  field  officers  in  drilling  the  men, 
and  exercising  the  horses,  to  cavalry  manoeuvres ;  and  in 
accustoming  them  to  the  noise  of  the  charge. 

The  health  of  the  regiment  had  continued,  in  general, 
good ;  but  some  few  had  been  discharged  and  sent  home  on 
account  of  continued  sickness  ;  while  some  others  had  been 
mustered  in  service  in  each  company  ; — some  of  these  were 
old  soldiers,  who  had,  from  time  to  time,  been  discharged 
from  the  regular  army,  by  reason  of  the  expiration  of  their 
term  of  service  ;  others  had  came  with  us  as  teamsters,  &c., 
or  had  been  living  in  Matamoras.  One  young  man,  by  the 


228          ARRIVAL  OF  GENERAL  PATTERSON. 

name  of  Hill,  gave  no  account  of  himself.     He  joined  Good 
now's  company,  and  of  him,  hereafter,  there  will  be  occasion 
to  speak. 

One  man  of  the  regiment,  a  Dutchman  named  Wiley,  had 
deserted,  and  gone  over  to  the  enemy  ;  seduced,  no  doubt, 
by  some  of  his  countrymen  who  had  been  settled  here  for  a 
long  time.  We  thought  for. several  days  that  he  had  been 
murdered  by  those  small  parties  of  the  enemy,  who  were 
hanging  round  us ;  but  circumstances  convinced  us  that  he 
had  deserted.  Many  murders  and  assassinations,  in  and 
around  the  city,  had,  in  the  meantime,  been  committed ;  but 
none  of  our  regiment  fell  by  the  knife  of  the  assassin,  though 
several  had  been  attacked,  and  some  wounded. 

Nothing  had  taken  place  in  town  of  note,  in  this  interval, 
save  the  arrival  of  Major  General  Patterson,  from  Camargo, 
and  the  parade  and  salutes  of  cannon  consequent  on  such 
an  event.  The  men  of  the  regiment  were  much  elated  at 
his  arrival,  knowing  it  to  be  in  preparation  for  a  march, 
which  all  were  anxious  to  make ;  having  become  tired  of 
camp. 

The  days  passed  off  well  enough,  for  there  was  so  much 
drilling  and  parade,  that  there  remained  no  opportunity 
for  idleness,  to  cause  time  to  hang  heavy.  The  evenings, 
however,  went  not  so  rapidly  ;  and  to  occupy  them,  the 
men  soon  fell,  almost  universally,  to  gambling,  having  now 
plenty  of  the  means.  After  night,  it  was,  throughout  the 
camp,  one  large  gambling  establishment;  where  every  game 
of  chance  or  skill  that  was  known  by  any,  was  carried  on. — 
The  genius  of  gambling  infected  very  many  \vho  had  nevef 
done  any  of  it  before.  It  was  surprising  to  see  the  num- 
ber of  chuck-a-luck  games. — Here,  behind  the  rows  of  tents, 
were  three  chuck-a-luck  tables,  near  together ; — each  one 
was  the  gate  of  a  wagon  body,  supported  by  a  flour  barrel. 
The  figures  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6  were  chalked  out  on  this,  or  six 
cards  were  laid  down  of  those  numbers  of  spots.  The 
dealer  stood  by  it,  a  candle  in  his  left  hand  and  the  dice 
box  in  his  right,  shaking  and  turning;  while  the  crowd 
before  him  were  pressing  up  :— «  I'll  bet  half  a  dollar  on  the 
5,"  said  one,  as  he  put  down  the  half  on  the  figure  ; — rattle — 


GAMBLING   SCENE  IN  CAMP.  229 

rattle — down  came  the  box ; — was  lifted  ; — of  the  three  dice, 
two  of  them  lay  with  their  "5"  side  up. — "  Good,"  he  ex- 
claimed, "  Give  me  a  dollar  now,  old  hoss  ! — I'm  the  boy  to 
bet ; — three  dollars  on  the  six,"  as  he  threw  down  that  sum 
on  the  figure  ; — rattle — rattle — down,  with  a  pounce,  the  box 
came  again  ;  all  were  silent  and  looked  with  interest.  As 
it  was  lifted,  one  six  was  up : — "  Didn't  I  tell  you  so,"  he 
shouted ;  "  shell  me  out  three  dollars,  old  partner ;  I  only 
came  to  break  your  bank  ;  whoop  ! "  "  Break  away,"  said 
the  dealer  ;  "  what  figure  will  you  bet  on  now  ?  "  "I 
don't  know;  shake  the  box."  The  dealer  shook  it,  and 
striking  it  down,  remained  with  his  hand  upon  it,  looking 
earnestly  at  the  better  in  whose  favor  liick  now  ran  ;  while 
he,  in  the  meantime,  was  leaning  over  the  board,  looking 
from  the  ace  to  the  six,  and  back  again,  shaking  the  dollars 
in  his  hand,  as  he  remained  uncertain  upon  which  to  bet. — 
"  I'll  go — what's  your  limit  ?  "  "  ten  dollars,"  said  the  dea- 
ler;— "six — dollars — on — the — ace,"  and  carefully  put  the 
twelve  half  dollars  on  the  "  1,"  and  drew  his  breath  slow 
and  still ;  while  every  one  around  leaned  over,  pressing  one 
another,  to  see  the  dice,  as  the  box  was  lifted. — "  Two  aces," 
shouted  the  whole  with  one  voice,  that  brought  many  more 
around ;  (for  all  were  fond  of  excitement,  and  took  part  in 
their  feelings  with  the  better.)  "  Two  aces,"  shouted  he,  as  he 
jumped  up  in  the  air,  and  came  down  with  a  yell ;  "  I  knew 
it.  Now,  old  hoss,  you  will  particularly  oblige  me  by  shell- 
ing out  those  twelve  dollars."  "  Here  they  are,"  said  the 
dealer,  as,  with  a  sober  look,  he  counted  out  twenty-four 
halves,  and  passed  them  over  to  him.  "  Yes-sir-ee,"  said 
he,  with  a  bend  over,  and  a  circular  motion  of  the  right  fist 
toward  them  ;  "  now,  old  partner,  shake  that  box  again  ; — 
there  ; — shake  it  up  lively  ; — now  down."  The  box  was 
standing,  the  dice  under ;  the  crowd  eagerly  leaning  over, 
many  predicting  that  he  would  win  again,  and  many  that  he 
would  lose. — He  was  uncertain,  and  moved  his  hand  with 
ten  dollars  in  it  over  the  board,  over  which  he  stooped  with  an 
anxious  expression. — Slowly  he  put  his  hand  on  the  "  5,"  and 
let  the  money  fall  on  it  in  a  pile ;  and  placing  his  arms  akimbo, 
raised  himself  slowly  up,  with  his  eyes  still  on  it.  "  You 


230  GAMBLING  SCENE  IN  CAMP. 

bet  there  ?  "  said  the  dealer.  "  Yes."  Every  lip  was  drawn 
close,  and  every  eye  strained  with  excitement,  as  the  dea- 
ler slowly  lifted  the  box ;  and  "  three  fives,"  with  a  simulta- 
neous yell,  shouted  every  one. — "  Three  fives,  by  G-d,"  said 
the  dealer ;  "  d-m-n  the  luck  ! " — •'  Three  fives !  yaw  !  yaw  ! 
yaw  ! "  yelled  the  better  ;  "  I'm  the  boy  for  betting." — "Three 
fives  ! "  shouted  the  crowd. — "  Three  fives,"  muttered  the 
dealer;  while  the  winner  swore  again  that  he  was  the 
boy. — "  Now,  old  boss,  I'll  thank  you  to  hand  me  over 
sixty  of  them  shining  half  dollars  there  ; — they  look  so  all- 
fernal  pretty,  that  I'm  a  itching  to  get  hold  on  'em." — "  Six- 
ty," said  the  dealer,  "  that's  not  right." — "  Yes  it  is,"  said 
every  one,  in  one  voice  ; — "  three  fives  ; — ten  dollars  bet : — 
give  him  thirty."  "  Well  now,  I  reckon  I'll  just  quit,"  said 
he,  as  he  raked  up  the  half  dollars,  and,  with  a  curious 
look  at  the  dealer,  shoveled  them  into  his  pocket  and  de- 
parted. 

But  while  some  gained,  others  lost ;  and  the  "  banks " 
continued,  in  the  long  run,  to  win.  There  were  many  of 
these.  At  the  left  of  camp  were  about  a  dozen; — on  the 
parade  ground  could  be  seen  twenty  lights,  each  with  its 
group  around  it ;  and  towards  the  hospital  tents  were  as 
many  more ;  while  the  rattling  of  boxes  and  confused 
sounds  could  be  heard  from  each. — In  the  tents  were 
groups  seated  crosslegged,  at  faro,  "  vingt-et-un"  (pron. 
vantoori),  seven  up,  whist,  poker,  euchre,  &c. — Every  game 
was  played  here.  By  listening,  you  might  hear  a  whir- 
ring sound,  at  intervals,  from  a  tent  with  a  green  cloth  at 
the  mouth ;— on  raising  this,  you  saw  a  collection  of  offi- 
cers and  soldiers  round  a  rolette  table,  betting  freely. — 
Here,  in  the  edge  of  a  tent,  sat  a  lieutenant,  dealing  vingt- 
et-un,  on  a  blanket,  to  a  number  around  him ; — money,  in 
piles,  was  changing  hands  rapidly  .—Some  lost,  this  night,  all 
that  they  had  remaining  of  their  wages. 

— Reports  of  contemplated  attacks  upon  the  city  by  Santa 
Anna  and  the  other  Mexican  generals,  were  now  rife  in  city 
and  camp.  The  few  traders  who  came  in  from  the  interior, 
reported  large  forces  assembled  at  Tula,  under  General  Val- 
encia ;  at  San  Luis  under  General  Santa  Anna ;  and  a  force, 


REPORTS  OF   CONTEMPLATED   ATTACKS.  231 

as  some  of  them  said,  of  from  eight  to  ten  thousand  men  under 
Gen.Urrea,  at  Victoria,  the  capital  of  the  state  of  Tamaulipas, 
two  hundred  and  sixty  miles  south-west  from  Matamoras, 
to  make  a  descent  upon  this  place.  These  reports,  so  often 
repeated,  gained  general  belief,  and  so  much  were  the  better 
part  of  the  Mexican  population  impressed  with  a  belief  of 
their  truth,  that  all  who  could,  left  for  the  interior,  taking  their 
effects,  to  avoid  the  scene  of  conflict ;  having  seen  enough  of 
the  effects  of  that,  in  the  May  preceding,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  war. — The  effect  upon  the  troops  here  was,  to 
keep  them  continually  prepared  for  any  emergency  that  might 
happen.  The  guards  in  town  had  been  increased ; — the  ar- 
tillery was  ready,  at  a  moment's  warning  to  act ; — the  gar- 
risons of  forts  Brown  and  Paredes  were  kept  on  the  alert ; — 
the  third  Ohio  infantry,  the  commander  of  which,  Colonel 
Clark,  as  said  before,  was  the  military  governor  of  the  place, 
which  were  encamped  on  the  north,  and  the  third  Indiana 
infantry,  under  Colonel  Lane,  who  were  on  the  east,  were 
under  arms,  and  in  a  state  of  continual  readiness  ;  though  at 
any  moment,  with  or  without  alarm,  it  was  hard  to  find  these 
regiments  in  any  other  way. 

(They  were  well  drilled,  and  were  fine  in  appearance. — 
One  of  them  only  afterward  had  the  opportunity  of  meet- 
ing the  enemy  in  the  open  field; — that  was  the  third  Indi- 
ana ;  which,  by  subsequent  changes  on  the  Rio  Grande,  was 
sent  up  to  Monterey,  and  then  to  Buena  Vista ;  where, 
in  that  long  contested  action,  they  held  their  ground  against 
fearful  odds,  doing  all  that  veteran  soldiers  could  do. — 
The  third  Ohio  infantry  longed  for  the  opportunity  to  distin- 
guish themselves,  as  the  first  regiment  from  the  same  state  had 
at  Monterey  ;  but  by  the  arrangements,  with  the  exception  of 
a  spirited  but  unsuccessful  chase  after  General  Urrea  and  his 
force,  their  lot  always  fell  to  the  garrisoning  of  important 
places.  All  could  not  march  out,  for  a  sufficient  force  must 
be  left  to  guard  the  places  held.  This  duty  of  a  regiment  as 
garrisons  for  captured  cities,  is  always  more  irksome  and  fa- 
tigueing  than  field  service,  though  the  exposure  and  hard- 
ship is  not  as  great.  There  was  not  a  regiment  of  volun- 
teers in  the  field,  but  that  most  heartily  preferred  the  latter 


232  VIGILANCE   OF   THE   REGIMENTS 

to  the  former,  and  heard  their  orders  to  remain  at  a  town, 
while  the  other  regiment  marched  on,  with  reluctance  and 
regret. — The  lot  of  the  first  Indiana  regiment,  under  Colonel 
Drake,  and  the  second  Ohio,  under  Colonel  Morgan,  was  the 
same,  as  well  as  those  of  other  regiments.) 

At  this  date,  these  two  regiments  at  Matamoras  were  all 
the  time  on  the  move.  Our  regiment  of  cavalry  being  the 
farthest  out  from  the  town,  was,  by  the  orders  of  Colonel 
Clark  to  Colonel  Thomas,  ready  for  a  movement  at  a  mo- 
ment's warning,  in  case  the  town  should  be  attacked ; — had 
its  guards,  especially  the  pickets  strengthened,  and  kept 
vigilant;  and  sent  out  scouting  parties  continually.  These 
now  became  heavy  service  upon  ourselves  and  our  horses. — 
The  colonel,  impressed  with  the  importance  of  a  vigilant 
picket,  addressed  in  person,  one  day,  the  guard  drawn  up 
before  him  ;  told  them  of  the  responsibility  of  their  station  ; 
of  the  importance  that  they  should  perform  their  duty  strict- 
ly : — that  during  the  day,  no  one,  save  an  officer  that  they 
knew  to  belong  to  the  encampment,  should  they  allow  to 
pass  in  or  out  without  the  countersign;  but  after  night  they 
were  to  know  no  one,  not  even  himself,  as  an  officer ;  not 
even,  he  remarked,  if  by  moonlight  they  could  see  their 
faces,  or  if,  by  the  sound,  they  knew  their  voices. — Without 
the  countersign,  they  must  not  go  in  or  out. 

The  picket  guard  of  any  force  is  separate  and  indepen- 
dent of  the  camp  guard,  which  surrounds  the  camp  with  its 
chain  of  sentinels  ; — is  composed  of  different  numbers,  ac- 
cording to  the  service  required  ; — is  commonly  stationed  on 
roads  or  passways,  from  a  half  mile  to  one,  two,  three,  or  more 
miles  from  camp  ; — is  composed,  often,  both  of  cavalry  and 
infantry ; — moves  to  the  place  appointed  under  its  officers, 
and  remains  there  for  the  day,  or  night,  or  both  ;  the  men  tak- 
ing turns  during  the  night,  in  sleeping.  They  must  not  leave 
their  posts,  unless  driven  in  by  an  advance  of  the  enemy  ; 
and  in  such  a  case,  the  firing  from  them  immediately  is  heard 
by  the  camp  guard  of  sentinels,  who  also  fire,  and  rush  into 
camp.  This  distant  firing  gives  the  sleeping  infantry  forces 
time  to  rise,  seize  their  arms  and  fall  into  line ;  to  receive 
the  enemy  before  they  can  reach  the  camp ;  and  to  the  cav- 


PICKET  GUARDS.  238 

airy  to  saddle  and  mount  their  horses,  to  repel  the  charge. — 
The  picket  guard  of  our  regiment,  now,  was  stationed  at  the 
pass  between  the  south-eastern  corner  of  the  lake  and  the  river, 
at  the  rancho  about  half  a  mile  from  camp  ;  (see  plate  of  Mat- 
amoras,page  194). — A  part  of  the  camp  guard  was  stationed 
at  the  other  pass,  opposite. — The  picket  was  strict ;  but  after 
a  while,  the  officers,  going  in  and  out  continually,  to  town 
and  back,  were  always  permitted  to  go  through  at  the  pass, 
without  the  countersign,  day  or  night;  though,  as  said  before, 
this  had  been  forbidden.  Last  night,  however,  three  of  them 
got  caught  upon  this  ; — it  happened  in  this  way  : 

On  yesterday,  Colonel  Thomas  being  very  much  en- 
gaged, Lieutenant-colonel  Allison  gave  the  countersign  to 
the  officer  of  the  day,  at  guard  mounting. — This  was,  for  the 
day,  the  word  "  Tennessee." — The  colonel  went  into  town 
about  eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon. — After  the  drills  of 
the  day,  and  the  dress  parade  at  evening,  Lieutenant  E.  S. 
Smith,  acting  adjutant  of  the  regiment,  in  company  with  an- 
other of  the  lieutenants,  went  also,  to  attend  a  Mexican 
"fandango,"  or  dance. — Clearing  out  in  a  hurry,  they  never 
thought,  or  cared  about  the  countersign  ;  but  full  of  the  idea 
of  anticipated  pleasure,  they  dashed  away,  and  being  known 
by  the  guards,  who  stood  on  one  side,  with  presented  arms,  they 
did  not  even  check  their  horses,  but  continued  on  at  a  mod- 
erate canter,  which,  in  a  little  while,  brought  them  to  town. 
Putting  up  their  horses  by  the  market  house,  at  Wheeler's, 
(an  American  who  kept  a  public  house,  and  who  will  be  re- 
membered by  every  soldier  who  has  been  at  Matamoras), 
with  instructions  to  have  them  ready  about  midnight,  the 
two  went  to  the  house  of  the  fandango  ;  and  paying  two  dol- 
lars each  for  their  admission  tickets,  were  ushered  into  a 
large  room,  brilliantly  lighted,  and  crowded  with  company; 
mostly  volunteer  and  regular  officers,  some  Mexican  gentle- 
men, and  many  scnoritas  ;  whose  conversation,  in  broken  En- 
glish, was  very  interesting  to  our  officers,  to  whom  they  ap- 
peared most  charming. 

The  music  was  good ;  the  dancing  rather  slow  and  life- 
less ; — but  their  buoyancy  of  spirit  made  it  all  right ;  and, 
in  a  flow  of  hilarity  and  mirth,  the  evening  passed  away, 


234  MEXICAN  FANDANGO. 

and  midnight  approached. — Belting  on  their  swords  again, 
with  many  polite  bows  and  flourishes,  and  expressions  of 
farewell,  of  " adios, seiiorita"  to  one,  and  " adios,  seftorita"  to 
another,  and  so  on  to  all,  who  lisped  out  in  their  finest  tones, 
"  adios,  senor  capitan"  to  each,  (for,  with  them,  every  officer  is 
a  captain),  they  left  the  house,  much  pleased  with  the  even- 
ing's entertainments,  and  with  themselves. 

When  they  stepped  into  the  street,  all  was  still.  A  bright 
moonlight  was  shed  down  upon  the  city.  Nothing  could  be 
heard,  save  the  dogs,  of  every  tone  of  howl,  bark  and  yell, 
which  were  keeping  up  their  nightly  concert.  They  passed 
on  through  the  market  place,  and  by  the  numerous  sentinels 
at  the  corners,  without  interruption,  to  Wheeler's  ; — and  be- 
ing joined  by  Colonel  Thomas,  mounted  their  horses,  and  set 
out  for  the  camp.  They  interested  the  colonel  with  their  re- 
lation of  the  fandango,  and  all  being  in  high  spirits,  many 
jokes  were  passed  as  they  rode  along. 

On  the  picket  guard,  at  the  pass,  that  night,  was,  among 
others,  one  of  company  G,  whose  name  was  Betts.  Now, 
Betts  was  a  small  man,  with  an  intelligent  countenance, 
keen  eye,  and  pleasant  appearance ;  fond  of  a  joke,  and 
prided  himself,  at  all  times,  in  performing  strictly  the  duties 
of  a  soldier,  in  every  particular. — He  had  heard  the  colonel's 
commands  to  the  guard,  mentioned  before  ;  and,  as  this  party 
was  approaching,  he  was  walking  the  narrow  pass,  to  and 
fro,  with  his  loaded  carbine  at  a  support. — His  comrades 
were  at  a  little  distance,  soundly  asleep  around  the  guard 
fire  ;  for  the  night  was  cold.  The  officer  of  the  guard  had, 
against  the  line  of  his  duty,  left  the  picket,  and  gone  into 
the  tents  of  the  camp  guard,  as  said  before,  about  half  a 
mile.  The  white  rows  of  tents  shone  in  the  moon-light  be- 
yond ;  but  there  were  no  lights  there,  for  all  were  asleep. — 
Betts  heard  the  sound  of  the  horses'  hoofs  of  the  coming 
party,  before  he  saw  them.  He  stood  erect.  They  came 
nearer,  the  two  lieutenants  in  front.  "Who  comes  there?" 
he  challenged,  in  a  quick,  loud,  and  distinct  voice,  that  brought 
them  to  a  halt  in  an  instant.  "  Friends,"  was  the  reply. 
'  Halt !  Advance,  friends,  and  give  the  countersign  !"  "  We 
have  not  got  it.  You  know  us  :  I  am  Lieutenant  Smith,  act- 


OFFICERS   CAUGHT   WITHOUT   THE  COUNTERSIGN.  235 

ing  adjutant,  and ."     "  Halt,  and  remain  where  you  are," 

quickly  replied  the  sentinel,  with  a  very  significant  motion 
towards  the  lock  of  his  carbine.  The  two  were  astonished ; 
while  the  colonel,  behind,  hearing  this,  was  much  amused, 
and  drew  his  horse  up,  to  see  it  out. — The  adjutant  com- 
menced to  speak  again,  but  the  sentinel  would  hear  nothing 
but  the  countersign  ;  and  what  that  was,  they  knew  not. — 
Colonel  Thomas  knew  Betts  by  his  voice,  and,  beside, 
could,  in  the  moonlight,  see  him  plainly  ;  and  was  really 
pleased  to  see  his  faithful  performance  of  orders. — After  a 
pause  of  some  moments,  in  which  he  thought  the  lieutenants 
had  been  sufficiently  troubled  for  not  having  the  countersign, 
he  advanced  up  to  their  side.  "  Mr.  Betts,"  said  he,  "  I  am 
pleased  to  see  you  so  prompt  and  decided  in  your  discharge 
of  duty ;  and,  I  trust,  the  lesson  will  not  be  lost  on  these  of- 
ficers ;  for  officers  should  set  an  example  of  military  disci- 
pline to  the  soldiers.  Let  these  gentlemen  in  ;  and  depend 
upon  it,  we  think  much  more  of  you  for  your  firmness." — 
"  Have  you  the  countersign  ?"  said  the  sentinel  to  him,  in  re- 
ply to  this.  "The  countersign — no  ! — it  is  not  necessary  for 
me  to  have  it.  You  know  me ;  I'm  your  colonel."  "  You 
can't  go  in,"  said  the  sentinel,  as  he  drew  himself  up  erect 
before  them. — "  Look  at  me,"  said  the  colonel,  as  he  advan- 
ced out  of  the  shade  of  some  musquit  bushes,  on  the  side  of 
the  road,  into  the  bright  moonlight,  that  played  and  glisten- 
ed on  his  large  epaulettes,  his  broad  gold  lace,  and  the  gilt 
head  and  scabbard  of  his  sword.  "  Don't  you  know  me 
now,  Mr.  Betts  ?" — The  sentinel  coolly  surveyed  him  and  his 
horse.  "  I  might  know  you  in  the  day  time,  but  now  I  do 
not  know  you :  you  cannot  go  in  :  remain  where  you  are." 
"  But  we  must  go  in,"  said  all,  as  they  advanced  their  horses 

up — "  there  will  be  no  harm  ."     Quickly  the  sentinel 

threw  up  his  carbine,  with  his  thumb  upon  the  lock,  and  his 
finger  on  the  trigger,  and  called  out — "  Stop  !  you  are  near 
enough  !" — and  stop  they  did  ; — there  was  danger  in  proceed- 
ing. "Here  is  a  pretty  end  to  a  frolic,"  said  the  adjutant, 
while  the  colonel  looked  stern  with  vexation. — They  turned 
their  horses'  heads  together,  and  held  a  consultation.  "  Where 
is  the  officer  of  the  guard  ?"  said  the  colonel  to  the  sentinel 


236  THE  SENTINEL  ON  PICKET. 

\vho  now  had  turned  to  walking  back  and  forth,  across  tne 
pass  before  them,  and  who  showed  no  disposition  for  conver- 
sation. "  Gone  into  the  camp,"  was  the  reply.  "  Well,  send 
after  him,  then." — "  Should  like  to  accommodate  you,  gentle- 
men, but  can't  leave  my  post." 

Here,  then,  was  a  predicament. — They  dismounted  and  sat 
on  the  ground  holding  their  horses,  waiting  for  the  officer  of 
the  guard. — The  night  was  cool  ;  the  wind  was,  and  had 
been  the  whole  day,  from  the  north. — They  tried  to  laugh, 
but  they  were  too  cold. — They  plead  earnestly  with  the  sen- 
tinel, but  it  was  of  no  avail ;  for  he,  pacing  his  interval, 
would  talk  no  more. — In  about  two  hours,  (which  seemed  ten 
to  them,)  the  officer  of  the  guard,  who  had  been  down  at  the 
camp  guard  fire,  enjoying  himself  finely,  thinking  that  it  was 
time  to  relieve  Betts,  came  up  ;  and  was  astonished  to  find 
the  colonel,  adjutant,  and  a  lieutenant,  sitting  on  the  ground, 
in  the  cold,  without  even  a  blanket,  shivering  as  though  they 
had  the  ague. — He  let  them  in  at  once;  and  they  were  glad 
to  get  to  their  tents,  and  cover  themselves  with  blankets. — 
In  the  morning,  when  meeting  Betts  in  camp,  they  compli- 
mented him  highly  ;  and  he  brought  to  the  colonel's  recollec- 
tion his  previous  order,  that  "  no  one,  not  even  himself,  should 
pass  at  night  without  the  countersign." 

These  reports  of  attack  were  still  kept  up,  and  several 
armed  scouts  and  spies  from  the  enemy  were  seen,  and  some 
of  them  captured. — Murders  were  common,  Americans  usu- 
ally the  victims,  when  caught  exposed. — False  alarms  sev- 
eral times  were  given ;  and  as  these  were  always  attended 
with  much  excitement,  one  will  be  mentioned,  as  a  sample 
— for  all  others  were  pretty  much  the  same. 

A  few  nights  since,  after  an  unusually  pleasant  evening, 
in  which  the  soldiers  of  the  whole  camp  had  remained  up  in 
the  tents,  or  around  the  camp  fires,  much  later  than  usual, 
they  retired  to  rest ;  and  it  being  very  warm,  almost  all  di- 
vested themselves  of  their  outside  clothing. — In  the  tents 
they  lay  thickly,  one  so  close  to  another  that  there  was  no 
room  to  step  between  them — their  heads  on  their  saddles,  as 
usual,  for  pillows. — The  lights  had  been  all  extinguished,  and 
the  fires  burned  down  to  dull  beds  of  coals,  save  the  fire  at 


FALSE  ALARM.  237 

the  guard  tents,  and  the  one  in  the  distance,  at  the  picket. 
The  wind,  coming  round  to  the  north,  blew  cool,  but  not 
enough  so  to  be  felt,  save  by  the  sentinels  that  walked  their 
rounds  near  the  camp  ;  the  picket  beyond,  and  the  mounted 
patrol,  which  was  between  the  picket  and  the  town.  It  was 
quite  cool  for  these ;  but  the  men  so  thickly  stowed  in  their 
tents,  were  sleeping  sweetly.  Suddenly,  from  over  the  lake, 
behind  the  tall  cane,  was  fired  a  full  volley  of  musketry,  fol- 
lowed by  a  few  irregular  guns.  The  report  was  distinct  and 
clear,  on  the  cool  night  air. — Hundreds,  roused  by  it,  lifted 
their  heads  from  their  saddle  pillows,  and  held  their  breath 
and  listened. — In  a  moment  the  bugles  at  the  guard  house 
sounded  loudly  the  alarm  ! — Now  came  a  stirring  scene  :  the 
mounted  guard  came  dashing  in ; — the  picket  formed  itself 
into  double  line  across  the  pass  ; — the  sentinels  were  ordered 
to  their  companies  ; — half-dressed  officers  ran  up  and  down 
the  lines  of  tents,  calling  loudly  to  their  men  to  turn  out,  for 
the  enemy  was  at  hand.  Scores  of  half-clothed  men  rushed 
out  of  the  tents  to  the  coals  of  the  fires,  and  lighted  their 
candles,  and  in  less  than  two  minutes  there  were  hundreds 
of  lights  gleaming  throughout  the  camp,  while  men  were 
hurrying  on  their  clothes  and  arms.  The  second  battalion 
was  forming  on  foot ;  while  the  first  were  throwing  the  sad- 
dles on  their  horses.  Cartridges  were  rapidly  distributed, 
and  the  voices  of  the  officers  were  loudly  heard,  even  above 
the  strains  of  the  bugles ;  with  the  confused  noise  of  many 
hunting  for  various  articles  of  arms  and  horse  equipage,  that 
in  the  busy  moment  could  not  quickly  be  seen. — While  so 
busy,  every  one  for  himself,  expecting  the  enemy  every  in- 
stant to  charge  into  the  camp,  no  one  seemed  at  a  loss ;  and 
in  a  few  moments  all  noise  was  over,  and  the  camp  was  still 
as  before. — The  long  lines  of  horsemen,  fully  armed  and 
ready,  were  drawn  up  on  the  parade  ground ;  the  riflemen, 
at  the  left,  rested  on  their  rifles,  and  all  listened  for  the  ap- 
proach of  the  enemy. 

It  was  surprising  to  see  with  what  quickness  the  whole 
had  been  done. — A  few  moments  before,  all  had  been  sound 
ly  asleep  in  the  silent  camp  ;  then  came  the  volley ;  then  im 
mediately  the  alarm;  then  the  sudden,  noisy  commotion  of 


238  FALSE  ALARM. 

the  camp,  which  was  lit  almost  instantaneously ;  then  the 
rattling  of  arms,  shouting  of  officers,  calling  of  hundreds  of 
voices,  and  running  of  men  in  every  direction,  with  lights 
back  and  forth,  and  hurrying  on  of  arms  and  saddles,  mount- 
ing, forming  lines,  &c.,  &c.  To  one  unpractised,  it  would 
have  appeared  like  complete  confusion  ;  but  here,  in  less 
than  five  minutes,  the  whole  of  the  regiment  were  out  in  the 
darkness,  in  front  of  the  camp,  in  order  of  battle — in  lines 
of  foot  and  horse,  in  perfect  readiness  and  regularity, — not 
leaving  in  the  tents  even  a  "corporal's  guard," — and  here  in 
these  ranks  all  were  silent  as  before  the  alarm;  but  how  differ- 
ent their  state  ! — Then,  their  silence  was  that  of  sweet  sleep ; 
now,  every  man  drew  his  breath  stilly,  and  listened  with  com- 
pressed lips  for  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  who  had  been  so 
bold  as  to  announce  his  coming  by  a  volley,  which  had  induced 
the  belief,  in  the  forming  ranks,  that  the  attacking  force  was 
large. — In  a  few  moments,  the  silence  was  broken  by  an  or- 
der for  forty  men,  from  the  right,  to  proceed  around  the  lake, 
as  a  reconnoitering  party. — These  galloped  off,  and  were 
gone  about  an  hour,  when  they  returned — having  been  in 
the  quarter  whence  the  reports  of  firing  came,  and  seen  no 
enemy. 

During  this  time,  we  had  all  remained  in  the  lines. — After 
they  returned,  we  were  dismissed;  and,  stripping  our  horses, 
divested  ourselves  of  our  arms,  and  again  lay  down  to  sleep ; 
while  the  guards  were  stationed  at  their  posts. 

The  volley  that  caused  the  alarm,  we  knew  must  have 
been  fired  by  some  of  the  scouting  parties  of  the  enemy,  who, 
having  found  our  position,  came  up  behind  the  lake  and  did 
this  to  give  us  the  trouble  of  forming  to  receive  them,  and 
then  cleared  rapidly  away. — If  such  was  their  plan,  they 
certainly  succeeded  in  giving  us  considerable  annoyance. 

December  13//I.  The  force  in  the  city  of  Matamoras,  and 
vicinity,  had  been  increased  by  the  arrival,  from  Camargo, 
of  the  third  regiment  Illinois  infantry,  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  Foreman,  and  the  fourth  regiment,  of  the  same 
State,  Colonel  Baker;  (though  he,  at  the  time,  was  not  pres- 
ent, being  in  Washington  city.  The  regiment  was  under 
the  command  of  its  lieutenant-colonel.)  The  whole  force  of 


REVIEW  OF   GENERAL   PATTERSON'S   DIVISION.  239 

the  troops  here,  were  drawn  out  on  the  llth,  on  the  plain 
west  of  the  city,  and  reviewed  by  General  Patterson.  The 
inhabitants  crowded  outside  the  ramparts,  to  gaze  upon  the 
martial  scene,  and  to  hear  the  music  from  the  bands. — The 
day  was  fine,  the  review  good,  and  the  subsequent  manosu- 
vres, — save  that  the  first  battalion  of  our  regiment,  on  the 
extreme  right  of  the  column,  which  was  about  a  mile  in 
length,  overdone  the  matter,  in  endeavoring  to  show  out  be- 
fore the  general;  and  tied  itself  up,  on  a  rise  of  land,  in  such 
a  confused  knot  or  mass,  as  that,  no  doubt,  the  general  was 
fully  convinced  that  the  officers  thereof  possessed  great  mili- 
tary skill,  in  being  able  to  get  them  right  again.  At  any  rate 
he  was,  from  the  distance,  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  dis- 
play, and  sent  his  aid  to  command  the  battalion  to  its  posi- 
tion in  line  again ; — accompanying  the  order,  it  is  said,  by 
many  complimentary  expressions,  such  as  "  D-mn  'em,  what 
in  h-11  are  they  trying  to  do  !"  &c. ;  while  the  regiments  of 
infantry,  then  formed  over  the  plain  in  hollow  squares,  were 
exceedingly  improved  by  their  view  of  our  extraordinary 
movements. — We  felt  very  much  relieved  when  we  got  back 
into  line  again,  though  all  the  original  numbers  were  chang- 
ed and  lost. — The  lieutenant-colonel  was  exceedingly  morti- 
fied, for  he  had  much  military  pride,  and  beside  that,  knew 
that  his  battalion  could,  and  did,  every  day,  perform  its  evo- 
lutions and  manosuvres  with  an  accuracy  and  precision  of 
movement,  that  could  not  be  excelled  by  any  cavalry  in  the 
service ;  and  now,  on  this,  its  first  appearance  before  the 
general,  to  show  to  such  a  disadvantage,  by  a  confusion  for 
which  he  was  unable  to  account,  was  too  much  for  his  phi- 
losophy.— The  second  battalion  did  well  throughout  the  whole 
review  and  parade.  This  ended  about  three  P.  M.,  when 
each  of  the  regiments  marched  off  to  their  separate  encamp- 
ments. 

On  this  day,  the  13th,  General  Patterson  issued  orders  to 
the  colonels  of  the  third  and  fjourth  regiments  of  Illinois 
infantry,  and  of  our  regiment  of  cavalry,  to  prepare  for  the 
march;  directing  the  third  Ohio  regiment  to  remain  as  the 
garrison  of  Matamoras ;  the  third  Indiana,  Colonel  Lane, 
were  ordered  to  Camargo. — Our  three  regiments,  of  the  divi- 


240  CONTEMPLATED  MOVEMENTS. 

aion  to  march,  amounted  in  number  to  nearly  two  thousand 
men,  of  which  our  own  regiment  composed  nearly  one-half. 

The  march  upon  which  we  were  ordered  now,  was  against 
Victoria,  which  was,  as  has  been  said  before,  two  hundred 
and  sixty  miles  towards  the  south-west. — It  was  part  of  a 
grand  movement  which  had  been  planned  by  General  Taylor, 
before  our  arrival ;  and  which  was  referred  to  in  the  dispatch 
received  by  Colonel  Thomas  from  him,  back  at  Victoria,  in 
Texas,  and  mentioned  in  the  diary  of  October  15th,  as  order- 
ing the  Kentucky  cavalry  to  Camargo,  and  ourselves  to  Mat- 
amoras. — The  true  object  of  this  expedition  was  to  extend 
the  army  in  a  strong  line  of  occupation,  from  Parras,  on  the 
north-west,  through  Saltillo,  Monterey  and  Victoria,  to  Tam- 
pico,  on  the  southeast, — having  General  Wool,  with  his  divi- 
sion of  volunteer  forces,  on  the  extreme  right,  or  north-west, 
at  Parras ;  General  Worth,  with  twelve  hundred  regulars? 
and  eight  pieces  of  artillery,  at  Saltillo  ;  General  Butler  at 
Monterey,  with  two  companies  of  artillery  and  a  battalion 
of  regular  infantry, — having  also  the  forces  in  the  valley  of 
the  Rio  Grande  under  his  command.  These  to  be  left,  were 
nine  regiments  :  the  first,  second,  and  third  Indiana  ;  the  first, 
second,  and  third  Ohio ;  the  first  and  second  Kentucky,  and 
the  first  Kentucky  cavalry. — General  Patterson,  with  his  di- 
vision of  first  and  second  Tennessee,  third  and  fourth  Illinois, 
the  Mississippi,  the  Alabama  and  Georgia  regiments,  were 
to  occupy  the  country  from  Victoria  to  Tampico  ;  while  the 
head-quarters  of  the  army  were  to  be  removed  to  the  latter 
place.* 

After  leaving  the  nine  regiments  mentioned,  under  General 
Butler,  in  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande,  at  Matamoras,  Ca- 
margo and  Monterey,  the  three  divisions  were  to  move  to  the 
southward,  taking  possession  of  the  country  as  they  passed. 
One,  commanded  in  person  by  General  Taylor,  departing  from 
Monterey,  joining  the  other,  under  General  Quitman,  from 
Camargo,  at  Monte  Morelos  ;  and  the  third,  our  own,  under 
General  Patterson,  from  Matamoras. — These  divisions  were 
*o  meet  and  concentrate  at  Victoria. — The  course  for  Tay- 

*  See  General  Taylor's  dispatch,  December  8th,  1840. 


CONTEMPLATED  MOVEMENTS,  241 

lor's  division  was  to  the  south-east ;  for  Quitman's,  nearly 
due  south,  as  far  as  Monte  Morales,  then  south-east ;  and 
for  ours,  as  said  before,  nearly  south-west. 

Now,  reader,  let  us  leave  these  three  divisions  preparing 
for  this  march  upon  Victoria,  and  take  a  retrospective  view 
of  the  operations  of  the  war  elsewhere  carried  on,  from  the 
time  of  the  occupation  of  Matamoras,  after  the  battles  of 
Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  up  to  this  time — near  the 
close  of  the  year  1846, — which  time  had  been  productive  of 
so  many  stirring  events ;  leaving  out,  however,  the  mention 
of  the  battles  and  capture  of  the  city  of  Monterey,  which 
have  already  been  fully  described. 

The  next  chapter,  VII,  will  contain  the  accounts  of  these 
operations  elsewhere  transacted.  At  the  commencement  of 
Chapter  VIII,  we  will  resume  the  narrative,  at  the  point  here 
left,  and  take  up  the  march  of  the  division  under  General 
Patterson  for  Victoria, — giving  its  details  from  day  to  day, 
as  heretofore  we  have  done,  for  the  regiment  alone,  in  its 
march  from  Tennessee  to  this  city  of  Matamoras ;  at  which 
place  now,  for  the  time,  we  leave  it. 


10 


CHAPTER    VII. 

IT  was  now  near  the  close  of  the  year  1846. — The  wai 
between  the  United  States  and  Mexico  had  been  carried  on 
nearly  seven  months.  Let  us  review  the  actions  of  thai 
short  space  of  time. — In  June  previous,  as  said  before,  three 
separate  armies  or  divisions  had,  by  the  government  of 
the  United  States,  been  ordered  to  operate  against  Mex- 
ico. The  southern,  under  General  Taylor,  against  the 
states  situated  to  the  south  of  the  Rio  Grande;  the  cen- 
tral division,  under  General  Wool,  to  move  from  San  An- 
tonio, in  western  Texas,  west,  against  the  states  of  Chihu- 
ahua and  Durango ;  and  the  northern  division,  under  Gen- 
eral Kearny,  from  the  western  part  of  Missouri,  against  the 
states  of  New  Mexico,  and  then  against  California,  on  the 
Pacific. 

Beside  these,  a  strong  force  of  ships  of  war,  under  Com- 
modore Conner,  blockaded  all  the  ports  of  Mexico  and  the 
gulf,  and  from  time  to  time,  attacked  her  seaports  on  her 
eastern  coast ; — while  on  the  Pacific,  another  strong  fleet 
under  Commodore  Sloat,  blockaded  her  western  ports,  along 
her  extensive  coast,  and  took  possession  of  the  towns  in 
Upper  California. 

The  army  of  General  Taylor  had  not  performed  any  action 
of  moment  since  the  capture  of  Monterey,  on  the  25th  of 
September.  The  armistice  of  eight  weeks  there  agreed  upon 
by  the  generals,  Taylor  and  Ampudia,  having  been  abroga- 
ted by  the  government  of  the  United  States,  General  Taylor 
had,  on  the  5th  of  November,  dispatched  a  flag  of  truce  to 
Santa  Anna,  then  commanding  the  Mexican  arm},  inform- 
ing him  of  the  renewal  of  hostilities;  and  on  the  12th  of 

(242) 


CENTRAL  ARMY  UNDER  GENERAL  WOOL.        243 

the  same  month,  General  Worth's  division,  followed  by 
General  Taylor,  marched  for  Saltillo,  the  capital  of  the  state 
of  Coahuila. — This  is  a  beautiful  city,  situated  west  from 
Monterey,  and  sixty-rfive  miles  distant ; — contains  about 
twelve  thousand  inhabitants. — The  rear  guard  of  the  Mexi- 
can army  under  Ampudia  had  just  retired  from  the  place,  as 
the  American  forces  were  marching  upon  it.  No  resistance 
was  offered ; — the  governor  retired,  after  protesting  against 
the  occupation  of  the  country,  and  the  city  was  taken  posses- 
sion of  by  the  division. 

Being  now  in  possession  of  the  capitals  of  Nueva  Leon 
and  Coahuila,  as  well  as  of  the  whole  valley  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  General  Taylor's  next  movement  was  to  be  against 
Victoria,  as  before  mentioned ; — beyond  that,  farther  to 
the  southward,  was  the  strong  and  important  city  of 
San  Luis  Potosi,  at  which  place  was  collected  the  largest 
army  that  Mexico  had,  so  far  in  the  contest,  brought  into  the 
field. 

Let  us  turn  to  the  central  division  under  General  Wool. — 
This  army  was  composed  of  the  following  troops  : 

1st  regiment  Arkansas  cavalry, Colonel  Yell. 

1st        "        Illinois  infantry, "••••Hardin. 

2d         "  "  « "••••Bissell. 

Battalion  infantry ;  three  companies  of 
U.  S.  6th  regiment,  and  one  of  Ky. 
volunteers,  Captain  Williams, Major  Bonneville. 

One  company,  (B),  4th  artillery,  with  a 

battery  of  eight  brass  pieces, Capt.  Washington. 

One  company  pioneers, " Lee.. 

One  company  Texas  volunteers, " Leefield. 

Battalion,  four  companies  of  1st  and  2d 

regular  dragoons, Colonel  Harney. 

— in  all  numbering  about  3,000  men. 

The  stores  for  this  number,  preparatory  to  a  long  march, 
had  all  been  landed  at  Port  Lavacca,  (mentioned  on  page 
138),  and  transported  by  teams  to  San  Antonio,  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles.  The  long  delay  thus  caused,  pievented  the 
commencement  of  the  march  until  September  26th,  when 
the  advance  moved  on.  This  advance  under  Colonel 


Hantey  consisted  of  one  thousand  two  hundred  and  forty 
men.  viz: 

ST  companies  Arkansas  cavalry, - -421  men 

Two  l«t  Illinois  infantry,—  156    ** 

Two  3d        «  «—  -155    « 

Three  companies  U.  S.  infantry,  and  one,  Capt. 

Williams',   Kentucky,  266    a 

One  company  pioneers, - — —  SO    " 

Two  U.  S.  dragoons,  -  124    « 

One  Artillery,  Captain   Washington, 

with  eight  pieces, — 99    * 

Three  days  after,  on  September  29th,  General  Wool  left 
the  same  place  with  the  second  detachment ; — this  was  under 
die  command  of  Colonel  Hardin.  of  1st  Dlinoi*.  and  num- 
bered fire  hundred  and  eighty  men,  viz  :  eight  companies  1st 
Hfinoig,  and  two  companies  U.  S.  dragoons, — The  third  de- 
tachment proceeded,  under  Colonel  B&sseD.  of  2d  Illinois,  in 
a  few  days  after  the  second ; — it  consisted  of  seven  compa- 
nies of  the  2d  Illinois  regiment,  infantry  :  two  companies 
Arkansas  regiment,  cavalry,  and  one  company  Texas  volun- 
teer?.  infantry :  whole  force  seven  hundred  and  twenty  men. 
In  a  short  time  alter,  the  fourth  detachment,  with  a  heavy 
train  of  wagons,  brought  up  die  rear.  This  was  under  die 
command  of  Major  Solon  Borland,  and  consisted  of  about 
two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  viz :  two  companies  Arkansas 
cavalry  ;  one  company  2d  Illinois  infantry,  beside  many  men 
•who  had  been  sick,  belonging'  to  other  detachments. 

Tne  distance  to  Presidio,  on  tite  Rio  Grande,  was  one 
hundred  and  fifty-seven  miles.  Here,  all  die  army  crftMod 
dte  river  in  sectional  boats  ;  (diese  had  been  constructed  at 
San  Antonio,  and  hauled  on  wagons,  each  in  diree  sections 
or  pieces,  dtat  fitted  to  one  another,  making  a  large  boat). — 
His  whole  central  division  under  General  Wool  was  com- 
posed of  as  fine  troops  as  any  in  die  army ;  were  well  equip- 
ped, and  provided  with  foil  supplies  of  provision  and  ammu- 
nition lor  die  long  route  before  diem. 

As  was  die  case  widi  all  die  divisions  of  die  army,  no 
sooner  had  diey  commenced  dieir  march,  dian  rumors,  in 
can?e  back  to  diem  of  die  enemy  in  large  force  be- 


MOVEMENTS   OF   GENERAL   WOOL'S  ARMY.  245 

fore  them. — The  most  important  of  these  rumors,  and  appa- 
rently the  best  founded,  was  that  a  Mexican  force  of  seven 
thousand  men  were  stationed  for  the  defence  of  the  city  of 
Monclavo.  This  was  universally  believed,  and  was  a  mat- 
ter of  congratulation  to  the  army,  that  they  should  so  soon 
have  a  chance  at  the  enemy  ;  and  in  buoyant  spirits,  they 
moved  on  from  the  Rio  Grande  towards  that  city,  the  pas- 
sage through  which  was  necessary ;  for  on  the  left,  the  di- 
rect course  to  Chihuahua,  the  rugged  mountains  of  Sierra 
Gordo  rose,  forbidding  a  passage  across  them,*  and  the  army 
kept  along  its  base,  pursuing  a  course  still  more  to  the 
southward  than  before,  until  after  a  march  of  one  month, 
they  arrived  at  the  city  of  Monclova  on  the  29th  of  October. 
Here,  to  the  disappointment  of  the  army,  they  met  no  oppos- 
ing force.  The  prefect,  or  military  commander  of  the  city, 
contented  himself  with  issuing  a  formal  protest  against  the 
occupation  of  the  country  by  the  United  States'  forces. 

At  this  city,  the  army  of  General  Wool  remained  about  a 
month ;  in  which  time  he  sent  a  dispatch  to  General  Taylor, 
informing  him  of  the  impracticability  of  the  route  on  which 
he  had  been  ordered  toward  Chihuahua,  and  asking  new 
orders  from  him.  General  Taylor  responded  by  ordering  the 
column  to  the  south-west,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles, 
to  the  city  of  Parras,  situated  one  hundred  miles  west  of 
Saltillo,  and  near  two  hundred  from  Monterey;  thus  plac- 
ing the  army  of  General  Wool  on  the  extreme  right  of 
the  extended  line  of  occupation,  across  the  country,  from 
the  coast  to  the  interior,  which  he  was  about  to  take  up. 
— This  order  of  General  Taylor  was  afterwards  in  the 
highest  degree  serviceable  to  him,  in  repelling  the  attacks 
of  Santa  Anna's  powerful  army;  and  also  was  afterwards 
hailed  by  the  troops  of  the  central  army,  as  the  means  of 
diverting  them  from  a  campaign  over  the  barren  mountains 
of  Chihuahua,  and  leading  them  to  the  glorious  field  of 
Buena  Vista. 

In  obedience  to  these  orders,  General  Wool  marched  his 
army  to  the  city  of  Parras,  and  encamped  near  it,  the  pre- 

*  See  the  report  of  Captain  Hughes,  Topographical  Engineers,  Feb.  14,  1847. 


246  MOVEMENTS   OF  GENERAL   WOOL'S  ARMY. 

feet  of  the  city  meeting  him  at  the  hacienda  of  Don  Manuel 
Ibarra,  five  miles  from  the  city,  and  surrendering  it  to  him. — 
Here  the  general  and  his  staff  were  entertained  by  the  hos- 
pitable owner  of  the  hacienda,  (who  spoke  English  fluently, 
having  been  educated  at  Bardstown,  Kentucky),  and  several 
of  his  friends,  and  among  these,  Dr.  Woodworth,  an  Ameri- 
can, who  had  resided  at  the  city  of  Parras  a  number  of 
years.* 

The  army  remained  encamped  near  Parras  about  a  fort- 
night, when  other  orders  were  received  by  General  Wool 
from  General  Taylor,  apprising  him  of  the  reported  advance 
of  General  Santa  Anna,  with  a  powerful  army,  and  direct- 
ing him  to  march  to  Saltillo  as  soon  as  possible,  and  form  a 
junction  with  the  forces  then  there  under  General  Worth. — 
Upon  the  receipt  of  this  order,  General  Wool  immediately 
broke  up  his  camp  at  Parras,  and  proceeded  directly  to  Sal- 
tillo, where  he  arrived  about  the  20th  of  December.  Here 
he  remained ;  and  his  gallant  little  army,  in  two  months  af- 
terward, had  the  opportunity  of  meeting  the  enemy,  without 
further  marching,  at  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista,  of  which  we 
will  speak  in  its  order  of  time. 

Leaving  him  and  his  command  encamped  at  the  city  of 
Saltillo,  at  this  period, — the  close  of  the  year  1846, — we  will 
turn  our  attention  to  the  northern  division  of  the  army,  un- 
der General  Kearney  ;  which  was  to  proceed  against  New 
Mexico,  from  Fort  Leavenworth,  in  Missouri,  at  the  same 
time  that  General  Taylor  was  collecting  his  force  on  the  Rio 
Grande,  and  General  Wool  mustering  his  battalions,  at  San 
Antonio  ; — each  army  having  its  separate  movement  before 

*  This  last  named  gentleman,  now  resident  in  Cincinnati,  was  obliged,  by  the 
Mexican  authorities,  to  leave  Parras,  at  twenty-four  hours'  notice,  after  the  departure 
of  General  Wool,  on  account  of  his  friendly  feelings  and  personal  sen-ices  to  that 
officer. — The  author  here  takes  the  opportunity  to  acknowledge  himself  much  in- 
debted to  Dr.  Woodworth,  for  many  items  of  explanation  with  regard  to  Mexican 
manners  and  customs,  religious  ceremonies,  character,  &c.; — he  thus  being  able  to 
present  the  reader  an  account  of  these  and  all  other  subjects  relating  to  the  Mexicans, 
which  are  introduced  into  this  work,  as  seen  by  himself  in  the  year's  campaign,  and 
corroborated  by  the  revisal  of  a  gentleman  of  ability  and  education,  to  whom  every 
detail  of  Mexican  character,  customs  and  language  is  perfectly  familial*,  from  a  con- 
tinual residence  of  several  years  among  them  ;  entirely  separated,  for  that  time,  from 
other  people,  customs  or  speech. 


MARCH  OF   GENERAL   KEARNEY.  247 

it. — This  northern  army  commenced  the  movement  of  its  ad- 
vance with  but  little  delay — being,  but  between  five  and  six 
weeks  from  the  time  that  hostilities  had  been  commenced,  by 
the  bombardment  of  Fort  Brown  and  the  battles  of  the  9th  and 
9th  of  May,  on  the  Rio  Grande ;  a  memorable  instance,  this,  of 
the  facility  and  quickness  with  which  armies  may  be  raised 
and  equipped,  and  be  placed  upon  the  march,  in  our  country 
— the  United  States.  The  division  of  the  army  under  Colo- 
nel (afterwards  General)  Kearney,  comprised  in  all  its  force, 
three  thousand  three  hundred  men — consisting  of  the  first 
regiment  Missouri  cavalry,  under  Colonel  Doniphan  ;  second 
regiment  do.,  Col.  Price,  a  battalion  of  artillery,  Major  Clark, 
and  a  battalion  of  Mormon  infantry,  under  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Cook ;  two  companies  Missouri  infantry,  and  four 
companies  of  regular  dragoons, — accompanied  by  a  large 
train  of  supply  wagons,  and  a  still  larger  body  of  wagons  of 
traders,  going  out  under  the  protection  of  the  division. 

The  forces  proceeded  in  separate  detachments  over  the  vast 
prairie,  on  account  of  the  great  number  of  animals  to  be  suppli- 
ed with  grass,  from  Fort  Leavenworth,the  place  of  rendezvous, 
in  the  western  part  of  the  State  of  Missouri,  towards  Santa 
Fe,  the  capital  of  the  State  of  New  Mexico,  situate  near  the 
head  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  which  had  been,  for  many  years, 
the  centre  point  of  an  extensive  trade  to  Independence  and 
St.  Louis,  in  the  United  States  ;  to  Pueblo  de  los  Angelos,  and 
all  the  other  towns  on  the  Pacific  coast  to  the  west;  to  all 
the  large  Indian  tribes,  situated  in  every  direction  from  it ; 
and  also  with  the  States  of  Sonora,  Chihuahua,  (pron.  Che- 
waw-waw,)  and  Durango,  to  the  south  and  south-west. 

The  course  from  Fort  Leavenworth  to  Santa  Fe  is  about 
west-south-west,  the  distance  near  a  thousand  miles,  nearly 
the  whole  of  which  is  over  boundless  prairies,  upon  which  are 
numerous  herds  of  deer,  antelope,  and  buffalo. — The  road 
between  the  two  points  was  an  old  wagon  way,  and  much 
traveled  on,  and  good ; — the  watering  places  definitely 
known. — Two  roads,  leading  to  the  same  point,  were  travel- 
ed for  the  sake  of  grass; — one  the  old  caravan  route,  the  oth- 
er, more  to  the  north,  by  Bent's  fort,  on  the  Arkansas. — Gen- 
eral Kearney  having  sent  forward  several  trains  with  prov' 


248  CAPTURE  OF  SANTA  FE. 

sions,  to  be  overtaken,  set  forward  with  a  force  of  one  thou- 
sand six  hundred  and  forty-seven  men,  including  Colonel 
Doniphan's  regiment,  a  battalion  of  artillery,  with  sixteen 
pieces  of  cannon,  and  a  party  of  dragoons,  on  the  22d  of 
June,  taking  the  northern  road,  across  the  prairies,  which  led 
by  Bent's  fort ;  leaving  the  other  detachments  to  follow  on 
as  soon  as  practicable. — The  march  to  Santa  Fe  was  per- 
formed in  fifty  days,  with  no  circumstance  of  note  occurring 
on  the  route.  The  detachment  not  coming  up  with  the  wa- 
gon train  of  provisions,  which  had  been  sent  ahead,  until  the 
latter  part  of  the  march,  the  troops  were  reduced  for  many 
days  to  half-rations  of  provisions  ;  on  overtaking  that,  they 
had  plenty  again. 

The  force  neared  San  Miguel  on  Sunday,  August  16th, 
and  took  possession  of  the  place  in  the  name  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  obliging  the  alcalde  to  take  an  oath  of  alle- 
giance and  fidelity  to  his  new  government. — The  army 
then  moved  onward  the  following  day,  and  encamped  at  Pe- 
cos,  twenty-nine  miles  from  the  capital.  Near  here,  in  a 
mountain  gorge,  through  which  the  road  passes,  an  engage- 
ment was  expected  with  the  Mexican  army  of  four  thousand 
strong,  under  the  command  of  Don  Manuel  Armijo,  the  gov- 
ernor of  the  province ;  but  on  entering  the  pass  the  next 
morning,  Tuesday,  August  18th,  they  found  it  deserted,  but 
with  the  marks  of  recent  encampment  at  the  head  of  it. — 
The  tracks  of  the  artillery  wheels  being  plainly  seen,  were 
followed ;  and  one  piece,  that  the  retreating  enemy  had  not 
been  able  to  carry  off,  was  found  near  the  place  spiked. — It 
was  one  of  the  pieces  belonging  to  the  unfortunate  Texas 
Santa  Fe  expedition. — From  this  "  canon"  or  gorge,  the  road 
to  the  city  was  over  steep  and  rocky  hills,  the  passage  of 
which  delayed  the  artillery;  while  the  general,  with  the  dra- 
goons and  cavalry,  moved  on  until  near  the  city,  and  halted 
two  hours,  on  a  hill  overlooking  it,  until  the  artillery  came  up 
and  took  post  upon  it. — Finding  that  the  governor  and  forces 
had  retreated  from  the  city,  and  that  no  resistance  would  be 
offered,  the  general,  with  the  cavalry  and  dragoons,  entered 
the  city,  with  drawn  sabres,  and  drew  up  in  the  plaza,  while 
the  American  flag  was  immediately  hoisted  on  the  palace  of 


GENERAL  KEARNEY'S  SPEECH.  249 

the  governor,  and  a  salute  was  fired  by  the  artillery  on  the 
hill. — The  general  and  escort  were  received  by  the  civil 
authorities,  and  conducted  into  the  palace. — The  cavalry 
and  dragoons  paraded  through  many  of  the  streets  and 
squares. — Their  appearance  in  each  was  greeted  by  the 
surly  looks  of  the  men,  who,  in  their  wide  breeches  and  large 
sombreros,  turned  out  to  view  them ;  and  by  the  shrieks  and 
screams  of  the  frightened  women. 

Their  fears,  however,  were  allayed  on  the  following  day, 
when  General  Kearney,  turning  orator,  made  them  a  speech — 
many  assembling  to  hear  him. — In  this  speech  they  were  dis- 
tinctly informed,  that  the  country  of  New  Mexico  was  held  as 
part  of  the  United  States. — He  promised  to  all  peaceable  citi- 
zens protection  against  their  enemies, — especially  against  the 
tribes  of  Indians,  who  had  often  visited  their  settlements,  situ- 
ated up  and  down  the  Rio  Grande,  and  stolen  horses  and  cattle, 
and  killed  the  inhabitants. — (The  greatest  injuries  had  been 
committed  by  the  "  Navajos,"  whose  district  of  country  lay  di- 
rectly west  from  the  province.) — He  promised  the  people  that 
their  depredations  would  be  stopped,  &c.  He  informed  them 
that  they  were  free  from  the  command  of  their  late  governor, 
Don  Manuel  Armijo ;  and  that,  hereafter,  they  would  only 
bear  allegiance  to  the  United  States,  &c. — To  all  this  the 
people  responded  enthusiastically. — He  appointed  a  governor, 
Juan  Baptiste  Vigil,  and  administered  to  him  the  oath  of  al- 
legiance to  the  United  States,  then  the  same  oath  to  the 
alcaldes,  and  to  each  member  of  the  ayuntamiento.  He  then 
finished  his  speech,  and  proceedings  in  the  matter,  by  calling 
on  all  who  had  friends  or  relatives  who  had  left  the  city,  on 
the  approach  of  the  American  forces,  to  avoid  the  reception 
of  insults  and  injuries,  to  induce  all  such  to  come  back  ;  as- 
suring them,  as  from  him,  of  protection  and  kindness. — This 
had  a  good  effect,  and  the  most  returned. — The  Mexican 
army  continued  its  retreat  down  the  Rio  Grande,  towards 
Chihuahua,  Armijo  being  with  it. 

Aft^r  these  events,  General  Kearney's  first  endeavor  was 
to  perform  his  promise  with  regard  to  the  Indians.  Accord- 
ingly, runners  were  sent  out  to  the  powerful  and  warlike 
tribe  of  Navajos,  inviting  the  chiefs  of  that  tribe,  and  those 


250  GEN.  KEARNEY'S  DEPARTURE  FOR  CALIFORNIA. 

of  the  smaller  tribe  of  Pueblos,  near,  to  hold  a  grand  coun- 
cil, and  conclude  a  treaty  of  peace. — The  place  of  meeting 
was  set  by  these  chiefs  at  the  Bear  Spring,  near  Red  lake,  in 
the  mountainous  country  of  the  Indians,  two  hundred  and 
fifty  miles  south-west  of  Santa  Fe. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  Colonel  Price's  regiment,  the  second 
Missouri,  and  the  battalion  of  Mormon  infantry,  under  Lieu- 
tenant Smith,  at  Santa  Fe,  General  Kearney,  having  ap- 
pointed Mr.  Charles  Bent  governor  of  the  province,  and 
everything  being  quiet,  set  out,  with  one  hundred  dragoons 
and  two  mountain  howitzers,  together  with  some  men  of  the 
topographical  engineers,  for  California,  by  the  route  across 
the  mountains,  down  the  Gila  river  to  the  Gulf  of  California; 
thence  across  the  peninsula,  to  the  waters  of  the  Pacific 
ocean;  thence  up  the  coast  to  Monterey,  the  capital :  (then,  as 
well  as  the  other  principal  towns  on  the  coast,  in  the  hands  of 
the  Americans,  having  been  captured  by  thePacific  fleet,  under 
Com.  Sloat,  directly  after  the  reception  of  the  news  of  the 
battles  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma). — Before  Gen- 
eral Kearney  set  out  on  this  long  route  of  twelve  hundred 
miles,  he  made  every  arrangement  for  the  tranquillity  of  the 
province  of  New  Mexico,  and  for  the  protection  of  the  people 
from  the  attacks  of  the  Indians. — He  directed  the  Mormon 
battalion,  under  Colonel  Cook,  to  follow  him  to  California. — 
He  left  the  second  Missouri  regiment,  under  Colonel  Price, 
with  two  hundred  regular  dragoons,  under  Captain  Burg  win, 
and  Fischer's  and  Weightman's  companies  of  St.  Louis  light 
artillery,  as  the  garrison  for  New  Mexico.  (Weightman's 
company  was  afterward  detached  and  sent  to  the  aid  of  Co- 
lonel Doniphan,  of  the  first  regiment;  and  Lieutenant-colonel 
Mitchell,  of  the  second,  with  near  a  hundred  men,  accompanied 
it,  reducing  the  force  under  Colonel  Price  considerably  ;  but 
they  nobly  held  their  ground,  and  fought  two  battles,  which  will 
be  noticed  in  their  proper  order.) — He  ordered  Col.  Doniphan, 
with  his  regiment,  to  attend  to  the  council  and  treaty  to  take 
place  with  the  Navajos  ;  and  after  arranging  that,  to  march 
the  regiment  to  the  southward,  and  report  himself  to  General 
Wool,  at  the  city  of  Chihuahua.— (General  Wool,  as  has  been 
related,  at  this  time  was  collecting,  at  San  Antonio,  in  west- 


MARCH  OF  COLONEL   DONIPHAN'S   REGIMENT.  251 

ern  Texas,  an  army  of  over  three  thousand  men,  to  proceed 
against  the  States  of  Coahuila,  Chihuahua,  and  Durango  ; 
and,  it  was  calculated  by  General  Kearney,  that  he  would  be 
in  possession  of  those  States,  by  the  time  that  Colonel  Doni- 
phan,  after  the  arduous  service  allotted  him,  would  be  able 
to  reach  there.) 

In  the  intervening  time  between  the  capture  of  the  city 
and  his  departure,  the  general,  aided  by  Colonel  Doniphan 
and  Willard  P.  Hall,  a  private,  (since,  member  of  Congress 
from  Missouri,)  had  framed  and  put  into  force  a  code  of  laws, 
more  according  to  the  spirit  of  the  system  of  government 
under  which  the  territory  was  in  future  to  remain. — Having 
thus  settled  the  affairs  of  the  government,  he  set  out  on  his 
route. — Leaving  him  on  this  long  march,  let  us  follow  the  first 
regiment,  under  Doniphan,  on  their  eventful  and  arduous 
service.* 

Soon  after  the  general's  departure,  Colonel  Doniphan  set 
about  the  fulfillment  of  his  order. — He  dispatched  the  second 
battalion  of  his  regiment,  under  Major  Gilpin,  of  little  over 
two  hundred  men,  with  some  Pueblo  Indians  and  friendly 
Mexicans,  to  the  Indian  country,  on  the  first  of  October. 

A  powerful  tribe  of  Indians,  the  Utahs,  live  to  the  north 
and  north-west  of  the  country  occupied  by  the  Navajos — 
These  roam  over  a  vast  tract  of  country  extending  from  the 
thirty-sixth  to  the  forty-second  degree  of  north  latitude,  and 
from  the  one  hundred  and  eighth  to  the  one  hundred  and 
thirteenth  degree  of  west  longitude; — an  immense  section, 
bounded  on  the  east  by  the  mountains  of  New  Mexico ;  on 
the  south  and  east  by  the  Colorado,  and  the  country  of  the 
Navajos ;  on  the  west  by  the  Wawsatch  mountains,  and  the 
Great  Salt  Lake,  (an  immense  inland  sea),  and  its  large 
fresh  water  tributary,  the  Utah  lake.  These  Utah  Indians 
are,  in  general,  well  mounted,  and  well  armed  with  rifles,  in 
the  use  of  which  they  are  expert ;  are  powerful,  and  feared 
by  the  adjoining  tribes  ; — many  parts  of  their  extensive  do- 
main being  highly  fertile,  and  watered  by  the  Colorado, 
Grand,  Green,  Utah,  and  Sevier  rivers,  and  their  numerous 

*  For  the  particulars  of  the  inarch,  throughout,  of  Doniphan's  .egiment,  the  author 
is  indebted  to  Mr.  James  M.  Johnson,  of  company  F,  of  that  regiment. 


252  EXPEDITION   INTO  THE  NAVAJO  COUNTRY. 

branches,  with  many  lakes,  they  have  no  difficulty  in  rais- 
ing immense  droves  of  horses,  mules,  sheep,  and  cattle — in 
which  their  wealth  consists.  Although  never  having  much 
molested  the  American  traders,  who  have  from  time  to  time 
visited  them,  they  have  made  extensive  depredations  on  the 
Mexican  population  of  New  Mexico,  and  a  regular  busi- 
ness, yearly,  of  intercepting  the  great  caravan  which  passes 
from  the  coast  of  California  to  Santa  Fe,  exacting  a  heavy 
tribute  from  them.* 

As  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  conclude  a  treaty  with  these 
Utahs,  Major  Gilpin  was  ordered  there.  He  induced  the 
head  men,  of  the  first  tribe  met,  to  return  to  Santa  Fe  ;  here 
they  made  a  treaty  with  Doniphan.  To  obtain  the  agree- 
ment of  the  other  Utahs  to  this,  Gilpin  was  ordered  into  their 
country — west,  then  to  march  south-east,  to  Bear  Spring,  to 
the  council  of  the  Navajos. 

The  battalion,  after  having  taken  a  supply  of  the  coarse 
flour  of  the  country,  on  pack  mules,  together  with  other  indis- 
pensable articles,  leaving  behind  them  all  tents  and  camp 
equipage,  commenced  their  march  by  the  old  Spanish  trail,  or 
caravan  road,  to  California.  Some  time  after  these  had  start- 
ed, Lieutenant-colonel  Jackson,  with  another  detachment  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  commenced  the  march,  by  an- 
other route,  to  the  same  place  ;  Captain  Ried,  with  another 
of  thirty  men;  and,  finally,  as  the  time  of  council  drew 
near,  Colonel  Doniphan,  with  an  escort  of  ten  men,  took  a 
direct  course,  across  the  mountains,  for  the  same  place. — All 
these,  in  their  routes,  suffered  much  from  want  of  water,  and 
by  exposure,  from  the  length  of  their  march ;  the  second 
battalion  enduring  the  more. — These  pursued  their  march 
along  the  old  Spanish  trail  about  five  days,  on  a  course  to 
the  north  of  west,  until  they  arrived  at  the  St.  Juan  river, 
which  runs  nearly  a  west  course  ; — along  Ihe  bank  of  this 
they  passed,  until  they  arrived  at  its  junction  with  the  Col- 
orado, about  three  hundred  miles  from  Santa  Fe. — The  course 
of  the  latter  river  was  about  south-west. 

They  were  now  fairly  into  the  country  of  the  Utahs,  and 

*  See  Fremont's  narrative  of  exploration. 


EXPEDITION   INTO  THE  NAVAJO   COUNTRY.  253 

made  great  endeavors  to  procure  a  council  with  them,  but 
unavailingly  ;  only  few  being  seen  at  a  time,  and  these  were 
reserved  and  suspicious ;  though  they  would  trade  horses, 
mules,  cattle,  sheep,  dressed  skins  for  clothing,  &c.,  with  the 
men,  in  return  for  beads,  ribbons,  tobacco,  sheet  iron  arrow 
heads,  (of  which  many  of  the  men,  having  long  been  among 
the  Indians  as  traders,  had  brought  numbers),  blankets, 
butcher  knives,  &c.  The  clothing  of  the  men  having  now 
nearly  worn  out,  and  there  being  no  opportunity  of  obtain- 
ing more,  they  bought  many  of  these  skins,  and  dressed 
themselves  with  them,  true  Indian  fashion. 

The  battalion  proceeded  down  the  Colorado  about  one 
hundred  miles,  finding,  along,  good  pasture,  fine  buffalo  grass, 
every  night.  (That  grass  appears  to  be  the  same  that,  in 
Texas,  is  called  the  musquit,  and  which  has  been  described 
in  the  course  of  this  work). 

Despairing  of  being  able  to  come  upon  any  understanding 
with  the  Utahs,  the  battalion  left  the  Colorado,  and  proceeded 
in  a  south-eastwardly  direction,  across  the  mountains,  for 
five  days  ;  traveling  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  when 
they  reached  the  Gila  river. — This  march  was  extremely  la- 
borious, being  up  and  down  the  descents  of  the  mountains, 
through  narrow  defiles,  and  along  dangerous  precipices, 
often  over  large  tracts  of  loose  and  broken  rock,  without  a 
road  or  trail  ;  and,  in  several  places,  having  long  routes  from 
water  to  water,  besides,  often,  no  grass  for  the  animals. — It 
was  accomplished,  however,  without  murmuring. 

Arrived  at  the  Gila,  the  battalion  found  good  water  and 
fine  grass. — The  next  ten  days'  march  was  up  this  river, 
a  course,  at  first,  about  east,  then  nearly  north-east. — This 
country  was  fine,  well  watered  ;  mountainous,  but  with  beau- 
tiful valleys,  and  with  abundance  of  game. — This  ten  days 
brought  them  to  the  Bear  spring,  about  seven  miles  from 
Red  lake,  in  a  fine  section  of  country,  furnishing  abundance 
of  water. 

Here  they  found  many  of  the  Navajos  assembling. — The 
battalion  was  soon  joined  by  the  detachments  of  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Jackson,  Colonel  Doniphan,  and  Captain  Ried. — The 
Indians  arrived  in  separate  bands,  each  one  accompanied 


254  SCENES  AT  THE  COUNCIL  WITH  THE  NAVAJOS. 

by  a  large  herd  of  horses,  mules,  cattle  and  sheep,  which 
were  driven  along  by  the  squaws,  to  the  encampment. — 
These  were  partly  for  their  own  subsistence  during  the  time 
of  the  council,  and  partly  to  sell  to  the  regiment. — All  of  the 
bands  being  perfectly  frank  with  the  new  comers,  a  free  in- 
tercourse was  at  once  commenced. — The  lodges  of  the  Indi- 
ans were  pitched  around,  in  no  regular  order,  and  the  women 
immediately  began  their  labors,  in  cooking,  &c.,  while 
the  men  sauntered  around,  or  endeavored  to  trade  with  the 
troops  of  the  regiment  their  cattle  or  horses,  for  trinkets, 
arrow  heads,  ribbons,  &c.,  of  which  the  men  yet  had  a  pretty 
good  supply. 

Money  was  of  no  use  among  them ; — many  trades  were 
made, — a  horse  or  two,  or  three  cows,  or  else  a  half  a  dozen 
fine  sheep,  could  be  procured  for  a  common  blanket ;  a  dozen 
or  two  arrow  heads  brought  the  same. — Deer  skins,  dressed 
for  clothing,  they  exchanged  in  numbers,  for  a  little  ribbon, 
of  red,  or  green,  or  yellow ;  while  anything  they  had,  they 
would  trade  for  tobacco.  Knives,  too,  were  in  great  demand 
by  the  men,  and  beads  by  the  women. — A  few  of  these  arti- 
cles soon  procured  from  the  Indians  plenty  of  horses  to  sup- 
ply the  places  of  those  that  had  given  out,  and  any  number 
of  cattle  or  sheep  for  provision  ;  and,  as  they  still  had  plenty 
of  the  coarse  flour  which,  on  pack  mules,  had  been  brought 
the  long  route  from  Santa  Fe,  they  immediately  began  to 
live  well  again. — The  Indians  had  brought  much  more  stock 
than  was  wanted. 

Stock  is  the  great  item  of  their  wealth. — Unlike  many 
other  tribes,  who  live  upon  the  precarious  supply  of  game, 
sometimes  in  abundance,  and  then  again  in  suffering,  these 
take  much  pains  to  have  their  flocks  and  herds  continually 
around  them.  The  fine  spacious  valleys  of  their  country 
afford  most  excellent  pasturage,  and  in  these  they  roam. — 
The  horses  are  good ;  better  than  those  farther  south ; — 
their  cattle  are  large,  fat  and  sleek ;  and  their  sheep  are 
extremely  large,  and  bear  very  heavy  fleeces. — From  these 
the  Navajo  women  make  their  blankets;  which  are  supe- 
rior, for  a  covering  against  the  rain,  to  all  others, — being 
very  thick  and  heavy ;  closely  knit  by  hand. — These  women 


DRESS  OF  NAVAJO  CHIEFS   AND  WARRIORS.  255 

are  all  industrious ; — neither  are  the  men  so  indolent  as 
those  of  many  other  tribes ;  and  both  are,  in  general,  quite 
neat  in  their  persons,  dress,  and  lodges. 

Their  common  dress  is  composed  of  articles  of  wool  wo- 
ven by  the  women,  or  skins  prepared  by  them. — The  chiefs 
and  warriors  wear  a  dressed  deer  skin  hunting  shirt,  with 
fringes  along  the  seams  of  the  arm ; — this  shirt  had  one  or 
more  capes  of  the  same  material,  which  were  handsomely 
worked  in  figures  of  various  colors,  in  beads  and  porcupine 
quills,  by  the  women  of  their  households. — They  also  wear 
breeches  of  the  same  material,  fitting  tight  below  the  knees, 
so  as  not  to  impede  their  motion.  The  outside  seams  of 
these,  like  those  of  the  arms,  were  ornamented  with  a 
fringe,  worked  with  beads ; — this  fringe  was  from  four  to  six 
inches  in  length,  while  that  on  the  arm  was  but  about  three. 
— Their  heads  were  shaved,  save  the  long  scalp  locks  on  the 
crown,  which  were  braided,  and  fell  down  on  the  shoulders. — 
Moccasins,  worked  like  the  capes,  in  beads  and  quills,  com- 
pleted the  dress. 

They  were  generally  armed  with  stout  bows,  wrapped 
with  sinews  of  animals ;  and  each  one,  on  his  right  side, 
bore  a  quiver  of  skin,  with  the  fur  on,  filled  with  iron  point- 
ed, barbed  and  feathered  arrows. — These  bows  were  from 
four  to  six  feet  in  length ;  the  arrows  about  two  feet  and  a 
half. — These  were  powerful  weapons,  and  used  by  them 
with  great  skill  and  dexterity ; — they  shot  them  entirely 
through  the  body  of  oxen. — Some  few  had  rifles,  with  the 
use  of  which  they  were  well  acquainted. 

In  addition  to  the  dress  mentioned,  all  wore  bracelets  of 
brass  upon  their  wrists,  to  protect  this  part  from  the  string 
of  the  bow,  when  shooting  an  arrow. — The  chiefs  were  dis- 
tinguished by  a  crown  or  wreath  of  feathers,  of  various 
bright  colors,  on  their  heads  ;  and  they  also  wore  large  cres- 
cent shaped  silver  ear-rings. — The  breeches  of  these,  to- 
gether with  those  of  many  of  the  warriors,  were  further  or- 
namented, by  many  little  bows  of  red  ribbon,  tied  thickly  up 
and  down  the  fringe  of  the  outside  seam. — The  whole  dress 
and  arms,  at  a  little  distance,  appeared  well  to  the  eye. 

The  women  were  of  fine  forms,  good  looking,  and,  indeed, 


256  DRESS   OF  NAVAJO  WOMEN. 

many  of  them  might  be  called  pretty ; — all  neat,  and  cleanly 
in  their  appearance. — Their  long  black  hair  was  braided  in 
two  parts,  and  trimmed  with  red  ribbons ;  the  two  braids 
tied  with  the  same,  in  a  bow  on  the  back.  They  shaved  the 
upper  part  of  their  foreheads,  but  all  the  remainder  was  al- 
lowed to  remain  of  full  length. — They  wore  upon  their  per- 
sons a  low-breasted,  fine  white  chemise  of  wool,  of  their  own 
manufacture  ; — from  the  waist,  a  petticoat  or  half-dress,  also 
of  wool,  but  stouter  than  the  first :  this  was  always  wove  in 
stripes  of  white  and  blue — these  stripes  running  around  the 
person. — This  dress  was  short,  and  but  few  wore  anything 
else,  save  bracelets  and  ear-rings  of  silver. — Some,  however, 
of  the  families  of  the  chiefs,  wore  moccasins,  with  high  leg- 
gins,  somewhat  like  a  boot,  but  fitting  close,  and  tied  on  the 
outside  of  the  leg  and  ankles  with  red  ribbons,  or  those  of 
other  bright  colors. — These  moccasins,  when  so  worn  by  them, 
were  ornamented  on  the  foot,  and  leg,  with  needlework  of 
beads  and  quills. — Their  arms  were  bare,  and  their  shoulders, 
save  the  strap  of  the  chemise  ;  and,  in  this  respect,  precisely 
like  the  ranchero  class  of  Mexican  women. 

Their  lodges,  or  tents,  were  made  of  skins,  or  dry  hides, 
laid  upon  poles,  which  were  supported  by  forks  ;  the  interior 
was  floored  with  the  same.  The  skins  were  carried  from 
place  to  place,  on  pack  mules.  The  whole  labor  of  put- 
ting up  and  taking  these  lodges  down,  fell  on  the  women. — 
Their  cooking  utensils  were  like  those  of  the  ranchero  class 
of  the  Mexicans  :  earthen  pots  for  boiling,  of  their  own  manu- 
facture ;  the  same  kind  of  stones  for  grinding  corn,  &c.— ; 
Many  of  their  dishes  are  cooked  in  the  same  way  ;  for  the 
Mexican  population  have  adopted  the  style  of  these  abori- 
gines. 

When  all  of  the  negotiating  chiefs,  with  their  bands,  had 
arrived,  the  council  was,  in  the  open  air,  entered  into  in  due 
form. — In  a  large  circle  around,  were  seated  the  Indian  chiefs, 
in  their  gaudy  dress  and  plumes,  on  one  side;  and  Colonel 
Doniphan,  his  field  officers,  captains  and  lieutenants,  on  the 
other  ;  while  the  pipe  of  peace,  being  lighted,  was  in  silence 
passed  around,  from  one  to  another — each  taking  a  few  whiffs 
at  it. — This  pipe  was  of  great  size,  of  stone;  and  the  bow! 


-  ACCOUNT   OF   THE   COUNCIL.  257 

would  hold,  of  liquid,  near  a  quart. — When  this  preliminary 
was  through,  Colonel  Doniphan  addressed  them,  in  English, 
which  was,  by  the  interpreter,  rendered  to  them  in  Spanish, 
which  most  of  them  understood. — He  informed  them,  defi- 
nitely, of  the  war  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico 
of  the  conquest  of  the  province  of  New  Mexico,  and  of  the 
determination  of  the  United  States  to  hold  that  province 
hereafter,  as  part  of  her  own  ; — that  the  government  of  the 
United  States  was  powerful,  and  that  they  wished  peace  with 
their  Indian  neighbors ; — that  now,  as  they  had  taken  the 
country  from  the  Mexicans,  they  wished  this  tribe,  as  well 
as  all  others,  to  be  at  terms  of  friendship  with  them  there ; 
to  visit  them  to  trade,  but  not  to  plunder,  or  to  make  war 
upon  the  province,  as  they  had  done,  when  it  was  in  the 
hands  of  their  enemies,  the  Mexicans,  &c.,  &c. — This  speech 
was  received  in  silence,  and  with  attention,  by  the  chiefs ; 
and,  after  a  short  pause,  the  head  sachem  arose,  and  express- 
ed his  satisfaction  that  the  Americans  had  conquered  New 
Mexico  ; — that  he  knew  they  were  great  warriors  ; — that 
their  traders  had  been  often  among  them ; — that  his  tribe 
were  glad  that  they  were  now  near  them ;  and  that  they 
would  preserve  a  sacred  peace  with  them,  &c.,  &c. — The 
other  chiefs  also  made  speeches,  and,  finally,  a  treaty  was 
concluded ;  and  the  whole,  in  ratification,  was  closed  by  ex- 
changes of  presents. 

Colonel  Doniphan  opened  before  them  a  stock  of  blankets, 
beads,  knives,  ribbons,  cloth,  trinkets, — all  valued  by  them  ; 
and  more  than  all,  tobacco. — In  return,  they  presented  him 
with  many  horses,  mules,  sheep  and  cattle  ;  also,  blankets,  of 
their  own  manufacture,  dressed  skins,  ornamented  moccasins, 
&c.,  &c. ;  and  after  assurances  of  eternal  amity  and  peace 
the  council  dispersed. — The  detachment  resumed  its  march 
to  the  north-east,  and  the  bands  of  Indians  separated  to  their 
various  sections,  in  the  valleys  among  the  mountains,  with 
good  feeling  and  harmony  between  the  parties. 

Four  days'  march,  or  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles, 

through  a  very  mountainous  and  barren  country', — along,  for 

part  of  the  way,  the  upper  waters  of  the  Gila,  and  then  down 

into  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande, — brought  the  troops  to 

17 


258  COLONEL  DONIPHAN  RESUMES  HIS  MARCH. 

that  river,  at  the  town  of  Soccorro,  a  pretty,  flourishing  place. 
Another  day's  march  down  the  river,  brought  them  to  the 
towu  of  Valverde,  one  hundred  and  ninety  miles  south  of 
Santa  Fe.  Here  they  found  a  large  collection  of  the  traders' 
wagons,  and  four  companies  of  the  regiment  who  had  come 
down  here  to  protect  these  wagons,  as  well  as  to  await  the 
coming  of  the  detachment,  preparatory  to  the  whole  march- 
ing to  the  southward,  to  join  General  Wool  at  Chihuahua; 
and,  on  the  arrival  of  a  small  train  of  wagons,  containing 
provisions,  &c.,  which  were  much  needed,  the  regiment  pro- 
ceeded on  to  the  southward,  down  the  Rio  Grande,  on  its 
eastern  bank,  by  easy  marches ;  leaving  Valverde  on  the 
17th  of  December. 

At  the  little  town  of  Fra  Christoval,  they  were  overtaken 
and  joined  by  Lieutenant-colonel  Mitchell,  of  the  second  Mis- 
souri regiment,  with  ninety-three  men.  A  little  to  the  south- 
ward of  Fra  Christoval,  the  river  becomes  hemmed  in  between 
high  and  precipitous  ledges  of  mountains,  which  render  a 
passage  along  its  bank  impossible.  The  road  leaves  the 
bank,  and  makes  a  bend  to  the  eastward,  passing  through  a 
long  Jornada,  (pron.  Homatha; — commonly,  by  the  soldiers, 
called  Hornatta).  The  name  means,  literally,  "  a  day's  jour- 
ney," and  is  especially  applied  to  those  long  tracts  without 
water,  which  must  be  passed  over  at  one  time.  This  one  is 
called  the  "Jornada  del  Muerto"  or  day's  journey  of  death.* 

After  passing  this  Jornada,  the  detachment  halted  at  a 
little  village,  when  within  thirty  miles  of  El  Paso,  to  wait 
for  the  artillery  and  some  men  of  the  regiment,  still  be- 
hind, on  the  road  from  Santa  Fe,  now  about  three  hundred 

*  This  Jornada  derives  its  name  from  this  circumstance: — About  halfway  through 
its  extent  of  seventy  miles,  is  a  small  spring,  seven  miles  from  the  road,  to  the  west ; 
•o  small  that  but  few  animals  can  drii.k  at  a  time. — It  is  solitary,  among  the  moun- 
tains ;  and,  as  the  Mexicans  and  traders  have  almost  invariably  been  obliged,  for  the 
want  of  water,  to  come  to  it ;  (for  their  pack  mules  are  not  able  to  go  more  than 
twenty  miles  a  day,  while  subsisting  on  this  grass ;  consequently  it  takes  several  days  to 
pass  through  it),  the  plundering  bands  of  the  Apache  Indians  have  made  it  a  place  of 
lying  in  wait  for  unsuspecting  travelers,  like  the  Arabs  at  an  oasis  on  the  desert — 
Many  fights  havetaken  place  over  this  little  spring ;  and  the  human  bones  of  those  who 
have  here  fallen  from  time  to  time,  are  scattered  thickly  around  it — Hence  the  name 
of  the  route,  of  which  this  dangerous  place  is  the  only  one  affording  water. 


SCENE  ON   CHRISTMAS  DAY  259 

and  twenty  miles  to  the  north. — Here  five  Mexicans  endea- 
vored, in  the  night,  to  go  to  El  Paso,  to  give  information  to 
the  Mexican  forces  there  of  the  strength  of  the  command. — 
Two  of  these  were  shot  by  the  picket  guard,  Captain  Ried's 
company,  three  miles  in  advance;  the  others  made  good  their 
escape. 

The  artillery  not  arriving  on  the  morning  of  December 
25th,  Christmas  day,  the  march  was  resumed ;  but  only  ten 
miles  was  made,  and  the  troops  encamped  on  the  river,  to 
the  right  of  the  road,  as  it  came  down  ;  it  here  turned  off 
from  the  river  bank,  to  avoid  a.  succession  of  little  sandy  rises 
of  land,  one  end  of  which  came  near  the  river  lower  down, 
and  the  other  coming  round  nearly  in  a  semi-circle,  ended 
above,  on  the  lower  land. — These  little  hills  were  but  of  gen- 
tle elevation  ;  but  the  road  turned  off,  as  said  before,  to  the 
left,  passed  around  the  upper  extremity  of  them,  and  then 
wound  round  in  the  rear,  coming  to  the  river  again  ;  then 
continuing  its  wa}r  along  the  bank  to  El  Paso,  about  twenty 
miles  distant. — Between  these  semi-circular  hills  and  the 
bend  of  the  river  was  a  large  area  of  level  land.  Into  this 
area  the  head  of  the  column,  leaving  the  road  as  it  wound 
to  the  left,  round  the  hills,  turned,  and  all  passed  on  towards 
its  centre,  some  hundred  or  two  yards  from  the  river,  and  halt- 
ing, encamped. — This  was  soon  done  ;  for  they  had  no  tents, 
having  left  them  when  they  went  into  the  Indian  country. 
The  horses  were  soon  unsaddled,  and  the  piles  of  arms,  sad- 
dles, <fec.,  placed  down  in  regular  rows  of  companies,  where 
the  tents  would  have  been  placed,  had  they  possessed  them. 
The  horses  were  then  all  turned  out  in  the  area  to  graze,  for 
other  forage  than  grass  they  seldom  saw. 

The  day  being  very  pleasant,  many  of  the  men  stretched 
themselves  out  to  sleep,  according  to  usual  custom,  when  ar- 
riving in  camp  ;  while  some  from  each  mess  scattered  about 
in  every  direction,  for  some  distance  from  the  camp,  to  get 
wood  to  make  their  fires.  There  being  little  else  but  brush 
wood,  they  went  off  some  distance. — The  little  hills  com- 
pletely hid  the  road  towards  El  Paso  from  the  view  of  those 
in  camp.  In  the  meantime,  the  wagons,  which  had  been 
behind,  were  rolling  along  leisurely  to  the  camp. 


260  BATTLE  OF   BRAZITO- 

In  this  position  were  affairs,  when  some  who  had  been  up 
the  hills  after  wood,  and  who  could  see  down  the  road  from 
there,  came  running  into  camp  with  the  intelligence  that  a 
large  force  of  the  enemy  were  advancing  up  the  road  at  full 
speed,  and  were  then  within  half  a  mile.  Every  man  jump- 
ed to  his  feet ;  and  above  the  hill,  at  a  short  distance,  the 
thick  volumes  of  dust,  rolling  in  the  air,  announced  the  en- 
emy's rapid  approach. — The  bugles  sounded  clearly  ; — every 
one  seized  his  arms. — The  order  was  given  to  "  saddle  up  ; " 
but  in  a  moment  the  uniforms  of  the  Mexican  cavalry  were 
seen,  in  a  cloud  of  dust,  to  come  whirling  round  the  upper 
part  of  the  hill,  only  a  few  hundred  yards  distant. — The 
order  was  countermanded  in  an  instant,  and  the  troops 
directed  to  fall  into  line  on  foot. — Those  that  were  out  on 
the  other  sides  dropped  their  wood,  that  they  had  collected 
with  so  much  trouble,  and  ran  into  camp. — Here  was  a 
busy  scene : — scampering  in  every  direction  after  their 
guns,  which,  from  habit,  they  had  laid  so  as  to  get  hold  of 
quickly ; — belting  on  swords  and  cartridge  boxes,  and 
running  into  line,  all  puffing  and  nearly  out  of  breath. — 
The  wagon  master,  with  his  teamsters  and  guard,  was 
throwing  his  wagons  into  a  close  circle,  to  defend  them. — 
Colonel  Doniphan,  Lieutenant-colonel  Mitchell,  and  one  or 
two  other  officers,  succeeded  in  getting  their  horses,  which 
had  been  tied  up. 

The  Mexican  cavalry  halted  a  few  moments,  while  the  in- 
fantry came  into  line. — That  halt  was  fatal  to  them ;  for,  in 
those  few  moments,  the  line  of  the  Missourians  was  formed 
shoulder  to  shoulder,  while  the  few  remaining  absentees  ran 
up  and  got  into  it.  Colonel  Doniphan  and  Lieut.  Col.  Mitch- 
ell rode  up  and  down  the  line,  to  see  it  correct,  and  every  one 
gathered  full  confidence,  from  the  very  quickness  with  which 
they  had  extricated  themselves  from  their  perilous  unpre- 
pared situation  ;  and  that  confidence  was  reflected  from 
commander  to  soldiers,  and  from  the  line  of  soldiers  back  to 
their  commander.  In  five  minutes,  never  were  there  a  set 
of  men  more  prepared,  in  resolution  and  confidence,  to  go 
into  a  desperate  encounter. 

By  this  time,  the  Mexican  infantry,  which  had  rode  on  horses 


BATTLE  OF  BRAZITO. 

and  mules  to  the  scene  of  action,  (by  which  they  had  been 
enabled  to  come  up  so  quickly),  had  thrown  themselves  from 
their  animals,  tied  them  to  the  bushes  back  of  the  hills,  and 
appeared  in  order  and  force  at  the  extremity  nearest  the 
river,  and  on  the  body  of  the  hills,  and  formed  in  such  large 
numbers,  with  the  cavalry  on  the  centre  of  the  hills,  and 
on  the  other  extremity,  deploying  into  such  an  extended  col- 
umn, that  there  seemed  no  chance  for  the  small  collection  of 
men,  drawn  up  in  one  single  line  on  the  plain  below,  to  op- 
pose them. — Added  to  this,  a  field  piece  was  also,  by  the 
Mexicans,  drawn  up  in  the  valley,  near  the  river. 

A  Mexican  officer  now  rode  out  from  that  line  for  a  parley. 
— The  interpreter,  Mr.  Caldwell,  a  man  who  had  lived  as  a 
trader  in  New  Mexico,  and  who  knew  their  language  and 
customs  as  well  as  they  did  themselves,  advanced  to  meet 
him ;  and  in  front  of  both  lines  they  came  near,  and  the 
Mexican  demanded  the  surrender  of  the  force  ; — this,  he  was 
told,  was  impossible. 

After  a  few  more  words,  the  Mexican,  waving  a  black  flag 
that  he  held  in  his  hand,  told  him  "to  prepare  for  the  charge ; 
that  they  asked  no  quarter,  and  would  give  none !" — In  ano- 
ther moment  the  interpreter  returned,  and  the  word  of  "  no 
quarter,"  asked  by  the  enemy,  or  given  by  them,  was  passed 
along  the  lines ;  and  it  served  but  to  stimulate  the  men  to 
more  iron  energy  in  their  defence. — The  odds  looked  fearful  : 
on  one  side,  a  gallant  army  of  fourteen  hundred  men,  seven 
hundred  of  them  cavalry,  well  armed,  and  ready  for  the  charge 
upon  a  single  line  of  footmen,  who  were  without  bayonets  to 
repel  them ;  while  seven  hundred  infantry  were  forming  on 
the  other  flank,  to  advance  upon  them,  and  a  cannon  in  front 
was  within  canister  distance,  to  pour  its  murderous  fire  upon 
them :  and  three  more  cannon,  coming  in  the  rear ;  and 
already  the  assurance  was  given  by  the  black  flag,  and 
repeated  by  word  of  the  enemy,  that  death  alone  would 
be  awarded  to  all. — But  the  little  band  of  less  than  five 
hundred*  were  cool  and  collected,  as  upon  an  evening 

*  Lieut.  Col.  Jackson,  with  a  large  detachment,  being  behind,  at  another  encamp- 
ment, engaged  in  retaking  a  great  number  of  their  horses  and  mules,  which  had  es- 
caped from  them  and  returned  a  day's  march. 


262  BATTLE  OF   BRAZITO. 

drill.  The  colonel  rode  along  the  lines,  ordering  the  men  to 
squat,  and  drop  down,  one  after  another,  when  the  Mexican 
fire  commenced,  in  order  that  they  might  bring  the  enemy  up 
close  ;  and  then  to  rise  at  the  command,  when  given,  and 
pour  their  volley  into  the  enemy's  ranks,  with  coolness  and 
Accuracy  of  aim. — Thinking  them  a  little  too  far  from  the 
x'iver,  he  ordered  them  to  retire  a  little  by  the  backward  step ; 
which  they  did  with  their  places  in  line,  and  their  fronts  to 
the  imposing  numbers  of  the  enemy. — While  stepping  back, 
the  bugles  of  the  Mexicans  sounded  the  charge,  and  the  heavy 
columns  of  infantry  fired  volley  after  volley,  while  the  field 
piece  sent  a  shower  of  metal  over  the  heads  of  the  Americans. 
The  cavalry  fired, drew  their  sabres,  and  putting  their  columns 
in  motion,  advanced  at  a  rapid  rate.  The  American  line  was 
apparently  sinking  under  their  fire  ;  and  the  shouts  of  "  bue- 
TW,"  " bueno"  (good  !  good !)  could  be  heard  from  their  ranks, 
as  they  spurred  their  horses  on  to  ride  down  the  survivors. 
— When  within  a  few  yards,  at  the  command,  those  that  they 
had  apparently  mistaken  for  dead  or  wounded,  rose  to  their 
feet,  and  pouring  a  deadly  fire  into  them,  swept  the  front 
ranks  of  all  their  riders  :  so  steady  their  aim,  that  few  shots 
were  lost  by  being  too  high,  and  few  went  so  low  as  to  touch 
a  horse  ;  but  the  riders  fell  in  numbers.  General  Ponce,  the 
commander,  was  mortally  wounded. — Astounded,  they  broke, 
in  confusion  ;  while  the  infantry,  on  the  right,  being  receiv- 
ed in  the  same  way,  fell  back,  and  only  were  anxious  to  re- 
gain their  mules  and  horses,  while  the  cavalry  rallied,  and 
made  another  attack  on  the  wagon  train,  on  the  extreme 
left — secure,  they  thought,  in  getting  that.  But  the  team- 
sters, each  armed,  and  the  guard,  or  assistant  teamsters  at- 
tending, from  within  their  circle  of  wagons,  poured  out  such 
a  stream  of  fire  and  death,  that  they  could  not  bear  it,  but 
retreated  over  the  hill;  and  while  the  line  remained  expect- 
ing another  attack,  they,  under  cover  of  the  hill,  retreated. 
— In  the  meantime,  some  of  the  men,  from  companies  G  and 
F,  had  left  the  lines,  and  dashing  on  their  cannon,  took  it. — 
In  an  hour  from  the  time  that  they  approached  at  such  a  ra- 
pid rate,  eager  almost  to  devour  the  Americans,  and  confident 
of  victory,  they  were  retreating  at  as  rapid  a  rate,  leaving 


TOWN  OF   EL  PASO.  263 

on  and  near  the  ground  seventy-one  dead,  and  carrying  away 
one  hundred  and  fifty-six  of  the  wounded — leaving  eight 
to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans ;  by  whom,  how- 
ever, they  were  kindly  treated.  Six  of  these  died  during  the 
following  night. — The  loss  to  the  Missourians  was  only  eight 
wounded. — As  there  were  none  mounted,  and  some  time  was 
lost  in  waiting  at  their  posts,  expecting  the  next  attack,  the 
Americans  did  not  succeed  in  overtaking  the  fugitives. — And 
thus  ended  the  battle  of  Brazito,  not  longer  in  time  than  an 
ordinary  dinner,  but  hard-fought,  and  with  a  vast  difference 
in  numbers  and  situation ;  and  in  which  the  Missouri  troops, 
although  taken  by  surprise,  and  unprepared,  behaved  with  a 
coolness  and  bravery  which  excited  the  admiration  of  the 
ot,her  divisions  of  the  army,  and  of  the  whole  body  of  people 
at  home,  when  the  accounts  of  the  battle  reached  there. 

The  troops  remained  encamped  on  the  ground  until  eleven 
o'clock  the  next  day,  when  they  marched  to  within  five  miles 
of  El  Paso.  The  next  morning  £the  27th)  they  marched  to- 
wards the  town. — They  were  met,  two  miles  from  it,  by 
the  deputation,  consisting  of  the  alcalde  and  three  of  the 
principal  citizens,  who  surrendered  the  place  at  discretion. 
— The  division  marched  into  the  public  square  ;  and  the  first 
fruits  of  victory  were  soon  realized,  in  having  comfortable 
quarters,  and  plenty  of  provisions  for  themselves,  and  of  for- 
age for  their  horses. — The  Mexican  army  retreated  to  Carri- 
zal,  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  from  the  scene  of  action. 
— After  the  troops  had  occupied  El  Paso  about  seven  days, 
they  were  joined  by  the  artillery,  Captain  Weightman,  from 
Santa  Fe — one  hundred  and  seventeen  men, — and,  also,  the 
remaining  detachment  of  the  regiment — about  one  hundred 
men.  Thus  the  force  of  Colonel  Doniphan  was  increased  to 
upwards  of  nine  hundred  men,  with  six  pieces  of  artillery. 

El  Paso  is  quite  a  beautiful  town,  on  the  bank  of  the 
Rio  Grande,  which  here  is  fordable  and  of  clear  water.  The 
town  is  like  other  Mexican  places  in  manner  of  building : — 
streets  at  right  angles  ;  houses  of  one  story,  flat  stone  roofs, 
parapet  walls,  &c.,  &c. — The  plaza  of  the  town  was  the 
barracks  of  the  troops.  Requisitions  were  made  on  the  au- 
thorities, for  the  necessary  amount  of  meal,  &c. 


264  RECAPITULATION   OF  ARMY  MOVEMENTS. 

The  people  of  the  place  were  well  treated  by  the  troops ; 
but  they  could  not  forget  the  awful  thrashing  they  had  re- 
ceived from  them,  for  a  part  of  the  Mexican  forces  at  the 
battle  were  from  the  town  ;  consequently,  though  they  pro- 
fessed friendship,  yet  they  had  the  deepest  enmity  to  them. 

Now,  leaving  Colonel  Doniphan  and  his  regiment  in  the 
possession  of  El  Paso  del  Norte,  at  this  period,  the  close  of 
the  year  1846,  we  will  again  notice  that  regiment,  as  its  fu 
ture  operations  come  before  us,  commencing  the  account  of 
them  on  page 

We  will  now  make  a  hasty  recapitulation  of  all  that  had 
been  done  by  the  three  divisions  of  the  army,  up  to  this 
time,  and  the  positions  they  were  then  in. 

1st.  Army  of  occupation,  General  Taylor. — This  had  fought 
the  battles  of  Palo  Alto,  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  defence  of  fort 
Brown,  and  those  of  Monterey ; — had  taken  possession  of 
the  states  of  Tamaulipas,  Coahuila  and  New  Leon  ;  the 
cities  of  Matamoras,  Camargo,  Monterey,  Saltillo,  and  a 
great  number  of  other  towns,  and  were  now  stationed 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande,  on  the  east,  to  Saltillo, 
on  the  west,  with  divisions,  as  said  before,  under  generals 
Taylor,  Patterson,  and  Quitman,  preparing  to  move  to  the 
southward,  from  Monterey,  Matamoras  and  Camargo,  against 
Victoria. 

2d.  The  central  army,  under  General  Wool,  had  marched 
through  the  prairies  of  Texas  from  San  Antonio  to  the  Rio 
Grande,  and  across  the  state  of  Coahuila;  taking  the  towns 
of  Presido,  Santa  Rosa,  Monclova,  and  Parras,  beside  many 
smaller  ones  ;  and  they  were  now  at  Saltillo. 

3d.  The  northern  army,  under  General  Kearney,  had 
marched  across  the  plains,  and  had  conquered  the  whole  of 
New  Mexico ;  taking  possession  of  all  the  towns  in  that 
state  situated  in  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande ;  had  made  a 
campaign  against  the  Navajo  Indians,  and  fought  the  battle 
of  Brazito,  and  were  now  separated, — General  Kearney  in 
California  with  part  of  his  forces ; — part  left  at  Santa  Fe 
to  hold  the  possession  of  that  country,  and  Colonel  Doni- 
phan's  regiment  in  possession  of  the  town  of  El  Paso  del 
Norte. 


OPERATIONS  OF  THE  GULF  SQUADRON.         265 

Now,  reader,  having  given  a  sketch  of  the  movements  of 
each  division  of  the  army,  up  to  the  close  of  the  year  1846, 
let  us  leave  them,  in  possession  of  their  various  situa- 
tions at  this  time,  and  take  a  glance  at  the  operations 
of  the  navy,  from  the  commencement  of  the  war  up  to  the 
same  time. 

On  the  18th  of  May,  eleven  days  after  the  battle  of  Resaca 
de  la  Palma,  the  Gulf  squadron  of  the  U.  S.  navy,  con- 
sisting of  the  ships  of  war  .Falmouth,  John  Adams,  Raritan, 
Somers,  St.  Marys,  and  steamer  Mississippi,  commenced  the 
blockade  of  Vera  Cruz,  Tampico,  and  the  whole  of  the  east- 
ern coast  of  Mexico,  save  the  province  of  Yucatan  ;  which 
was  in  a  state  of  revolt  against  the  government  of  that  coun- 
try.— This  exception  in  their  behalf,  it,  was  soon  found,  they 
abused  by  importing  into  their  towns  large  quantities  of  mu- 
nitions of  war,  and  transporting  them  by  land  into  Mexico ; 
to  whom,  their  parent  state,  they  were  at  heart  in  friendship, 
though  nominally  at  variance.  This  traffic  was  carried  on 
for  some  time,  until  their  ports  were  at  last  laid  under  the 
same  blockade,  and  that  trade  stopped. 

The  fleet  on  this  station  had  a  hard  task  to  perform  in 
blockading  so  large  an  extent  of  coast,  though  several  more 
vessels  of  war  were  soon  sent  to  join  the  squadron ; — these 
were  the  Cumberland  and  Potomac  frigates,  the  steamers 
Princeton,  Vixen  and  Petrita,  the  brig  Truxton,  and  others, 
all  of  which  were  under  the  command  of  Commodore  Con- 
ner. There  were  no  prizes  1o  be  taken,  save  a  few  coasting 
vessels  (and  some  larger  ones,  taken  when  endeavoring  to 
run  the  blockade). 

The  boats  of  the  St.  Marys  exchanged  a  few  shot  with  the 
forts  at  the  mouth  of  the  Panuco  river,  near  Tampico,  with, 
however,  but  little  effect. — Afterward,  part  of  the  squadron 
made  two  attempts  to  take  the  town  of  Alvarado,  situated 
twenty-eight  miles  to  the  south-east  of  Vera  Cruz  ;  but  these 
failed,  on  account  of  there  not  being  a  sufficient  depth  of 
water  on  the  bar  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  to  take  the  vessels 
over.  In  spite  of  all  endeavors  to  prevent  it,  several  vessels 
run  the  blockade  into  Vera  Cruz  during  the  "  northers;"  for, 
in  these  strong  winds,  the  only  anchorages  at  which  the  ves- 


266  OPERATIONS  OF  GULF  SQUADRON. 

sels  could  lie  were  at  Sacrifices  and  Anton  Lizardo,  one  three 
and  a  half,  and  the  other  nine  miles  from  the  city,  to  the 
south-east,  or  to  the  leeward. 

On  the  15th  of  August,  the  United  States'  brig  Truxton, 
of  ten  guns,  was  lost,  by  the  carelessness  of  the  pilot,  in  ta- 
king her  into  an  anchorage  near  Tuspan.  The  commander, 
Captain  Carpenter,  and  all  the  officers  and  crew,  were  taken 
prisoners  of  war,  with  the  exception  of  two  lieutenants, 
Berryman  and  Hunter,  with  nineteen  men,  who  left  the  ves- 
sel ; — the  first  in  a  boat,  to  go  to  the  squadron  at  Vera  Cruz, 
to  obtain  assistance ;  the  second,  in  another  boat,  captured  a 
Mexican  sail  that  hove  in  sight,  and  took  her  to  the  squad- 
ron also. 

On  the  14th  of  November,  Commodore  Perry  took  posses- 
sion of  the  important  city  of  Tampico,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Panuco  river.  This  was  the  second  commercial  city  of  Mexico. 
— It  had  been  abandoned  by  the  Mexican  force,  a  little  while 
before.  Their  object,  in  this  movement,  is  hard  to  perceive. 

On  the  26th  of  November,  Commodore  Perry,  with  six 
vessels,  attacked  the  city  of  Tobasco,  and  nearly  destroyed 
it,  by  a  severe  cannonading ;  answered,  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy,  by  the  forts  ;  with  a  loss  to  the  Americans  of  a  few 
men  killed  and  wounded ; — among  them  was  Lieutenant 
Morris,  who  received  a  mortal  wound.  When  the  squadron 
retired  from  the  place,  it  took  with  it,  as  prizes,  one  Mexi- 
can brig,  two  steamers,  four  schooners,  one  sloop,  and  seven 
smaller  vessels  ; — one  of  the  schooners  at  first  taken,  having 
run  aground,  was  burned. 

About  the  first  of  December,  a  gallant  and  successful  at- 
tempt to  burn  a  vessel,  under  the  guns  of  the  castle  of  San 
Juan  de  Ulloa,  was  planned,  and  executed  in  the  night,  by  a 
party  from  the  United  States'  brig  Somers,  of  ten  guns. — 
Shorly  after,  midshipman  Rogers  and  surgeon  Wright,  of  the 
same  vessel,  with  a  boat's  crew,  landed  in  the  night,  near  to 
the  town  of  Vera  Cruz,  to  examine  the  position  of  the  mag- 
azine, to  blow  it  up,  if  possible. — These,  however,  were  dis- 
covered, and  Rogers  and  one  seaman  taken  prisoners. 

A  few  days  afterwards,  on  the  evening  of  December  7th, 
the  Somers  was  capsized  in  a  squall,  not  far  from  the  anchor- 


OPERATIONS   OF   PACIFIC   SQUADRON.  267 

age,  and  sunk  in  less  than  fifteen  minutes ;  and  more  than 
thirty  of  her  crew  were  drowned. 

The  services  of  the  whole  Gulf  squadron  were,  during  the 
summer  and  fall,  extremely  arduous. — The  scurvy  broke  out 
among  the  crews ;  and  that  of  the  frigate  Raritan  was  nearly 
disabled,  from  its  effects. 

Leaving  this  fleet,  now,  at  the  close  of  the  year,  blocka- 
ding still  the  ports  on  the  eastern  coast  of  Mexico,  let  us 
turn  to  the  operations  of  the  Pacific  squadron,  on  the  west- 
ern coast,  under  Commodore  Sloat ;  from  which,  on  account 
of  distance,  nothing  was  heard  for  some  time  after  the  war 
broke  out ;  and  against  the  commander  of  which,  many  char- 
ges of  "  inactivity/'  &c.,  &c.,  were,  in  the  meantime,  made 
by  many  portions  of  the  public  press  of  the  United  States. 
— With  what  justice  these  charges  were  made,  we  will  take 
notice. 

Before  the  actual  commencement  of  hostilities,  the  United 
States  had  a  large  fleet  in  the  Pacific  ocean ;  most  of  which 
were  on,  or  near,  the  western  coast  of  Mexico,  This  fleet 
consisted  of  the 

Frigate    Savannah 54  guns,  Commodore  Sloat; 

do.        Congress 56  do.     Captain  Stockton ; 

do.  Constitution,  60  do. 

Corvette  Portsmouth- -22  do. 

do.        Warren 22  do. 

do.        Cyane 24  do. 

do.  Levant 20  do. 

Schooner  Shark 12  do. 

Transp't  Erie  5  do. 

Commodore  Sloat,  in  the  Savannah,  was  at  the  port  of  Ma- 
zatlan,  on  the  western  part  of  Mexico,  to  the  southward  of 
the  Californias,  when,  on  the  7th  of  June,  he  heard  rumors 
of  actual  hostilities  between  the  two  nations,  and  a  vague 
report  of  the  actions  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma. 
— Nothing  definite  could  he  learn :  all  the  information  was 
through  some  extracts  of  letters  from  the  interior  of  Mexico, 
sent  to  Mexicans  in  Mazatlan. — The  gallant  commodore  was 
completely  at  a  loss,  for  a  few  hours,  to  determine  his  course 


268  OPERATIONS  0*'  PACIFIC  FLEET, 

— If  this  information  was  correct,  it  was  of  the  first  impor- 
tance that  the  sea  coast  of  the  province  of  Upper  California 
should  be  taken  at  once,  by  the  naval  force  ;  and  he  had  suf- 
ficient force  to  do  this,  and  could  immediately  strike  an  im- 
portant blow  in  that  quarter. — But,  on  the  other  hand,  these 
reports  might  not  be  true,  and  the  United  States  and  Mexico 
might  still  be  at  peace.  If  this  should  be  the  case,  any  pos- 
session that  he  might  take  of  towns  on  the  coast  of  Califor- 
nia, would  but  widen  the  breach  between  the  two  countries  ; 
and,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  give  cause  to  Mexico 
for  a  war;  and,  moreover,  in  such  a  case,  he  would  himself 
be  liable  to  public  reprehension,  and  be  certain  of  procuring 
for  himself  the  honor  of  an  investigation  into  his  conduct  by 
a  naval  court  martial ; — which  prospect  was  not  agreeable  : 
for  the  commodore  had  a  case  directly  in  point,  before  him ; 
which  was  that  of  Commodore  Jones,  who,  in  command  of 
the  squadron  on  this  coast,  in  1842,  was  deceived  by  precise- 
ly a  similar  rumor  to  this,  and,  acting  upon  it,  sailed  for 
Monterey,  the  capital  of  Upper  California,  and  to  the  utter 
astonishment  of  the  people,  landed  a  force  and  took  posses- 
sion of  the  place; — disregarding  their  assurances  of  peace 
between  the  nations,  &c.,  until,  after  a  few  days'  possession, 
he  found  that  he  was  wrong;  and  then  immediately,  in  the 
most  quiet  manner  he  could,  he  surrendered  it  into  the  hands 
of  the  authorities  again. 

The  effect  of  the  whole  transaction  was,  1st,  to  make  Com- 
modore Jones  and  his  officers  feel  extremely  mortified ;  2d, 
to  bring  down  on  them  the  censure  of  the  public  voice,  in 
both  countries ;  3d,  to  subject  the  noble  old  commodore  to  a 
severe  investigation  of  his  conduct  and  motives,  by  a  court 
martial, — always  unpleasant,  and  grating  to  the  feelings  of 
any  officer,  but  much  more  so  to  one  in  high  command,  and 
in  whose  judgment  the  government  of  the  United  States  had 
shown  their  confidence,  by  confiding  to  him,  in  a  distant  sea, 
the  interests  of  the  nation.  And,  beside  all  this,  it  gave  a 
cause  of  complaint  to  Mexico,  and,  in  a  considerable  degree» 
assisted  her,  as  a  plausible  pretext  for  covering  her  conduct 
towards  the  United  States,  by  raising  loud  complaints  against 
this  occupation,  and  saddling  the  government  of  the  United 


UNDER  COMMODORE   SLOAT.  269 

States  with  the  order  to  Commodore  Jones  to  do  this  ;  while, 
at  the  same  time,  holding  out  to  her — Mexico — pacific  and 
friendly  offers. — All  over  that  republic  a  furious  hue  and  cry 
was  raised,  on  account  of  the  transaction. 

Now,  on  this  evening  of  the  7th  of  June,  after  hearing 
these  vague  reports,  all  this  rose  before  the  mind  of  Commo- 
dore Sloat. — If  he  took  the  responsibility  of  capturing  the 
coast  of  California  without  orders,  without  official  notice  of 
hostilities  between  the  two  nations,  and  especially  with  the 
example  of  the  proceedings  of  Commodore  Jones  before  him, 
and  these  reports  should  be  incorrect,  then,  the  consequen- 
ces to  him  would  be  severe ;  and  to  both  nations  of  much 
injury.  But  on  the  other  hand,  if  they  were  true,  his  quick 
operations  would  be  of  most  decided  advantage  to  his  coun- 
try.— Far  off,  in  that  ocean,  the  actual  position  of  the  two 
governments  was  unknown  to  him ; — his  data,  upon  which 
to  form  his  calculations  upon  actions  so  important,  were  un- 
satisfactory ; — the  moment  was  critical ;  there  was  but  little 
time  for  reflection. — He  considered  the  whole  ;  determined 
to  take  the  responsibility,  run  all  risk,  and  perform  it. — 
Once  determined,  there  was  no  delay. 

The  sun,  when  rising  the  following  morning,  revealed  to 
the  inhabitants,  the  busy  squadron,  raising  their  anchors  and 
loosing  their  sails  ;  and,  at  eight  o'clock,  under  a  crowd  of 
canvass  spread  to  the  breeze,  they  left  the  port,  and  were 
soon  lost  to  view  over  the  distant  waters. 

He  arrived  at  Monterey,  the  capital  of  Upper  California, 
before  the  news  of  hostilities  reached  there,  and  took  undis- 
puted possession  of  the  town,  and  hoisted  the  flag  of  the 
United  States  over  it  on  the  7th  of  July  ;  and  on  the  9th,  in 
the  same  manner,  took  possession  of  the  town  of  San 
Francisco,  (situated  at  the  mouth,  and  commanding  the  bay, 
of  San  Francisco ;  one  of  the  best  harbors  on  the  Pacific 
coast) ;  also  of  the  towns  of  Sonoma  and  Bodega. 

On  the  12th,  the  American  flag  was  floating  over  the  town 
Pueblo  de  San  Jose  ;  and  also,  Captain  Sutter,  the  enterpris- 
ing master  of  the  settlement  of  Nueva  Helvetia,  on  the  wa- 
ters of  the  Sacramento,  raised  the  flag  over  his  fort. — 
(Colonel  Fremont  describes  this  fort  as  being  able  to 


270  EXPEDITION  AGAINST   SAN  DIEGO. 

admit  a  garrison  of  one  thousand  men,  and  as  mounting 
twelve  pieces  of  artillery;  in  that  country,  a  formidable 
stronghold). 

On  the  16th,  a  fortified  position,  the  mission  of  San  Juan, 
forty  miles  from  Monterey,  was  taken,  and  a  garrison  put 
into  it. 

On  the  26th,  the  corvette  Cyane,  of  twenty-four  guns,  sailed 
down  the  coast  with  Colonel  Fremont's*  riflemen,  (who  for- 
tunately, \vere  in  the  neighborhood  on  the  arrival  of  the 
squadron),  to  attack  San  Diego. 

All  the  ports  on  the  coast  of  Upper  California  were  taken 
by  the  forces  of  Commodore  Sloat.  (Still,  as  said  before, 
without  crders,  or  even  official  information  that  war  had 
taken  place ;  but,  as  he  had  commenced  at  the  capital,  he 
took  the  whole).  He  issued  a  proclamation  to  the  people  of 
California,  in  which  he  invited  all  of  the  prefects,  alcaldes, 
and  other  civil  officers,  under  the  Mexican  rule,  to  remain  in 
the  exercise  of  the  powers  of  their  various  offices ;  assuring 

*  Captain,  (afterward  colonel),  Fremont  arrived  in  California  with  his  party  of  ex- 
ploration from  the  United  States,  before  the  commencement  of  the  war  ;  that  is,  about 
the  1st  of  January,  1846  ;  and  as  he  had  been  in  the  country  before,  he  felt  no  hesi- 
tation in  leaving  his  camp,  and  proceeding  into  the  town  of  Monterey,  alone ;  where, 
meeting  the  Mexican  authorities,  he  explained  to  them  the  scientific  object  of  his  explo- 
ration, &c.,  with  which  they  were  satisfied  ;  but  in  a  day  or  two  after,  choosing  to  re- 
gard him  as  an  invader^the  governor,  General  Castro,  sent  to  Captain  Fremont  an 
imperative  and  insulting  order,  to  quit  the  province  of  California  immediately. — This 
Fremont  refused  to  be  compelled  to  do ;  and,  being  encamped  in  a  strong  position, 
with  his  little  party  of  about  sixty  all  told,  sent  word  to  General  Castro  that  he  should 
not  do  it,  but,  on  the  contrary,  if  attacked,  should  defend  himself  to  the  last. — Castro 
immediately  collected  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  to  expel  the  invaders,  as  he 
termed  them;  but  not  daring  to  make  an  attack,  for  several  days,  Fremont's  party  r«- 
mained  in  their  camp,  and  then  left,  for  the  renewal  of  their  explorations  in  the  pro- 
vince. In  their  camp  was  left  some  old  baggage,  worn  out  camp  kettles,  &c. ; — these 
the  valorous  General  Castro  immediately  seized  upon,  and  made  out  a  flowing  dispatch 
to  the  government  of  Mexico,  stating  that  the  American  army  of  invasion  had  been 
repulsed  by  him,  and  had  retreated  with  such  precipitancy,  that  they  had  left  all  their 
camp  equipage,  which  had  fallen  into  his  hands !  Fremont  pursued  his  observations. 
Castro,  with  a  larger  force,  determined  to  exterminate  the  Americans;  and  pressed 
him  so  closely,  that,  although  ignorant  of  the  war,  Capt  Fremont  was  obliged  to 
turn  upon  his  adversary  ;  which  he  did,  promptly.  Then  capturing  a  detachment  of 
Mexican  troops;  on  the  15th  taking  Sonoma,  by  surprise ;  on  the  25th  cutting  to 
pieces  the  advance  guard  of  Castro's  army ;  and  finally,  on  the  4th  of  July,  thre« 
days  before  Commodore  Sloat's  arrival,  declaring  the  independence  of  California. 


GENERAL   KEARNEY'S   ARRIVAL  IN   CALIFORNIA,  271 

all  quiet  citizens  of  protection,  and  informing  them  that  every 
thing  demanded,  for  the  use  of  the  United  States'  ships  and 
troops,  should  be  paid  for  at  fair  prices,  &c. 

After  taking  possession  of  the  whole  coast,  the  gallant 
commodore  left  again  for  Mazatlan,  which  he  reached  about 
the  middle  of  August ;  and  found,  just  arrived  for  him,  offi- 
cial communications  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  at 
Washington,  of  the  existing  war  with  Mexico,  accompanied 
with  orders  to  do  all  that  he  had  just  accomplished ! — The 
conduct  of  this  officer,  during  the  whole  of  these  operations, 
in  the  peculiar  circumstances  in  which  he  was  placed,  cer- 
tainly deserves  the  highest  commendation. — Though  little 
has  been  said  about  it; — for,  from  the  distance,  it  took  such 
a  length  of  time  for  the  reports  of  the  capture  of  the  pro- 
vince to  reach  the  United  States,  and  so  many  stirring  events 
were  happening  in  the  army,  nearer  at  home, — these  opera- 
tions passed  without  their  merited  degree  of  praise. — Com- 
modore Sloat,  afterwards,  yielding  the  command  of  the  Pa- 
cific fleet — which  then  was  engaged  in  guarding  the  coast  of 
California,  and  blockading  that  of  southern  Mexico, — to  Com- 
modore Stockton,  returned  to  the  United  States;  leaving  Cali- 
fornia in  a  state  of  quiet,  under  its  new  government. — An 
insurrection  afterward  broke  out  against  this,  but  was  quell- 
ed by  General  Kearney,  then  arrived  from  Santa  Fe,  Colonel 
Fremont,  and  Commodore  Stockton. 

The  United  States,  in  the  meantime,  had  sent  into  Califor- 
nia, under  General  Kearney,  a  battalion  of  Mormon  infantry, 
five  hundred  strong,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Colo- 
nel Cooke,  through  from  Missouri  by  Santa  Fe  ;  and  also  sent 
a  regiment  of  nearly  one  thousand  strong,  under  Colonel  Ste- 
phenson,  from  the  city  of  New  York,  round  by  sea,  to  the 
same  province.  This  regiment  was  mustered  in  for  the  war, 
and  was  composed  of  men  whose  desire  it  was,  to  remain  in 
that  country  afterward,  as  citizens. — In  addition  to  this,  was 
a  force  of  California  residents,  mustered  into  service  by  Co- 
lonel Fremont. — All  these,  together  with  part  of  the  fleer, 
held  California  perfectly  secure.  The  remainder  of  the  fleet 
were  engaged  in  the  strict  blockade  of  the  Mexican  Pacific 
coast  below  California. 


272  CHANGE   IN   MEXICAN   GOVERNMENT. 

Now,  reader,  we  have  given  you  a  correct  account  of  all 
the  operations  of  the  war  up  to  the  close  of  the  year  1846 
and  are  about  to  enter  upon  those  of  1847. — But  let  us,  in 
the  meantime,  devote  a  little  space  to  the  change  that  had 
been  made  in  the  administration  of  the  government  of  Mex- 
ico, and  her  action  with  regard  to  the  proposals  of  peace  that 
had  been  made  by  the  United  States. 

As  said  in  the  commencement  of  this  work,  revolution  af- 
ter revolution  had  followed  in  Mexico,  for  several  years  ;  but 
of  late,  all  the  heads  of  that  government,  though  differing 
widely  on  other  subjects,  had  been  hostile  to  the  United  States, 
and  all  were  more  or  less  in  favor  of  open  hostilities  with  that 
power; — though  the  government  of  Herrera,  which  continued 
from  June  until  December,  1845,  was  less  so  than  the  others. 
On  this  very  account  was  that  government  deposed,  and  Gen- 
eral Paredes,  bitterly  hostile  to  the  United  States,  was  ele- 
vated to  the  presidency  ;  and  active  operations  were  imme- 
diately commenced,  for  the  prosecution  of  the  war. — After 
the  battles  of  the  8th  and  9th  of  May,  every  nerve  was  strain- 
ed, in  effecting  its  object. — The  government  of  Paredes  only 
existed  until  the  4th  of  August,  when  General  Salas,  and  his 
associates,  rose,  seized  the  reins  of  power,  and  imprisoning 
Paredes,  invited  Santa  Anna  to  return  from  Havana,  where 
he  had  been  in  banishment  from  his  country  for  little  more 
than  a  year,  and  to  take  the  direction  of  affairs. — Santa  Anna 
being  the  enemy  of  the  administration  which  had  been  in 
power,  and  which  had  directly  brought  on  the  war  with  the 
United  States,  the  government  of  the  latter  offered  no  ob- 
stacle to  his  return ;  thinking  that  his  policy  would  be  tg 
heal  the  breach  between  the  two  countries. — Commodore  Con- 
nor was  instructed  to  let  him  pass  the  fleet  undisturbed, 
which  he  did,  arriving  at  Vera  Cruz  on  the  16th  of  August; 
and  immediately  afterward  assumed  the  reins  of  government, 
amid  the  universal  rejoicing  of  the  fickle  populace,  whose 
confidence,  now,  was  great  in  their  strength;  and  it  was 
universally  predicted,  throughout  Mexico,  that  General  Santa 
Anna  would  soon  drive  all  the  Americans  from  the  borders 
of  the  republic. 

His  reception  at  Vera  Cruz  and  Jalapa  at  first,  and  after- 


SANTA  ANNA'S   RETURN   TO  MEXICO.  273 

ward  at  Puebla  and  other  towns  on  his  course  to  the  city  of 
Mexico,  was  most  enthusiastic,  aud  the  populace  and  leaders 
seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  rendering  him  homage. — 
By  delay  at  his  hacienda  of  Encerro,  he  did  not  arrive  at  the 
city  until  the  15th  of  September,  and  he  then  assumed  the 
supreme  executive  power. 

At  the  very  time  that  the  republic  received  her  great 
general  on  the  south,  she  lost  the  large  and  valuable  pro- 
vince of  New  Mexico  on  the  north,  Santa  Fe  being  taken  by 
General  Kearney. 

Information  had,  a  short  time  before,  been  received  at  the 
capital,  of  the  loss  of  California ;  and  the  first  news  that 
greeted  the  people,  after  their  idolized  general  had  taken 
his  place  in  power,  was  of  the  fall  of  the  strong  city  of  Mon- 
terey, with  its  garrison  of  ten  thousand  men,  before  the  quiet 
old  man,  Zachary  Taylor,  and  his  six  thousand  hated  "Amer- 
icanos."— The  news  of  the  loss  of  New  Mexico  followed ; — 
but  all  these  reverses  were  nothing  to  them ; — General  Santa 
Anna  would  soon  bring  every  thing  right. 

The  government  of  the  United  States  were  most  grievously 
deceived  in  him ;  for  no  sooner  was  he  ashore  in  Mexico, 
and  away  from  the  guns  of  the  fleet,  than  he  immediately 
treated  the  propositions  which  the  United  States  then  offered 
for  peace  with  contempt,  and  set  himself  seriously  to  rais- 
ing an  army. — At  this  time,  (the  close  of  the  year),  he  was 
at  San  Louis  Potosi,  with  an  army  of  about  twenty-two  or 
twenty-three  thousand  men,  cavalry,  infantry,  and  artillery, 
which,  with  great  labor,  he  had  drilled,  and  in  about  a  month 
after  this  time,  set  out  with  his  force,  to  accomplish  his  pur- 
pose of  "  driving  every  American  beyond  the  Sabine  river." 
— With  what  success  he  met  in  his  undertaking,  we  will  re- 
late hereafter. 

In  the  present  month,  December,  the  congress  of  Mexico  met, 
and  so  fully  convinced  were  they  of  the  glorious  conquest 
that  should  be  achieved  by  this  "  Napoleon  of  the  west,"  as 
Santa  Anna  called  himself  to  General  Houston  years  before, 
that  they  refused  to  hear  of  any  terms  of  peace,  until  the 
forces  of  the  United  States  should  be  recalled,  and  their  ves- 
sels of  war  withdrawn  from  their  coasts. — Of  course  the  war 
18 


274  POSITIONS   OF   AMERICAN   AND  MEXICAN   TROOPS. 

proceeded;  the  infatuated  Mexican  nation  seemed  determined 
to  draw  down  upon  itself  a  continuation  of  its  evils. 

Now  we  will  end  this  chapter,  with  the  recapitulation  of 
the  account  of  the  disposition  of  the  American,  and,  also,  the 
Mexican  troops,  at  this  time. — As  said  before,  General  Tay- 
lor's army  was  on  the  Rio  Grande,  and  through  the  states  of 
Nueva  Leon  and  Coahuila,  at  Brazos,  Matamoras,  Reynoso, 
Camargo,  Marin,  Ceralvo,  Monterey,  and  Saltillo  ;  in  posses- 
sion of  all  that  section  of  country. — General  Kearney  with 
part  of  his  in  California ;  part  near  Santa  Fe,  in  New  Mex- 
ico, and  Colonel  Doniphan's  regiment  at  El  Paso. — Tampico 
was  in  the  possession  of  a  force  of  our  troops,  consisting  of 
the  Alabama  regiment,  under  Colonel  Coffee,  and  eight  com- 
panies of  artillery,  all  under  Brig.  Gen.  Shields. — The  fleets 
of  vessels  of  war  on  both  coasts  were  enforcing  a  vigilant 
blockade. 

On  the  part  of  the  Mexicans,  Santa  Anna  was  at  San  Luis 
Potosi,  with  his  large  army  ;  General  Urrea  at  Victoria,  with 
a  considerable  force ;  General  Valencia  at  Tula,  farther  to 
the  south-west,  with  a  formidable  force  ;  General  Heredia  at 
Chihuahua,  with  five  thousand  men  ;  General  Cos  at  Tuzpan, 
with  two  thousand  ;  General  Morales  at  Vera  Cruz,  with  six 
thousand ;  and  smaller  garrisons  and  detachments,  of  from 
five  hundred  to  a  thousand  men,  were  in  all  the  towns  along 
the  coasts,  or  in  those  near  the  lines  of  the  American  army. 


CHAPTER     VIII. 

WE  will  now  enter  upon  the  minute  details  of  the  march 
of  our  regiment  and  division,  under  General  Patterson. — 
On  December  21st,  our  regiment  left  camp  Ringgold,  hav- 
ing our  horses  all  recruited  in  appearance  and  action,  and 
moved  into  town,  preparatory  to  the  march. — The  deserted 
camp  looked  desolate,  as  we  formed  in  line  on  our  old  pa- 
rade ground  ;  and  almost  every  one  cast  back  a  look  at  the 
place  as  the  column  left. 

Many  rancheros  were  secreted  about,  on  the  outside  of  the 
lake,  watching  our  departure ;  and  no  sooner  had  we  gone, 
save  the  rear  guard,  than  they  rushed  in  numbers  on  the 
ground,  which  was  covered  with  broken  saddles,  old  bridles, 
clothing  of  every  description,  much  of  it  good,  bars  of 
soap,  little  bags  of  beans,  rice,  flour,  and  any  quantity 
of  bread  and  pork  ;  (all  these  things  left  in  parcels,  by 
each  mess,  they  being  unable  to  carry  them  away,  for  now 
one  wagon  was  to  carry  everything  for  two  companies, 
instead  of  one,  as  before) ;  bent  and  broken  camp  kettles, 
still  good  for  stationary  use,  torn  canvass  of  tents,  straps, 
any  number  of  old  stirrups,  &c.,  &c.;  such  a  variety  as  was 
seldom  left  in  camp,  and  which  had  been  caused  by  the  al- 
most entirely  new  fit  out  that  every  man  had  provided  for 
himself. 

Into  this  variety  the  rancheros  rushed,  and  the  "  grab 
game "  was  played  to  admiration  by  them ;  much  to  the 
amusement  of  the  guard,  who  remained  on  their  horses  to  ob- 
serve the  scene. — The  only  difficulty  that  the  rancheros  had, 
was,  that  there  was  more  than  each  could  carry  off;  and  while 
some  ran  off  as  fast  as  possible  with  a  load,  to  be  back 

(275) 


276  MARCH   OF   GENERAL   PATTERSON'S   DIVISION. 

quickly,  others  were  running  about  making  heaps  of  the 
plunder,  and  a  great  time  they  had  of  it. 

The  regiment  marched  through  the  city,  and  encamped  on 
the  river  bank. — Captain  CaswelFs  company  had,  the  day 
before,  left  the  camp,  to  go  on,  as  the  advance,  with  the  third 
and  fourth  regiments  of  Illinois  infantry,  under  Brigadier- 
general  Pillow.  These  had  already  left  the  city,  and,  to- 
gether with  the  artillery,  had  moved  out  on  the  San  Fernan- 
do road,  eighteen  miles,  to  a  place  called  Moquite,  and  en- 
camped until  all  were  ready,  and  the  supplies  forwarded. 

December  22d.  Five  companies  more  of  our  regiment  left 
this  forenoon,  a  little  in  advance  of  Major-general  Patterson, 
for  Moquite ; — the  troops  of  the  division  being  now  all 
gone,  save  four  companies  of  us,  who  remained  until  the  suc- 
ceeding day. — In  the  meantime,  the  last  wagon  train  was 
sent  out,  with  the  cavalry. 

December  23d.  The  four  companies  of  us  who  had  remain- 
ed until  the  last,  this  morning  struck  our  tents  on  the  Rio 
Grande,  and  marched  into  town ;  were  halted  on  the  plaza, 
and  dismissed  for  an  hour,  while  the  few  remaining  wagons 
took  the  road. — We  had  orders  to  re-assemble  quickly,  at  the 
sound  of  the  bugles. — All  of  the  American  population  of  the 
city  were,  this  morning,  in  a  state  of  ferment.  A  steamboat 
had  arrived  from  up  the  river,  and  her  advices  brought,  were 
of  a  most  exciting  character. — They  were,  the  news  of  the 
departure  of  generals  Taylor,  Twiggs,  and  Quitman,  with  a 
heavy  body  of  troops  from  Monterey  and  Camargo,  towards 
the  southward,  for  Victoria;  and,  also,  dispatches  from  Gen. 
Butler,  left  in  command  of  the  troops  stationed  at  Monterey 
and  Camargo ;  and  others, from  Gen. Taylor  to  Gen. Patterson. 
— (These  were  forwarded  to  Moquite  post  haste.)  — She  further 
brought  reports  of  the  advance  of  Santa  Anna,  with  an  army 
of  twenty-two  thousand  men,  upon  Saltillo,  Monterey,  and  the 
valley  of  the  Rio  Grande  ;  and  also  others,  that  the  Mexican 
scattered  forces,  in  the  upper  section,  emboldened  by  the  de- 
parture of  so  many  troops,  were  collecting  in  force  of  some  two 
thousand,  under  Canales,for  the  attack  of  Matamoras  ;  and, 
finally,  that  a  general  and  vigorous  effort  was  immediately 
about  to  be  made,  by  all  the  Mexican  forces,  for  the  recap- 


EXCITEMENT   AT   MATAMORAS.  277 

ture  of  their  conquered  territory  on  the  Rio  Grande. — (Part 
of  all  this  we  afterward  found  to  be  true,  and  part  only  ru- 
mor.)— This  news  received,  together  with  the  departure  of  so 
many  troops,  had  created  a  great  stir  in  Matamoras. — One  re 
giment  only,  the  3d  Ohio,  had  been  left  there,  (though  others, 
of  the  new  levy,  were  expected  from  the  United  States)  ;  for 
the  third  Indiana,  Colonel  Lane,  had,  a  few  days  before,  gone 
up  to  Camargo. — This  boat,  also,  brought  news  that  this  latter 
regiment,  and  five  hundred  regular  infantry,  from  Camargo, 
had  been  ordered  to  march,  in  haste,  to  Monterey  and  Sal- 
tillo ;  leaving  only  the  second  Ohio  regiment,  Colonel  Mor- 
gan, and  a  part  of  the  Kentucky  regiment  of  cavalry,  at  Ca- 
margo.— These  movements  up  the  river,  confirmed  all  the  re- 
ports, in  the  minds  of  the  inhabitants  of  Matamoras ;  and, 
on  this  day,  loud  complaints  came  from  every  quarter,  about 
so  many  troops  leaving  the  city ;  exposed,  as  they  said,  to 
the  mercy  of  the  enemy. 

Colonel  Curtis  had,  a  few  days  before,  called  on  all  Ameri- 
can citizens,  who  had  come  to  Matamoras,  to  enrol  themselves 
for  duty,  in  case  the  town  should  be  attacked ;  and  they  had 
done  so :  while  more  artillery,  arms  and  ammunition,  were 
brought  up  from  the  Brazos ; — (at  this  latter  place,  on  the 
next  day,  the  24th,  General  Jesup,  quartermaster  general, 
who  had,  a  few  days  before  this,  arrived  from  the  United 
States,  enrolled  every  resident,  sutler,  merchant,  clerk,  team- 
ster, &c.,  &c. — leaving  Matamoras  on  this  day,  on  the  re- 
ception of  this  news,  post  haste,  to  do  it). 

In  the  midst  of  all  this  excitement  and  bustle,  the  sound 
of  the  bugles  rung  through  the  plaza,  and  we  rapidly  fell 
into  lines,  and,  followed  by  the  anxious  gaze  of  the  citizens, 
— who  disliked  to  see  us  leave, — marched  out  of  the  south- 
ern entrance  of  the  city,  on  the  road  towards  Victoria  ;  our 
force  completing  the  division  of  General  Patterson,  of  near 
two  thousand  men. 

The  road  lay  over  an  uninteresting  section,  partly  prairie 
and  partly  close  chapparal. — It  being  late  when  we  left  Ma- 
tamoras, we  did  not  arrive  at  the  camp,  at  Moquite,  until 
after  dark. — We  found  that  General  Patterson,  with  one  re- 
giment of  infantry,  and  the  six  companies  of  our  cavalry 


278  WANT  OF  GOOD  WATER. 

which  were  ahead,  and  the  artillery,  with  part  of  the  wagou 
train,  had  commenced  his  march  that  morning  ;  leaving  the 
other  regiment  of  infantry,  our  four  companies  of  cavalry, 
and  the  remainder  of  the  wagon  train,  to  follow,  under  Gen- 
eral Pillow,  the  next  morning;  separating  the  division  on 
account  of  the  scarcity  of  water  ahead,  for  the  next  three  or 
ibur  days'  march  :  after  which,  they  were  to  be  re-united. — 
There  was  nothing  interesting  in  the  appearance  of  this 
camp,  revealed  to  us  by  the  light  of  the  next  morning. — It 
was  on  the  border  of  a  wide,  shallow  lake,  that  spread  out, 
overgrown  with  rushes. 

December  24th.  This  morning  we  were  roused  by  the  fifes 
and  drums,  in  addition  to  our  long  accustomed  bugles  ; — or- 
dered to  get  our  breakfasts  early,  and  prepare  for  the  march. 
— Our  rations,  and  amounts  of  forage  for  horses,  were  redu- 
ced one-half;  our  cooking  utensils  in  the  same  proportion. 
—The  reason  of  this  was,  the  length  of  the  march  ahead, 
through  a  country  incapable  of  furnishing  supplies  ;  and  those 
transported,  had  to  go  as  far  as  possible. 

We  were  on  the  march  by  seven  o'clock,  three  of  our  com- 
panies proceeding  as  an  advance,  followed  by  the  train,  and 
that  by  the  infantry ;  then  came  the  rear-guard. — The  road 
lay  over  a  dry,  parched  prairie,  lone  and  desolate  ;  making 
the  march  uninteresting  and  tiresome. — At  two,  P.  M.,  after 
proceeding  about  twenty  miles,  we  encamped  on  the  bank 
of  a  dirty  lake.  The  water  was  of  a  greenish  black ;  thick 
with  slime  and  mud. — Our  horses,  although  having  had  none 
all  day,  refused  to  touch  it. — We  strained  it  through  cloth 
and  boiled  it,  to  make  coffee ;  but  it  was  bad,  any  way.-j- 
The  infantry  were  soon  in,  and  somewhat  fatigued  with  the 
march  ;  but  a  rest  of  an  hour  or  two,  brought  them  all  right 
again. — Our  horses'  scanty  feed  we  endeavored  to  partially 
remedy,  by  going  round  the  lake  and  gathering,  from  under 
the  thorny  musquit  bushes,  the  tall  dry  grass  that  grew  up 
into  them,  which  the  herds  of  cattle  and  horses  had  not  been 
able,  on  account  of  the  thorns,  to  get  out. — Many  of  the 
horses  were  found,  this  evening,  with  swelled  and  sore  backs, 
from  the  extra  weight  of  their  four  days'  corn,  which  every 
man  was  obliged  to  take,  in  addition  to  his  own  four  days' 


CHRISTMAS   DAY.  279 

rations. — The  evening  was  bright  moonlight,  anil  spent  by 
all  in  conversation,  around  in  groups. 

Friday,  December  25th —  Christmas  Day.  Well,  reader,  we 
hope  that  you  spent  your  Christmas  more  pleasantly  than  we 
did ;  for  ours  was  rough. — We  left  camp  at  an  early  hour, 
and  continued  to  march  over  a  wide,  sun-burnt,  bare  prairie 
— uninteresting  and  fatiguing. — After  marching  about  ten 
miles,  we  of  the  advance  came  to  a  dirty,  black  lake,  upon 
the  banks  of  which  we  halted  for  the  infantry  and  wagon 
train,  now  far  in  the  rear,  to  come  up. — We  had  drank  but 
little  of  the  nauseous  water  of  that  lake  where  we  had  en- 
camped the  night  before,  hoping  to  arrive  at  some  better  du- 
ring the  day. — At  this  one  we  were  disappointed ;  not  even 
would  our  horses  drink  it. 

We  remained  in  line,  drawn  up,  while  General  Pillow  dis- 
mounted, seated  himself  near  the  bank,  in  front  of  us,  and 
regaled  himself  with  some  viands  that  his  servant  brought 
to  him.  We  knew  not  what  they  were,  but  he  appeared  to 
relish  them  exceedingly,  being  some  time  before  us,  parta- 
king of  them ;  and,  therefore,  we  presumed  that  they  were 
very  fine  :  one  thing  was  certain — it  was  the  general's  Christ- 
mas dinner. — After  he  had  finished  these,  he  raised  a  bottle 
to  his  lips. — (At  this,  many  of  our  disrespectful  men,  not  hav- 
ing the  dignity  of  a  general  before  their  eyes,  winked  at 
one  another  along  the  lines,  and  insinuated,  in  whispers, 
that  it  contained  good  old  brandy.) — The  sight  of  the  din- 
ner and  the  bottle,  on  Christmas  day,  had  a  strong  effect 
on  many  in  the  column,  who,  in  default  of  anything  better, 
pulled  from  their  dingy  haversacks  their  hard  crackers,  now 
soiled  and  black  from  being  carried  on  their  sides  two  days, 
through  the  dust;  and  some,  who  were  lucky  enough  to  have  a 
dirty  piece  of  fat  pork  left,  added  that,  and  ate  the  whole,  their 
Christmas  dinner,  with  a  hearty,  good  relish; — finishing  by  a 
pull  at  their  canteens,  of  the  aforesaid  dirty  water,  that 
they  had  brought  along,  to  drink,  in  case  they  should  get  no 
better.  This  draught  was  taken  with  many  wry  faces,  and 
heaving  of  the  stomach ;  but,  by  strong  efforts,  they  kept  it 
down. — It  was  the  best  dinner  they  could  raise. 

After  finishing  his  meal  and  draught,  the  general  arose,  in- 


280  OUR  CHRISTMAS  DAY   AND   DINNER. 

serted  a  cigar  between  his  lips,  and,  the  infantry  being  near 
mounted  his  splendid  horse,  and  ordered  the  column  forward  • 
and  forward  we  went. — We  looked  onward  to  the  next 
Christmas,  for  our  good  dinner. — The  day  became  excessive- 
ly hot,  but  fortunately  there  was  a  strong  breeze  from  the 
south-east,  that  blew  directly  across  our  route,  taking  off  the 
dense  clouds  of  dust  from  the  dry  prairie,  that  appeared  as 
if  no  rain  had  moistened  its  parched  surface  in  years. — It 
resembled,  in  barrenness,  the  desert ;  although  the  soil,  in  it- 
Belf,  seemed  to  be  good ;  and,  undoubtedly,  the  whole  vast 
extent  in  sight  would  have  been  clothed  in  green,  like  the 
prairies  that  we  passed  in  Texas,  if  it  had  been  rained  upon 
like  those  ;  but  here  are  two  seasons  :  a  short  rainy  one,  and 
a  long  dry  one  ;  and  this  time  was  in  the  latter. — We  con- 
tinued the  march,  finding  no  water  until  about  three  P.  M., 
when  we  arrived  at  a  miserable  collection  of  ranehos,  on 
small,  dry,  barren  knolls.  This  collection  was  called  San- 
ta Teresa,  a  pretty  name,  but  a  poor  place  as  possible  to  be 
found. —  Here  were  tough  times  for  men  and  horses. 

The  ranches  were  on  the  knolls  ; — in  the  little  valley  were 
three  large  holes,  each  about  twenty-five  feet  across  and  six 
or  eight  feet  deep,  dug  out  to  contain  water  ;  and  such  wa- 
ter as  it  was  ! — It  had  a  thick,  green,  slimy  scum  over  it,  and 
in  it  thousands  of  green  frogs  ;  for  it  had  been  in  the  holes 
since  the  last  rainy  season  ;  it  was  very  warm  ; — but  that  was 
not  all :  the  water  itself  was  green  with  slime,  and  would  not 
settle,  nor  could  the  slime  be  separated  from  it  by  straining  , 
the  smell  of  it  was  nauseous,  the  taste  ten  times  worse. — 
Many,  although  suffering,  could  not  bear  it  near  them  ;  oth- 
ers, of  stronger  stomachs,  got  some  down; — with  the  author, 
and  many  others,  it  acted  as  an  instantaneous  emetic. — 
The  horses  drank  a  little  of  it,  and  refused  more. 

The  ranehos  had  raised  corn  during  the  rainy  season,  and 
now  had  it  to  sell,  at  two  rials  a  media  almud,  about  a  gal- 
lon.— Every  one  of  us,  of  the  cavalry,  were  glad  to  get  the 
opportunity  to  buy  it  for  our  horses,*  who  were  on  very  small 

*  A  question  might  here  arise  with  the  reader,  why  was  not  this  corn  taken  for  the 
use  of  the  army,  or  bought  by  the  quarter  master  and  furnished  to  the  cavalry,  in- 
atead  of  obliging  the  men  to  pay  their  own  hard  earned  wages  for  it  ? — This,  the  au- 


WANT   OF   WATER.  281 

allowance,  and  with  no  grass,  not  a  particle  of  which  could 
be  seen  on  the  parched  hills. — Our  fare  in  eatables,  at  night, 
was  equally  scant. — Such,  reader,  was  our  Christmas. 

We  have  spoken  of  the  cavalry  ; — the  time  of  the  infantry 
was  still  harder,  in  having  to  march  twenty-six  miles  with- 
out water. — They  were  very  tired  when  they  arrived,  and 
they  threw  themselves  on  the  ground  to  sleep. — The  wagon 
train  came  in  ;  the  guards  were  set,  and  in  the  bright  moon- 
light we  all  lay  down. 

December  2Qth. — The  drums  beat,  and  the  shrill  fifes  and 
clear  bugles  roused  us  before  day,  to  prepare  for  the  march. 
We  got  some  of  the  green  water,  boiled,  it,  and  made  it 
strong  with  coffee,  and  thus  were  enabled  to  swallow  a  little. 
— The  upper  hole  was  not  quite  so  bad  as  the  others, 
and  our  horses  would  drink  some  more  of  that,  as  well  as 
ourselves.  (Wells  are  not  dug  here  because  all  the  under 
strata  in  this  prairie  land  are  salt). 

— The  lines  were  formed,  and  we  struck  out  on  the  road, 
just  as  the  sun  was  rising  over  the  level  desert  behind  us ; 
before  and  around  was  the  same  level  scene.  The  train 
came  after  us ;  then  came  the  regiment  of  Illinoisans,  and 
then  the  rear  guard  composed  of  one  of  our  companies. 

The  morning  air  was  pleasant,  and  the  sky  cloudless. — 
Not  an  animal,  wild  or  tame,  was  on  the  vast  circumference  ; 
not  the  appearance  of  a  bird  enlivened  it ;: — sunburnt  and 
parched  it  lay. — Once  in  the  distance  of  several  miles,  might 
be  seen  a  sword  palmetto  raising  its  head ;  but  these  were 
few,  far  apart.  After  marching  seventeen  miles,  we  came 
to  a  small  lake  of  black,  muddy  water,  similar  to  that  at 

thor  cannot  answer,  without  it  arose  from  the  policy  adopted  by  the  government,  in 
the  whole  course  of  this  war,  under  the  profession  of  "  protection  to  the  inhabitants ;" 
a  protection  that  was  not  thanked  for  by  them,  and  the  only  effect  of  which  was,  to 
give  to  the  people  of  any  section  great  advantages  by  the  army  passing  through  their 
country ;  advantages  which  they  repaid  to  the  troops  by  murder  and  robbery  of 
our  men,  wherever  opportunity  offered. — To  the  men,  who  had  left  their  homes  to 
serve  their  country,  the  effect  was,  to  deprive  them  of  many  comforts  they  might  have 
had,  and  in  many  cases  to  make  them  suffer  much,  to  benefit  those  rascally  Mexicans 
but  a  little. — All  the  march  to  Victoria,  this  was  the  case  ;  after  this  day,  there  was 
plenty  of  corn  along,  and  the  author  has  seen  men,  often,  spending  their  last  picayune 
to  buy  it  for  their  half-fed  horses. 


282  WANT  OF  WATER. 

which  we  stopped  two  nights  before  ; — the  water  of  this  not 
drinkable,  save  by  straining  it,  which  might  have  been  done, 
for  it  was  not  of  the  green  slimy  kind  of  that  of  St.  Teresa, 
but  was  of  a  thicker,  blacker,  earthy  slime  and  mud,  much 
of  which  might  have  been  taken  from  it. — Here  General  Pat- 
terson encamped  the  night  before  ;  and  we  should  have  done 
so  too,  but  when  the  infantry  and  train  came  up,  the  general 
ordered  us  on. 

This  order  we  gladly  obeyed,  thinking  that  he  had  heard 
of  better  water ;  but,  as  we  afterward  found,  if  he  had,  he 
could  not  find  it ; — there  was  no  more  on  the  road  for  eigh- 
teen miles  further.  When  we  left  this  lake,  our  suffering  in- 
creased, with  the  heat  of  the  sun,  mile  after  mile ;  again 
and  again  did  we  look  for  water,  and  still  we  were  dis- 
appointed. The  general  was  evidently  wrongly  informed, 
and  appeared  to  be  uneasy ; — after  proceeding  about  ten 
miles  from  the  last  lake,  or  twenty-seven  from  the  morning 
start,  and  still  finding  no  water,  he  sent  back  Corporal 
Rhodes,  of  our  company,  with  three  men,  bearing  a  message 
to  the  officer  commanding  the  infantry,  for  them  to  continue 
their  march  until  all  came  up  to  water,  (which  was  about 
eight  miles  from  the  advance,  according  to  the  report  of  some 
Mexican  traders  that  we  met,  with  their  drove  of  pack  mules, 
going  towards  Matamoras) ;  and  also  to  have  those  who 
could  not  keep  up,  under  the  excessive  fatigue,  put  into  the 
wagons  and  hauled  along.  The  corporal  and  men  left,  and 
the  general  remark  was,  along  our  lines,  "  How  can  the  Illi- 
noisans,  on  foot,  stand  it  on  such  a  day?"  We  found, 
the  next  day,  that  they  surely  had  a  tough  time. — Each  man 
was  loaded  with  his  knapsack,  containing  his  blanket  and 
clothing ;  beside  this,  his  musket  and  cartridge-box,  with 
forty  rounds  of  ammunition,  and  then  his  haversack,  with  his 
provisions  for  that  night,  (for  this  was  the  third  day  since 
the  four  days'  rations  had  been  issued),  and  his  canteen ; — 
and,  faint  and  exhausted,  thus  loaded  in  the  hot  sun  and 
dust,  had  to  make  the  march  of  thirty-five  miles. 

They  stood  it  manfully,  however,  hardly  able,  for  the  last 
few  miles,  to  set  one  foot  before  the  other ;  every  one,  with- 
out exception,  officers  and  men,  having  their  feet  severely 


THE  "LONG  DAY'S   MARCH."  283 

blistered  and  raw; — (but  in  these  last  miles,  many,  entirely 
overcome  by  their  load,  fatigue,  and  thirst,  threw  themselves 
down  on  the  ground,  being  unable  to  come  up  with  the  wa- 
gons, and  begged  of  the  rear  guard  of  our  cavalry,  under  one 
of  our  lieutenants,  to  allow  them  to  remain  ;  some  saying 
that  they  had  rather  die  than  go  on ;  that  they  would  come 
up  in  the  cool  of  the  evening ;  that  if  they  only  had  a  swal- 
low of  water,  they  could  go  on  ;  that  they  were  faint,  &c. — 
The  lieutenant  and  his  men  were  compelled,  by  order,  to 
bring  them  on;  coaxed  them,  encouraged  them,  got  off  their 
horses  and  put  them  on,  walking  themselves  ;  and  by  great 
exertion,  and  words  of  encouragement  and  kindness,  they  got 
the  exhausted  men  along,  and  up  to  camp,  after  dark  ; — here 
was  suffering). 

We  continued  to  ride  over  the  parched  prairie,  though 
slowly,  for  our  horses  suffered  from  the  want  of  water. — We 
now  saw,  in  the  west,  the  high,  blue  outline  of  the  distant 
mountains. — Those  mountains  of  Mexico,  which,  filled  with 
the  precious  metals,  had  enriched  the  world. — They  were 
now  before  us,  and  we  gazed  on  their  distant  faint  blue  tops, 
but  thought  not  of  the  riches  there ; — but  they  appeared  to 
look  down  upon  us,  and  offer  us  pure  streams  of  water, 
which,  at  that  time,  seemed  of  more  importance  and  value, 
than  their  riches. — Every  eye  in  our  ranks  was  fixed  upon 
them; — for  a  long  distance  had  we  marched  since  seeing 
mountains. — A  little  before  sunset  we  struck  the  hills,  and 
ascended  the  long  slope  of  the  first. 

It  had  on  its  surface  many  pebbles  and  round  stones  ; — 
the  first  that  we  had  seen  for  six  hundred  miles. — On  rising 
the  long,  high  hill,  we  looked  back,  on  the  desert  prairie  be- 
hind, which,  there  in  the  vast  distance  spread  out,  brown  and 
parched,  reminded  us  of  the  description  of  the  Sahara; — a 
narrow  and  long  serpentine  column  of  dust,  from  near  the 
horizon  to  the  base  of  the  hill,  shovxed  the  weary  troops  and 
tired  wagon  train,  slowly  coming. 

Here,  on  the  hills,  we  struck  again  ihe  chapparal ;- — 
on  the  second  ridge  we  found  a  rancho. — The  change  was 
remarkable. — In  a  valley  near,  was  growing  a  large  field  of 
corn ;  the  trees  were  green,  and  every  thing  looked,  up  there 


284  CONTENTION  FOR  WATER  AT  NIGHT. 

in  the  hills, like  life. — Here,  too,  was  a  well ; — but  as  its  sup- 
ply of  water  was  scant,  the  general  forbade  a  drop  of  it  being 
used  by  the  cavalry,  and  ordered  us  on  to  another  well, 
which  the  rancheros  informed  him,  was  seven  miles  dis- 
tant.— This  was  right ;  for  the  thirsting  infantry  needed  this 
water  more  than  we  did. 

(When  these  came  up,  a  guard  was  set  over  the  well,  and 
every  man  received  from  the  hands  of  the  officer  attending, 
one  pint  of  water,  measured  out  to  him. — The  well  did  not 
hold  out  at  that,  and  the  last  companies  received  but  a 
little  over  half  a  pint  each,  after  their  excessive  fatigue; — 
as  for  supper,  they  needed  none ;  for  they  threw  themselves 
down  on  the  ground,  anywhere,  and  overpowered,  were  soon 
asleep.) 

We,  of  the  cavalry,  arrived  at  the  next  well  at  dusk; — 
having  made  our  march  of  forty-two  miles. — We  immediate- 
ly rushed  there  for  water. — From  dark  until  late  at  night, 
there  was  a  continual  crowd  and  quarrel  for  water,  by  the 
men ; — and  the  horses  bit  and  kicked  one  another,  in  their 
efforts  to  get  their  heads  into  the  narrow  trough. — The  well 
was  about  fifteen  feet  deep,  plenty  of  water  in  it,  though 
there  was  but  one  small  bucket  to  raise  it.  The  men  push- 
ed away  one  another  in  their  eagerness  to  get  their  tin  cups 
into  it. 

The  water  was  pretty  good,  but  there  was  no  danger  of  any 
one  hurting  himself  in  drinking  too  much ;  for  in  the  rush,  it 
required  an  hour,  or  more,  before  one  could  get  enough. — The 
wagons  of  the  companies  came  up  late  at  night,  unexpect- 
edly ;  and  thus  we  were  enabled  to  get  our  suppers,  and 
procure  a  little  corn  for  our  horses.  The  grass  in  these  hills, 
although  green,  compared  to  the  desert  prairie,  had  been  eaten 
off  short,  so  that  there  was  none  for  them. — We  found  that 
we  were  within  about  three  miles  of  General  Patterson's 
camp,  at  San  Fernando,  and  that  we  had  made  two  day's 
march  in  one. — The  town  had  been  surrendered  to  him, 
during  the  day,  by  a  deputation,  consisting  of  the  alcaldes 
and  principal  citizens,  who  met  him  near  this  place,  where 
we  were  now  encamped. — We  found,  also,  that  the  last 
night,  the  Mexican  leader,  Canales,  with  three  hundred 


THE  VALLEY  OF  SAN  FERNANDO.  285 

and  odd  horsemen,  had  encamped  at  this  same  place,  and 
were  now  in  the  neighborhood. — On  this  news,  every  man 
of  us  was  ordered  to  look  to  his  arms,  and  sleep  with  them 
near  him,  which  was  done. — Being  much  fatigued,  we  did 
not  pitch  our  tents,  but  lay  down  anywhere  around,  and 
were  soon  fast  asleep. 

December  27th.  This  was  a  fine  morning :  the  rising  sun 
shone  over  the  hills  and  valleys,  and  illuminated  the  moun- 
tains in  the  west. — The  view  was  so  different  from  that  of 
level  scenery,  which  had  so  long  surrounded  us,  that  all  were 
pleased,  in  gazing  upon  it. — We  started  late. — The  infantry 
made  their  appearance,  coming  over  the  hill-tops ; — they 
walked  stiff  and  crippled  :  the  feet  of  all  were  very  sore. — 
Soon  the  white  tops  of  the  wagon  train  appeared  in  the  same 
direction ;  and,  to  the  cheering  sound  of  the  bugles,  we  then 
moved  onward,  over  rocky  hills  and  deep  valleys. — We  pass- 
ed a  large  quarry  of  the  white  stone,  described  at  Goliad ;  and 
shortly  came  to  the  brow  of  the  hill  overlooking  the  deeper 
valley  in  which  was  the  town  of  San  Fernando;  and  near  it 
was  the  camp  of  General  Patterson. — The  river,  of  the  same 
name  as  the  town,  ran  along  the  opposite  side  of  the  valley, 
which,  there,  was  shut  in  by  high,  precipitous  hills. — Obtain- 
ing permission  from  the  captain,  the  author  here  left  the 
lines,  and  remained  awhile  on  the  brow  of  the  hill,  to  observe 
the  magnificence  of  the  wild  and  rugged  scenery,  on  either 
side,  and  in  front ;  and  the  picturesque  beauty  of  the  embo- 
somed valley  below. — The  distant  glimpses  of  the  river,  on 
the  left  of  the  front  view,  were  caught  only  as  it  emerged 
from  between  high  bluff  banks,  to  enter  others  again. — 
The  vision,  in  following  it,  rested  upon  the  lines  of  tents  of 
General  Patterson's  camp,  and  the  volumes  of  thin  smoke  ri- 
sing from  that. — Immediately  in  front,  at  the  base  of  the  high 
hill,  down  which  the  column  of  troops  were  winding,  was 
the  compact  town,  built  entirely  of  this  white  stone,  with 
many  deep  green  trees  of  orange,  and  other  kinds,  showing 
a  pleasing  contrast  against  the  massive  walls  of  the  stone 
buildings. — The  church  towers  were  elevated  above  the  rest. 
— The  style  of  building — its  closeness,  neatness,  and  simi- 
larity, throughout  its  extent — gave  to  it  an  appearance,  from 


286  SAN  FERNANDO  CEMETERY. 

above,  different  from  that  of  a  city  of  our  manner  of  con- 
struction ;  and  it  was  more  beautiful. 

At  the  foot  of  the  hill,  below,  between  that  and  the  town, 
was  the  cemetery,  walled  in  with  stone. — This  was  the  next 
object. — We  found  it  a  fine  structure,  square,  and  with  a 
lofty  arched  gateway. — Many  stone  crosses,  on  heavy  pedes- 
tals, were  on  the  walls,  at  regular  intervals.  On  the  inte- 
rior, under  each  of  these  crosses,  was  a  niche,  or  space  in 
the  wall ; — all  of  these  were  filled  with  human  skulls,  piled 
one  on  the  other,  the  eye-sockets  outwards.  Wherever  you 
looked  around,  these  met  your  eye,  and  presented  not  a  plea- 
sant appearance. — In  the  two  extreme  corners,  were  large 
piles  of  leg,  arm,  and  rib  bones. — The  space  inside  the  walls 
was  filled  with  graves  and  sculptured  tombs  ;  some  of  these 
surmounted  by  light,  lofty  stone  arches,  and  adorned  with 
chiseled  flowers  and  figures  of  saints,  &c.  The  whole  struc- 
ture was  neat,  ornamental,  and  costly. 

We  proceeded  on  to  camp,  where  the  whole  of  General 
Pillow's  command  were  already  encamping,  along  by  the 
side  of  General  Patterson's.  The  area  covered  by  the 
troops,  and  heavy  train  of  five  hundred  wagons,  was 
large ;  and  a  person  became  tired  of  walking  over  it. — 
Many  of  us  immediately  repaired  to  the  river  beyond  the 
encampment,  to  get  water  for  ourselves  and  horses,  and  to 
bathe.  The  stream  was  about  forty  yards  wide,  in  a  deep 
ravine,  with  banks,  in  most  places,  rising  from  one  hundred 
to  a  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  perpendicular  height. — The  town 
is  built  on  the  highest  part  of  the  bluff,  adjoining  the  plain 
or  valley. — The  river,  at  this  place,  where  accessible,  was 
filled  with  men  and  horses. — The  current  was  remarkably 
swift,  and  rushed  over  the  rocks  with  a  ceaseless  noise. — 
We  afterward  proceeded  from  the  river, up  along  the  bank,  into 
the  town,  thinking  to  observe  a  crowded  population ;  but 
a  more  lonesome  looking  place  was  not  to  be  found. — The 
streets  were  entirely  deserted,  and  the  houses  shut  up — every 
door  and  window  closed ;  not  a  store  open  ;  nor  a  man,  wo- 
man, or  child,  in  the  streets. — One  would  have  thought  them 
all  dead,  but  for  the  confused  sound  of  voices,  that  came  over 
the  high  stone  walls  of  the  court-yards. — Throughout  the  city 


HYPOCRISY  OF  ALCALDE.  287 

it  was  the  same,  for  the  whole  day. — The  inhabitants  were 
filled  with  the  utmost  terror  of  the  "  Americanos"  and  kept 
themselves  within  doors. — In  a  long  walk  through  many 
streets,  and  crossing  the  squares,  we  saw  not  an  open  door, 
save  one,  on  the  corner  of  the  plaza ;  and  into  that,  imme- 
diately, a  half  dozen  of  us  entered,  and  found  ourselves  in 
the  court  room  of  the  second  alcalde  of  the  town. — He  was 
within  :  was  a  man  of  light  complexion,  and  quite  genteel 
appearance  ;  was  seated  at  his  large  table,  with  his  escribi- 
ente,  alguacil,  and  other  attendants,  around ; — all  of  whom 
were  excessively  delighted  to  see  us — the  hypocritical  scoun- 
drels ! 

One  of  us,  Hill,  who  had  lived  in  Mexico  for  some  years, 
and  understood  their  language  well,  interpreted  his  conversa- 
tion to  the  rest  of  us.  The  alcalde  said  that  the  Americans 
were  a  free  people ;  that  they  were  noble  and  powerful,  and 
that  he  loved  every  American  like  a  brother ;  and  he  finished 
by  throwing  his  arms  around  our  necks,  and  embracing  us ;  in 
which  worthy  demonstrations  of  friendship  he  was  seconded 
by  the  escribiente,  who,  throwing  down  his  pen,  came  for- 
ward, saying,  " Americanos,  mucJio  bueno"  (Americans,  very 
good) ;  and  he,  too,  fell  to  embracing  us,  and  squeezing  our 
hands  ;  while  the  worthy  alguacil,  or  constable,  followed,  as 
well  as  another  Mexican  citizen  who  was  in  there,  the  ex- 
ample of  his  superiors,  with  much  jabbered  Spanish  about 
Americanos.  One  would  have  been  reminded  of  the  greeting 
of  n-jw  converts  at  the  altar  of  a  camp-meeting,  by  their 
expressions  of  joy,  &c. — But  this  was  all  assumed  ; — these 
very  men  would  have  cut  our  throats  gladly,  had  they  pos- 
sessed the  power. — However,  the  author,  from  them,  through 
the  interpreter,  in  answer  to  his  inquiries,  obtained  much  in- 
formation with  regard  to  the  town,  the  country,  health,  man- 
ners, customs,  &c.,  and  regretted  not  the  hours  he  spent 
there. 

Towards  sunset  we  left  the  town,  only  stopping  to  admire 
the  splendid  brick  mansion  of  Don  Garcia  Flores,  with  its 
extensive  court  yards,  fine  interior,  spacious,  beautiful  rooms, 
and  large  collections  of  the  finest  flowers  and  scented  shrubs, 


288  CROSSING  OF  THE  SAN  FERNANDO. 

&c.;  after  admiring  which,  we  passed  on  to  camp,  and  hav- 
ing nothing  else  to  do,  lay  down  and  slept  well. 

December  28th.  This  morning  our  regiment  was  divided ; 
seven  companies  were  sent  across  the  river,  and  ordered  to 
proceed  to  the t next  river,  twenty-five  miles,  and  work  upon 
the  banks  of  tiat,  so  that  it  could  be  passed  by  the  train. 
— One  other  Company,  the  "Giles  Troopers,"  under  Cap- 
tain Haynes,  was  sent,  by  General  Patterson,  back  to  Mat- 
amoras,  with  orders  to  bring  on  another  train  of  wagons 
to  Victoria ;  a  severe  service,  which  they  immediately  set 
about.— They  had  some  difficulty  with  the  principal  alcalde 
of  the  town,  about  furnishing  a  number  of  pack  mules  for 
the  detachment,  and  had  to  force  him  to  do  it  by  confin- 
ing him;  when  he  soon  had  them  brought  up. — After  these 
were  procured,  the  company  started  back.  (We  saw  no 
more  of  them  until  they  came  up  to  Victoria,  twelve  days 
after  our  arrival  there  ;  and  the  incidents  of  their  march,  in 
the  meantime,  will  hereafter  be  related).  The  other  two 
companies  of  us  remained  encamped. 

One  regiment  of  the  Illinoisans  crossed  the  river,  the  wa- 
ter taking  each  man  about  the  middle  ; — they  encamped  on 
the  high  plain  opposite.  The  long  wagon  train  then  fol- 
lowed ; — the  passage  of  this  occupied  the  time  until  three,  P. 
M.; — then  followed  the  artillery,  of  which  there  were  but 
two  pieces ;  then  the  other  regiment  of  infantry ;  and  just 
at  night  our  two  companies  saddled  up,  struck  our  tents,  and 
brought  up  the  rear. — As  we  did  not  have  to  move  until  so 
late,  we  had  the  day  to  ourselves,  and  three  of  us  went  into 
town ;  where  the  frightened  inhabitants  were  beginning  to 
creep  out,  finding  they  were  not  molested. 

We  again  called  on  our  acquaintance,  the  alcalde.  We 
found  that  he  had  with  him  part  of  the  authorities  of  the 
town. — We  were  not  going  to  disturb  them ;  but  they  in- 
sisted, with  many  smiles  and  bows,  that  we  should  come  in, 
and  after  a  little  conversation  in  broken  Spanish,  helped  out 
by  many  signs,  we  stopped  and  looked  on.  Hill,  with  an- 
other, came  passing  by,  and  seeing  us,  entered,  and  was 
received  by  the  Mexicans,  who  were  seated  at  the  large 
table,  with  the  same  tokens  of  pleasure,  (all  hypocritical). — 


MEETING   OF   ALCALDES. 

They  insisted  on  his  taking  a  seat,  and  with  many  gestures 
informed  him  what  they  were  about. 

In  the  meantime,  five  more  Mexicans  came  in,  all  finely 
dressed  in  their  own  style,  with  splendid  scrapes.  These 
were  most  attentive  to  us,  and  carried  on  a  'ong  conversa- 
tion with  Hill,  and  told  him  the  objects  o'f  their  meeting,  (no 
doubt  thinking  we  had  been  sent  up  to  watch  them).  There 
were  the  four  alcaldes,  or  magistrates  of  the  town  ; — these 
all  sat  together  behind  the  table ; — in  front  of  this,  around, 
were  the  members  of  the  ayuntamiento,  or  common  council, 
the  president  of  which  was  the  best  looking  Mexican  we  had 
seen. 

There  were  not  all  of  the  members  of  the  ayuntamiento 
present,  four,  as  they  told  Hill,  having  left  the  town,  with 
many  of  the  other  citizens,  on  the  approach  of  the  army.- — 
They  said  that  this  was  an  informal  meeting,  to  consider  to- 
gether upon  some  business  arising  from  General  Patterson's 
requisition  upon  them  that  morning,  for  pack  mules,  &c.,  (for 
the  use  of  Haynes'  detachment).  We  asked  them,  through 
Hill,  to  go  on  with  their  business,  which  they  did  in  an  or- 
derly way ;  though  sometimes  they  appeared  to  be  excited, 
especially  the  first  alcalde,  who  had,  in  the  morning,  been 
placed  in  "  durance  vile."  The  four  alcaldes  all  had  their  gold 
headed  canes,  and  each  of  them  had  a  dignified  appearance. 
— (As  these  officers  of  justice,  found  in  every  town  in  Mex- 
ico, will  hereafter  be  mentioned  in  this  work,  we  will  give 
a  short  description  of  their  office,  powers,  &c.) 

There  are  in  every  town  of  any  size,  four  of  them ;  in 
every  village  one  at  least. — They  are  elected  by  the  people, 
and  serve  for  one  year. — Their  office  resembles  much  that  of 
our  justice  of  the  peace,  but  they  have  more  power. — They 
have  jurisdiction  of  all  cases  of  misdemeanor,  smaller  crimes 
of  every  description,  and  all  debts  under  one  hundred  dollars 
— in  these  their  decision  is  final,  and  from  it  there  is  no  ap- 
peal.— They  are  attended,  each  by  an  alguacil,  an  officer  like 
a  constable. — He  arrests  every  one  ordered  by  the  alcalde, 
and  brings  him  before  him. — He  carries  a  written  process, 
commanding  the  person  to  appear  before  the  alcalde,  im- 
mediately, or  at  such  an  hour. —  If  the  person  refuses  to 
19 


290  METHOD  OF  JUSTICE  BEFORE  ALCALDES. 

obey  the  alguacil,  the  alcalde  sends  his  tasseled  cane,  or 
boston  de  justicia,  by  the  alguacil;  then  the  person  must  come, 
or  be  imprisoned,  or  fined,  for  contempt  of  his  authority. — 
The  alcaldes  can  keep  a  man  for  an  indefinite  time  in  prison, 
save  upon  command  of  the  prefect,  another  officer,  who  is 
above  them.— The  alcalde,  in  common  cases,  commits  nothing 
to  writing,  and  justice  is  summarily  dispensed  (in  most  cases 
in  his  favor,  who  pays  him  a  sum  of  money,  or  sends  him  a 
polite  note,  offering  to  lend  him  a  sum). 

Larger  cases  of  debt  than  one  hundred  dollars,  or  cases  of 
murder,  robbery,  &c.,  when  committed  by  the  rich,  are  very 
seldom  troubled  much  ;  for  the  proceedings  before  the  alcalde 
are  costly,  and  besides  that,  never  end. — But  the  way  in  which 
they  are  carried  on,  we  will  cite  by  an  instance.  Don  A. 
owes  Don  B.  on  a  certain  transaction  five  hundred  dollars, 
— will  not  pay  it. — Don  B.  applies  to  the  alcalde,  who  cites 
both  parties,  with  their  kombre  buenos  (just  men),  or  arbitrators, 
to  appear  before  him  on  such  a  day. — All  appear.  Don  B. 
states  his  case ;  this  is  all  written  down  in  a  blank-book  ;  his 
witnesses  are  examined,  and  their  testimony  is  all  written 
down  with  the  statement. — Don  A.  is  then,  with  his  wit- 
nesses, called  upon :  their  adverse  statement  is  all  written 
down,  word  for  word,  as  it  is  given. — The  alcalde  and  hombre 
buenos  then  decide  the  case  against  Don  A. ;  but  he  raises  an 
objection  to  it,  and  is  entitled  to  a  hearing  before  a  higher  au- 
thority.— The  whole  is  then  sealed  up,  and  sent  to  the  Ascsor 
General,  an  officer  somewhat  like  a  chief  justice,  at  the  seat 
of  government  of  the  state,  and  the  plaintiff  has  to  pay  the 
cost. — The  ascsor  general  gets  it,  and  after  a  while  (some- 
times a  month,  sometimes  twelve,  and  sometimes  never), 
writes  back  to  the  alcalde  to  give  judgment  for  Don  B.  (that 
is,  if  he  took  care  to  send  to  that  personage  a  larger  fee  than 
did  the  other,  but  if  he  did  not,  then  for  Don  A.) — However, 
the  alcalde  may  receive,  in  the  course  of  twelve  months,  an 
order  from  the  ascsor  general  to  decide  the  case  in  favor  of 
one  or  the  other. — That  is,  if  there  occur  no  revolution, 
or  change  in  government; — but  if  there  do,  the  asesor gene- 
ral is  displaced,  and  another  put  in,  and  the  complainant 
may  rest  assured  that  he  will  never  touch  the  papers  of 


METHOD   OF  JUSTICE   BEFORE  ALCALDES.  291 

his  predecessor,  without  another  fee. — When  this  order  is 
received,  the  alcalde  cites  the  parties  before  him,  and  informs 
them  of  the  decision. — The  unsuccessful  one  immediately 
raises  an  objection,  under  color  of  law,  whether  having 
the  slightest  reason  or  not; — the  objection  is  written  down, 
and  the  whole  is  sent  off  by  post  again ;  the  complainant 
again  paying  up,  to  the  asesor  general,  who  reconsiders  it, 
and  pocketing  the  fees  from  both  parties,  sends  back  another 
direction,  either  confirming  the  first  or  annulling  it,  accord- 
ing to  the  strong  reasoning  before  mentioned ; — each  one  of 
these  documents  now  adds  to  the  papers ;  these  must  all  be 
sent  back  and  forth  each  time,  and  they  increase  the  postage 
(for  by  law,  they  must  be  sent  by  the  post). — The  same  case 
if  other  objections  are  raised  by  the  losing  party;  are  writ- 
ten down,  and  again  sent  back ; — and  a  case  will  not  be 
decided,  sometimes  for  twenty  years ;  in  fact,  if  the  parties 
continued  to  fee  the  asesor  general,  never ;  and  he  who  stops 
those  fees  first,  loses  his  suit. 

Under  one  hundred  dollars,  the  case  depends  with  the  al- 
calde alone ;  and  debts  are  rarely  contracted  above  that 
amount. — The  common  way*  with  these  small  ones,  is  that 
each  party  selects  his  hombre  bueno,  and  the  alcalde  acts  as  the 
third,  and  the  case  is  thus  decided  ;  and  payment,  then,  must 
be  on  the  spot,  or  the  losing  party  must  go  to  prison. — This 
last  is  the  fairest  way  of  trial  among  them. 

Now,  having  given  this  sketch  of  the  alcaldes,  let  us  see 
about  their  minor  officers.  The  "cscribicntes"  or  secretaries, 
are  hired,  and  paid  out  of  the  fines  accruing  to  the  office ; 
and  if  these  are  a  little  behindhand,  the  alcalde  does  not 
hesitate  to  have  men  brought  up,  and  fine  them  for  an  al- 
leged offence  ;  thinking,  no  doubt,  that  the  payment  of  the 
escribiente  is  for  the  public  good. — The  alguacil,  or  constable, 
is  one  of  the  inhabitants  ;  who  all  have  to  serve  in  this  of- 
fice one  week  each,  in  turn.  They  get  nothing  at  all  for  it, 
"  and  find  themselves." — If  there  are  any  Mexican  soldiers 
in  a  town,  they  guard  the  prison  ;  if  not,  the  inhabitants  have 
to  take  turns  at  this,  too. 

These  four  alcaldes,  spoken  of,  who  sat  here,  all  pos- 
sessed these  powers,  and,  moreover,  a  general  power  of 


292  MEXICAN  OFFICERS  OF  JUSTICE. 

police,  over  their  actions  ;  acting  as  coroners,  &c. — The  rest 
of  the  assembly  were  of  the  ayuntomiento.  A  few  words 
about  this.  There  are,  commonly,  twelve  of  this  body;  they 
are  elected  by  the  people,  at  the  same  time  of  the  election 
of  the  alcaldes — commonly  in  December — and  serve  one 
year.  They  attend  to  the  town  property,  the  aqueducts,  the 
squares,  and  streets ;  the  revenues,  taxes,  appropriations,  &c. ; 
and  have  exclusive  supervision  over  the  prison.  They  are 
compelled,  on  requisition  oftheprefecto,  to  raise  soldiers  for  the 
government  (done  by  forcible  impressment,  from  the  poorer 
class). — It  is  considered  quite  an  honor,  in  these  towns, 
to  belong  to  this  body. — One  more  officer  is  commonly  pla- 
ced in  each  town  or  district,  but,  at  this  time,  there  was  none 
in  San  Fernando.  This  is  the  prefecto. — A  principal  one  re- 
sides in  the  capital  of  the  state ;  other  sub-prefects  in  every 
town  and  district. — It  is  this  officer's  duty  to  command  the 
troops  in  that  district  or  town ;  to  make  requisitions  on  the 
ayuntamiento  for  more,  when  he  is  required  so  to  do  by  the 
governor;  to  receive  prisoners  passing  through  the  country  ; 
to  obtain  for  foreigners  their  "cartas  de  seguiridad"  or  let- 
ters of  protection,  and  also  furnish  them  passports  for  trav- 
eling ;  and,  finally,  to  overlook  the  alcaldes  in  their  adminis- 
tration of  justice. — The  principal  prefect,  at  the  seat  of  gov- 
ernment, has  the  same  to  do,  on  a  larger  scale. — Beside  these, 
we  might  as  well  mention  the  governor  of  the  state  ;  for  he 
is  the  only  remaining  officer  of  note  :  they  are  the  military 
commanders  of  the  state ;  responsible  to  no  one  but  the  pre- 
sident of  the  republic. — They  are  all  appointed  by  the  differ- 
ent presidents,  that  rise  and  fall,  and  rise  again,  in  this  coun- 
try;— their  duration  of  office  is,  therefore,  just  as  uncertain*, 
but  always  short.  * 

We  intended  to  have  run  no  farther  in  this  description, 
than  to  include  these  of  the  kind  that  were  assembled  here 
at  San  Fernando,  this  evening ;  but  as  the  others,  like  these, 
are  universally  the  same  throughout  Mexic£,  the  time  of  the 
reader  will  not  be  lost,  in  learning  something  else  about  them, 
save  then  names. 

Now  let  us  return  to  the  group  that  we  left. — They  finish- 
ed their  consultations  in  an  hour  or  two, — in  which,  no  doubt, 


MANNER  OF   RIDING   "DOUBLE."  293 

they  considered  it  best  to  obey  any  requisition  of  the  general 
upon  them, — when  they  scattered ;  and  we  returned  to  camp, 
and  saddling  up,  crossed  the  river,  encamped  with  the  rest 
of  the  army,  collected  a  lot  of  musquit  brush,  and  went  to 
cooking  our  suppers ;  after  taking  which,  we  stretched  our- 
selves out  under  the  musquit  bushes,  and  enjoyed  the  scene 
of  the  busy  camp — the  crowds  pouring  along  the  road,  back 
and  forth,  &c. 

We  heard  a  loud  laugh  from  scores  up  the  road,  and  look- 
ing for  the  cause,  saw  several  Mexicans  coming  through  on 
horseback.  On  one  mule  was  a  light-complexioned,  pretty, 
round  faced  Mexican  girl,  of  perhaps  sixteen  years  old,  with 
an  enormous  sombrero  on,  like  a  man,  sitting  on  her  steed 
straddle,  one  foot  in  each  stirrup,  while  her  hands  hung  un- 
employed, and  displayed  several  pretty  rings. — Her  dress  did 
not  seem  to  suit  her  manner  of  riding  much ;  certainly  did 
not  come  as  low  as  pantaloons  would  have  done. — Riding 
behind  her,  was  a  lank-jawed  young  man,  of  about  twenty 
years  old,  holding  himself  on  with  one  arm  round  her  \vaist, 
with  the  bridle-reins  in  that  hand,  while  the  other  was  em- 
ployed with  the  whip. — Making  it  appear  more  singular  to 
our  boys,  he  was  seated  behind  the  saddle,  with  both  his  feet 
on  the  left  side,  just  as  our  ladies  ride  behind  their  husbands 
or  brothers. — Here,  from  our  manner,  both  the  parties  were 
reversed  in  position,  as  well  as  in  manner  of  sitting.* — This 
was  enough  for  the  men,  who  broke  out  in  peals  of  laughter, 
as  they  came  along,  much  to  the  confusion  of  the  girl  and 
her  partner,  who  did  not  know  what  to  make  of  it ;  this  way 
of  riding  being  common  enough  with  them. 

The  evening  passed  away  agreeably,  and  all  lay  down  to 
sleep,  after  paying  good  attention  to  our  horses,  which  here 
got  some  grass. 

December  29th.  We  were  roused  by  the  reveille ;  the  racket 
of  the  drums  and  fifes  of  both  regiments  of  infantry,  and  our 
bugles  helping  out  the  concert,  so  that  it  was  impossible  to 
think  of  a  moment's  sleep  after  they  had  commenced.  Fires 

*  In  Mexico,  the  general  way  of  riding  double,  is,  that  the  female  rides  in  the  sad- 
dle, but  on  one  side ;  and  the  man  behind  her,  with  one  foot  on  either  side. — Often, 
however,  the  woman  rides  as  we  saw  this  one. 


294  ROUGH   HILLS. 

in  numbers,  were  soon  seen  over  all  the  encampment,  and 
shortly  afterwards,  the  tents  were  down,  wagons  loaded,  and 
before  sunrise  we  were  on  the  march,  our  company  being  the 
advance  guard. — Passing  over  a  small  plain,  we  commenced 
the  ascent  of  long,  high,  rocky  hills,  covered  with  a  growth 
»f  thinly-scattered  musquit  bushes,  and  some  grass  between 
die  rocks ;  the  scenery  was  of  the  boldest  character,  steep 
hills,  very  deep,  rocky  valleys,  black,  mountainous  eleva- 
tions on  the  horizon  all  around,  highest  in  front. — Here 
and  there,  far  down  in  the  valleys,  were  fertile  tracts  of 
land,  with  ranches  on  them,  surrounded  with  many  orange 
trees  of  deep  green ;  and  vegetation  down  there,  from  its 
lively  color,  contrasted  strongly  with  the  huge,  rocky,  bar- 
ren hills,  that  were  thrown,  as  it  were,  promiscuously 
around,  having  nothing  on  their  broad  sides,  save  the  scat- 
tered musquit,  with  here  and  there  tall  sword  palmettos, 
rearing  their  round  heads,  visible  far. — On  the  opposite 
spur,  or  mountain,  in  the  early  part  of  the  day,  were  a 
body  of  Mexican  horsemen,  partially  concealed  by  the  mus- 
quit.— They  were  a  long  distance  off,  and  could  not  be 
caught ;  for  they  could  see  us,  if  we  started  after  them,  and 
before  we  could  have  reached  the  edge  of  the  valley  plain, 
far  below  us,  they  would  have  been  gone,  leaving,  on  the 
rocks  and  through  the  defiles,  no  trace  behind. — They  were 
gratified  with  a  splendid  view  of  our  long,  extended  lines, 
and  wagon  train,  slowly  winding  up  the  hill*— When  we 
halted,  to  repair  the  road  for  the  train  behind,  we  could 
see,  in  the  rear,  over  all  the  hills  that  we  had  passed.— 
They  were  below  us  now,  and  the  desert  section  in  the 
rear,  again  came  in  view  beyond  them. — The  descent  of 
all  these  hills  had  been  extremely  difficult. — The  day's  march 
throughout,  was  up  and  down  these  "young  mountains," 
as  some  of  the  men  called  them,  but  was  not  near  so 
fatiguing  to  us,  nor  did  it  appear  so  to  the  infantry,  as 
the  dead  level  of  the  parched  prairie. — Those  of  that  regi- 
ment that  with  us,  two  days  before,  had  such  a  hard  time, 
seemed  entirely  recovered  from  their  lameness  and  fatigue, 
and  jogged  along,  with  their  muskets  and  heavy  knap- 
sacks, joking  and  laughing. — We  noticed  that  many  of 


#.          CACTUS  GIGANTEA.  295 

them,  yesterday  spent  much  time  in  bathing  their  feet 
in  the  San  Fernando  river,  and  now  they  appeared  all 
right  again. — There  was  no  water  on  the  route  to-day,  but 
every  man  had  brought  his  canteen  full  from  the  river,  and 
no  inconvenience  was  experienced  on  that  account. — At  five 
P.  M.,  we  arrived  at  a  rapid  creek,  or  small  river,  with 
high,  steep  banks. — Here  we  found  our  other  seven  compa- 
nies, and  now  we  were  all  together  again,  save  Captain 
Haynes'  company,  which,  as  said  before,  had  gone  back  to 
Matamoras. — We  crossed  the  river,  and  encamped  on  the 
high  bank  opposite,  upon  the  ascent  of  which  the  compa- 
nies mentioned  had  done  much  work. — The  wagon  train 
drew  up  in  the  rocky,  dry  islands  of  the  river  below,  while 
some  of  the  infantry  encamped  on  either  side  of  the  stream ; 
— the  bank  on  which  we  were,  was  a  hundred  and  fifty  feet, 
perhaps  more,  above  the  bed  of  the  river. 

Some  of  us  spent  an  hour  or  two,  seated  on  the  bluff,  look- 
ing down  into  the  busy  train,  where  the  commissaries  were 
engaged  in  giving  out  the  rations  to  the  crowds  in  attend- 
ance, and  the  forage  masters,  also,  in  handing  out  the  sacks 
of  corn  to  the  cavalry  companies. — Growing  on  this  bank 
was  much  of  the  cactus  gigantea,  (see  plate,  page  357),  and 
much  of  the  wild  maguey  plant ;  (see  plate*  page  378).  This 
species  of  cactus  grows  in  fluted  columns,  straight,  with  the 
ridges  covered  with  bunches  of  thorns,  which  are  large,  strong 
and  sharp^  The  columns  are  of  a  similar  consistence  and 
color  to  the  prickly  pear,  but  the  old  ones  have  a  woody  core. 
— They  grow  from  twelve  to  eighteen  feet  high,  each  one  from 
five  to  seven  inches  thick. — The  men  cut  down  many  with 
their  sabres,  which,  from  their  peculiar  consistence,  could  be 
done  with  a  single  blow.  One  man,  however,  was  severely 
hurt  by  a  large  and  heavy  one,  that,  as  he  cut  it,  fell  over 
upon  him,  driving  fifty  or  more  of  the  strong  thorns  through 
his  clothing  into  his  shoulder  and  arm,  where  each  remained 
fixed  firmly,  and  were  difficult  to  pull  out. 

We  came  now  to  several  more  species  of  this  cactus,  all 
with  needle-like  thorns ; — one  kind  was  three-cornered,  and 

*  That  plate  represents  the  cultivated  maguey. — This  that  grows  wild  upon  th» 
mountain  fide  is  of  the  same  appearance,  but  only  about  half  as  large. 


296  DIFFERENT  SPECIES   OF  CACTUS. 

grew  tall ;  another  grew  like  large  turnips  out  of  the  ground, 
and  these  were  dangerous  even  for  a  horse  to  step  on  ;  an- 
other, smaller,  grew  like  a  potato,  and  was  covered  on  the 
outside  by  a  net  work,  if  we  may  so  express  it,  of  slender, 
delicate  thorns  ,  and  there  were  numbers  of  other  varieties. 
But  the  kind  most  troublesome  to  us,  was  a  species  that 
grew  like  a  bush,  about  three  feet  high  ;  so  little,  at  first 
sight,  did  it  resemble  anything  of  the  cactus  kind,  that  many 
of  us  got  into  it  to  our  sorrow ; — its  small  stems  were  nu- 
merous and  crooked ;  these  covered  with  millions  of  little 
thorns,  each  one  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  length, 
and  finer  than  a  hair; — sharp,  barbed,  strong  ; — easily  enter- 
ing, and  hard  to  get  out. — These  little  thorns  covered  the 
stems,  and,  on  the  slightest  touch  with  the  person,  remained 
in  the  flesh.  Beside  the  little  fellows,  the  same  plant  bore 
at  intervals  on  its  stalk,  hundreds  of  larger  ones,  each  about 
an  inch  in  length,  and  growing  in  slight  sheaths,  to  pro- 
tect them. 

We  would  not  have  believed  that  any  thorns  could  grow 
quite  so  sharp  as  these  did ;  for  no  point  of  the  finest  needle 
entered  the  flesh  so  easily,  or  continued  to  penetrate  with 
so  slight  a  touch. — It  seemed  as  though  they  would  insinu- 
ate themselves  deeper  and  deeper,  with  no  force  to  push 
them  in  ; — but  on  endeavoring  to  draw  one  out,  the  strongest 
resistance  was  experienced ;  the  flesh  rose  and  hung  around 
to  them.  Several  of  them,  well  in,  made  a  seriofpjob  to  ex- 
tricate. 

In  connexion  with  the  thorny  musquit,  and  a  species  of 
flag  covered  with  cat-claw  briers,  and  the  grass  with  keen 
burs,  we  had  these  different  varieties  of  the  cactus,  of  all, 
sizes  and  shapes,  from  this  time,  through  our  whole  future 
march  in  Mexico ;  sometimes  only  thinly  scattered  about, 
then  again  so  close  that  it  was  found  difficult  to  get  a  place 
clear  enough  on  which  to  encamp. — So  the  reader  will  please 
bear  in  mind,  as  a  constant  accompaniment  to  the  future 
marches,  a  full  supply  of  crowded  prickly  pears,  of  tall, 
short,  round,  every  shape,  of  needle-covered  cactus  ;  of  trees 
and  bushes,  all  thorny ;  of  wreeds  and  grass  covered  with  the 
same ;  eo  that  whenever  any  one  left  the  road,  into  these 


SKILL   IN   REMOVING  OBSTACLES   ON   ROAD.  297 

thickets,  whether  for  scouting,  hunting,  or  failure  of  the  plain 
track,  he  had  enough  to  do,  each  moment,  to  save  his  flesh. 
We  now  saw  why  these  rancheros  dressed  in  buckskin ; — 
nothing  else  will  stand  these  thorns.*  The  feeding  and  sad- 
dling of  our  horses,  in  the  morning  before  day,  was  to  us 
the  time  for  getting  thousands  of  them  into  us. — The  wil- 
derness of  rocky  hills,  or  small  mountains,  over  which  our 
road  had  led  for  the  day,  had  been  covered  thickly  with  this 
growth. — Distance  marched,  twenty-five  miles. 

December  30th.  The  reveille  roused  us  before  day,  and  by 
light  we  were  again  on  the  road.  After  proceeding  over  the 
hills  and  rocky  valleys  about  five  miles,  the  whole  division 
was  obliged  to  halt  for  an  hour,  at  a  deep  ravine,  impassable 
for  the  train.  The  sappers  and  miners — a  splendid  company 
of  regulars — were  ordered  up ;  and,  with  a  detachment  of 
infantry  and  dismounted  cavalry,  with  pickaxes,  crowbars, 
shovels,  &c.,  the  ravine  was  cut  down  and  made  passable  in 
a  little  while,  and  we  all  went  down  into  it.f — It  was  a  rough, 
dark  looking,  narrow  chasm,  with  the  jutting  rocks,  in  some 
places,  coming  near  each  other  above.  It  appeared  as  if, 
sometimes,  the  whole  chasm  was  filled  with  rushing  water, 
from  the  cleanliness  of  the  dark  rocks,  on  sides  and  bottom, 
swept  by  its  force. — No  water  was  in  there  now,  however, 
save  a  beautiful  spring  that  bubbled  up,  clear  and  copious, 
from  under  the  projecting  front  of  a  massive  rock. — This 
spring,  to  which  we  hastened,  was,  to  our  disappointment,  of 


,(  *  It  is  customary,  in  the  country,  for  Mexicans,  when  riding,  to  have  a  kind  of  false 
pantaloons,  which  buckle  round  the  waist  and  go  over  each  leg  :  these  are  made  of 
goat  skin,  and  have  the  hair  on  ;  they  are  sufficiently  stout  to  withstand  the  penetra- 
tion of  the  thorns ; — they  are  called  armor  de  pelo,  (covering  of  hair),  and  when  not 
used,  hang  to  the  saddle,  in  front  of  the  leg,  (see  plate,  page  368.) 

•j-  It  was  interesting,  on  this  rough  march,  to  see  the  ease  and  quickness  with  which 
the  most  formidable  obstacles  were  removed,  and  the  road  made  practicable  for  the  ar- 
tillery and  wagons,  by  the  united  efforts  of  science,  skill  and  labor. — The  company  of 
sappers  and  miners  followed  the  advance  of  cavalry  ; — these  last  could  wind  their  way 
along.  The  bugler  of  the  sappers  had  a  set  of  signals,  which  could  be  heard  a  mile, 
and  by  which,  in  those  difficult  roads,  the  movements  of  the  army  were  directed. — The 
officer  of  the  sappers  came  to  an  obstacle  :  a  huge  rock  in  the  road,  an  impassable  ra- 
vine, or  other  impediment. — At  a  signal  from  him,  the  bugler  sounded  the  halt,  by  a 
peculiar  set  of  half  a  dozen  notes — The  cavalry  ahead  drew  up  their  horses;  the  ar- 
tillery behind  stopped ;  the  wagon  train  closed  up,  and  did  the  same ;  the  infantry 


CHANGES  OF  MOUNTAIN  SCENERY. 

so  strong  a  mineral  taste  as  not  to  be  drinkable,  and  we  left 
still  thirsty ;  while  hundreds  of  the  infantry  came  rushing 
down  the  ravine,  to  get  to  it, — but  they  as  soon  left. 

We  continued  our  course,  all  the  day,  over  these  rugged 
mountains,  with  the  road,  in  many  places,  extremely  bad. — 
The  views  and  changes  of  scene  were  innumerable,  but  all 
of  nature's  wildest  work.  To  our  right,  rose  another  higher 
range  of  mountains,  which  were  at  just  such  distance  as  to 
render  their  whole  outlines,  in  their  thousand  forms,  distinct 
to  the  eye.  These,  with  the  appearance  of  their  precipices, 
high  heads,  and  extended  direction,  were  most  imposing. — 
The  range  ran  to  the  south-west — the  course  that  we  were 
traveling. 

The  sun  to-day,  although  the  30th  of  December,  was  very 
hot. — All  gladly  sought  the  shade  of  the  musquit  bushes, 
every  time  the  bugles  of  the  sappers  sounded  a  halt. — At 
four,  P.  M.,  to  our  great  joy,  we  crossed  the  last  summit  of 
this  collection,  and  saw,  down  before  us,  as  pretty  a  valley, 
— or,  rather,  circular  plain, — embosomed  by  the  rugged  moun- 
tains, as  one  could  imagine  ; — it  was  green,  in  appearance  ; 
and  a  winding  branch,  that  looked  like  a  silver  thread,  pass- 
ed through  it. — We  went  down  into  it :  the  soil  was  good, 
and  the  road  level.  A  half  mile  brought  us  to  the  brook, 
in  which  we  found  plenty  of  good  water.  It  was  soon 
filled,  far  up  and  down,  by  our  cavalry,  together  with  the  in- 
fantry ;  the  horses  drinking,  the  men  dipping  Jn  their  tin 
cups,  and  filling  their  emptied  canteens  ;  while  the  artil- 

sat  down  on  the  road,  just  where  they  heard  the  sound ; — and  the  body  of  men,  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  sappers,  removed  the  rock,  filled  up  the  ravine,  or  placed  &f 
bridge  across  it,  (where  material  could  be  procured,)  under  the  supervision  of  the  offi- 
cers. These  knew  their  business  so  well,  and  gave  their  directions  so  plainly,  and 
they  were  followed  with  such  quickness  and  union  of  effort,  that  the  obstacle  was  re- 
moved ;  the  hill  dug  down,  the  ravine  filled  up,  or  the  bridge  strongly  made,  in  less 
time  than  would,  at  home,  be  consumed  in  the  preliminary  consultation  as  to  the  man- 
ner of  commencing  the  work — It  looked  like  magic ;  and  it  was  the  magical  effect  of 
knowledge,  combined  with  connecled  labor. — The  obstacles  removed,  the  buglers  of  the 
sappers  sounded  the  advance:  the  cavalry  proceeded  on  ;  the  artillery  commenced  the 
crossing ;  the  infantry  jumped  to  their  feet,  and  places ;  the  long  train  started,  and 
the  whole  body  were  in  motion,  until  again  they  were  stopped  by  other  obstacles. — 
These  were  many,  as  the  road  was  only  a  mule  track  over  the  rugged  mountains. 


BEAUTIFUL    VALLEY.  299 

lerymen  and  teamsters  were  carrying  buckets  of  it  to  their 
horses. — It  was  a  beautiful  spot :  for  all  along  its  banks  was 
tall  green  grass,  with  purple  and  yellow  wild  flowers. — We 
remained  halted  an  hour,  until  all  had  watered. — The  sun 
was  then  sinking  behind  the  range  of  mountains  on  the 
west,  throwing  their  distinct  outlines  in  relief  against 
the  evening  sky.— The  air  became  pleasant,  and  all  being 
rested  and  refreshed,  the  army  moved  on  over  the  plain :  on 
the  surface  of  this,  here  and  there,  were  springs  that  came 
up  from  the  earth,  and  wandered  off  in  rivulets  ;  one  of 
which  was,  for  a  mile  or  two,  along  the  side  of  the  road. — 
At  sunset,  the  cavalry  advance  had  crossed  the  plain,  and 
were  ordered  to  encamp  on  the  slope  of  a  gentle  hill,  where 
was  a  rancho  of  fifteen  or  twenty  houses. — The  infantry 
encamped  on  the  plain  below. — The  artillery  came  up  near 
the  cavalry,  while  the  extended  wagon  train  closed  its  long 
line  into  four  or  five  parallel  ones,  near  to  the  regiments  of 
infantry. — All  these  were  convenient  to  water ;  for,  from  a 
large  spring  or  basin,  of  twenty  feet  in  diameter,  it  gushed 
out  of  the  hill,  near  to  the  cavalry,  and  flowed  down  in  a 
pretty  brook  by  them. — The  houses  of  the  rancho  were  dis- 
posed around,  leaving  a  large  square,  of  several  acres  ; — in 
the  centre  of  this,  was  the  basin. — This  the  people  had  par- 
tially walled  up  with  flagstones. — Only  one  inconvenience 
arose  to  the  cavalry — which  was  from  the  quantity,  height, 
and  size  of  the  prickly  pear,  about  their  camp. 

December  3lst.  The  last  day  of  the  year,  and  it  was  hot 
enough  for  August. — As  before,  we  were  roused  by  the  re- 
veille, long  before  light;  and  we  stumbled  about  in  the  dark- 
ness, among  the  prickly  pear,  to  feed  our  horses,  with  the 
corn  which  each  man  had  bought  for  himself,  at  the  rancho 
last  night. — Every  step  from  the  tent  brought  us  in  contact 
with  the  prickly  pear,  that  rose  above  our  heads,  or  with  some 
other  cactus  ; — and  many  bitter  oaths  in  that  thicket,  were 
loudly  given,  that  morning.— The  fires  were  soon  kindled, 
and,  as  we  had  fresh  beef  served  out  to  us  the  night  before, 
we  had  first-rate  steaks,  broiled  on  the  coals,  for  our  hasty 
breakfast ;  which,  however,  would  have  been  much  better, 
had  we  possessed  a  little  salt  to  sprinkle  over  them. — From 


300  APPETITE  FOR  COFFEE. 

the  want  of  water  during  the  day,  every  one  had  now  got 
into  the  habit,  which  they  continued  after,  of  taking  in  the 
morning,  large  draughts  of  coffee. 

That  same  delicate  young  man,  who,  with  his  hair  nicely 
brushed,  his  face  smoothly  shaven,  his  broadcloth  black  coatf 
glossy,  without  a  particle  of  lint  upon  it,  and  his  boots  highly 
polished,  had  often,  at  home,  made  his  appearance  at  the 
breakfast-table,  as  late  as  eight  o'clock  ;  and  who,  during  a 
slight  meal,  when  asked  by  the  landlady,  "Will  you  take 
another  cup  of  coffee,  sir?"  had  replied,  "No,  madam,  I 
never  take  but  one  cup ;  I  think  a  free  use  of  coffee  inju- 
rious to  health," — now  might  be  seen,  by  the  glaring  light  of 
the  camp-fire  before  the  tent,  before  day,  to  come  out,  and 
straighten  himself  and  rub  his  eyes ; — dressed  precisely  as  he 
had  been  the  day  before,  for  not  an  article  of  clothing,  not 
even  his  boots,  had  been  taken  off — nothing,  save  his  spurs, 
and  they  would  not  have  been,  if  his  next  comrade  had  not 
cursed  about  his  having  them  on  when  he  lay  down ;  and 
that  dress  bad  enough,  any  way ;  with  a  bushy  beard,  that 
had  not  seen  a  razor  in  three  months. — He  yawns,  and  the 
first  thing  that  strikes  his  attention  is  the  coffee-pot,  which 
his  messmate,  whose  turn  it  is  to  cook  for  the  day,  is  put- 
ting on  the  hot  fire.  "  Bill,  how  much  coffee  have  you  got 
in  there  ?  d — n  my  soul,  if  I  got  half  enough,  when  Jim 
cooked,  yesterday  ! "  A  voice  comes  from  the  inside  of  the 
tent — it  is  Jim's  :  "  You  got  your  tin  cup  twice  full,  John, 

and  it  was  strong  as  d — n n,  at  that." — "  Well,  my  cup 

is  small,"  replied  the  first. — '"  Small !  it  holds  over  a  pint," 
says  Jim. — "  Never  mind,"  says  Bill,  over  the  fire,  "  I  shall 
have  enough  for  you,  presently  ;  for  the  pot  is  full  of  water,  - 
and  I  put  my  cup  nearly  full  of  pounded  coffee  into  it." 

Breakfast  was  over,  the  camp  all  deserted,  and  the  army 
was  on  its  march,  still  towards  the  everlasting  south-west. 
Many  of  the  men  of  our  regiment,  after  a  half-serious  con- 
sultation on  this  course,  a  few  days  before,  concluded,  from 
their  continuous  march  in  this  direction,  that  the  world  was 
much  longer  on  this  course  than  any  other  way  ! — The  morn- 
ing was  very  fine,  and  the  road  good. — Leaving  the  moun- 
tains on  our  right  and  left,  we  came  out  on  a  high  plain,  over 


EXTENSIVE   PLAINS.  301 

the  surface  of  which  were  scattered  sword  palmettos,  cactus 
of  various  kinds,  and  wild  maguey;  which  latter,  continually 
struck  our  attention,  the  leaves  being  so  large,  thick,  and 
strong. — The  chain  of  mountains  on  the  right,  continued  as 
before;  offering  to  the  view,  illumined  by  the  morning  sun, 
any  number  of  slowly  changing  aspects. — Ten  miles  distance 
brought  us  to  the  brow  of  a  high,  precipitous  descent,  falling 
off  on  a  wider  plain  below,  over  which  the  vision  extended  for 
many  miles  to  the  north-west,  west,  south-west,  and  south  ; 
the  whole,  seeming,  in  the  distance,  to  be  locked  in  by  high 
mountains  of  every  form  of  swell.  In  the  front,  six  miles 
distant,  was  the  town  of  Santander,  showing  plainly,  its 
white  surfaces  of  beautiful  buildings  and  towers. — Although 
so  far  off,  still,  from  the  magnitude,  height,  and  distance  of 
the  mountains  behind,  it  appeared  almost  in  the  fore-ground 
of  the  view.  The  whole  plain  appeared  like  a  vast  map 
spread  out  below. 

A  halt  being  here  commanded,  for  the  infantry  and  wagon 
train  to  come  up — the  advance  having,  on  the  good  road,  got 
much  ahead  of  them — all  of  us  had  full  leisure  to  survey  the 
scene.  After  a  while  they  came  up,  and  the  descent  wras 
commenced.  The  troops  found  no  trouble  in  getting  down 
to  the  lower  plain,  but  the  train  descended  with  great  diffi- 
culty ;  it  was  near  night  when  all  were  down.  The  road 
then  was  excellent  on  to  the  town,  which,  leaving  a  little  to 
the  left,  the  troops  in  advance  (not  waiting  for  the  train 
and  rear),  passed  on  to  the  Santander  river,  crossed  it,  and 
encamped  upon  the  opposite  bank,  on  a  level  area,  in  a 
good  situation. — Near  the  camp  was  an  old  dam,  of  stone, 
thrown  across  the  river,  of  great  size  and  excellent  workman- 
ship ;  as  perfect  now,  after  the  water  had  been  beating  upon 
and  rushing  over  it,  for  over  one  hundred  years  (as  the  citi- 
zens of  the  town  informed  us),  as  when  it  was  first  built. 

A  pretty  cascade  of  water  was  continually  pouring  over 
it,  and  dashing  on  the  stone  foundation,  about  twelve  feet 
below; — it  rushed  off  this  broad  platform  of  rock,  into  a 
deep,  clear,  and  pretty  basin,  with  pebbly  bottom  and  grassy 
banks. — Into  this  basin,  on  account  of  the  heat  of  the  day 
and  dust  of  the  march,  scores  of  the  men  immediately  went 


302  ANCIENT  DAM. 

to  bathe,  for  which  purpose  no  place  could  be  prettier. — 
It  was  the  bathing  place  of  all  the  scnoritas  of  the  town,  who, 
every  evening,  had  resorted  there ;  (for  the  Mexican  women 
have  about  the  same  partiality  for  water  as  is  shown  by  a 
brood  of  young  ducks  when  first  they  waddle  towards  a 
pond*),  and  not  caring  much  for  the  presence  of  the  "sterner 
sex  ;  "  thinking  no  harm,  for  custom  makes  all  things  right. 
Above  the  dam,  the  water  lay  in  a  still  sheet,  stretching  back 
for  a  long  distance.  Its  color,  where  deep,  was  of  a  light 
sky  blue  ;  and  this,  together  with  the  orange  and  other  trees 
of  bright  green,  many  of  which  trailed  their  branches  in  the 
water ;  and  the  running  vines,  with  many  yellow  flowers 
above,  climbing  upon  them  and  overhanging  the  basin,  made 
the  whole  a  pretty  scene,  and  appearing  better  still  when 
visited  upon  the  conclusion  of  as  hot  a  day  as  this  had  been. 
Many  of  us  walked  up  to  the  town  ; — like  all  others,  Mexi- 
can, it  had  its  stone,  close  buildings,  \vith  interior  courts. — 
Many  gardens,  however,  ornamented  the  place,  and  in  their 
flourishing  state,  added  a  freshness  to  it.  There  was  no  dust, 
and  all  was  quiet  and  pleasant  in  the  streets.  (It  was  neg- 
lected to  be  mentioned  that  we  had  left  the  strong  winds  and 
dust  of  the  coast,  upon  leaving  the  prairie  on  the  "  long  day's 
march,"  the  day  previous  to  our  arrival  at  San  Fernando.) 

Many  of  the  inhabitants,  like  those  of  San  Fernando,  were 
distrustful  of  us,  and  kept  themselves  within  doors. — Those 
of  the  better  class  were  free  in  their  intercourse,  and  treated 
all  of  us  who  went  in  there  with  attention  and  respect,  but 
only  through  fear.  A  deputation,  consisting  of  the  alcaldes, 
president  of  the  ayuntamiento,  and  several  of  the  members 
of  that  body,  had  met  General  Patterson  at  the  head  of  the 
army,  a  short  distance  from  the  descent  of  the  hill  mentioned, 

*  The  higher  classes  of  the  Mexican  women  have  private  bathing  places ;  but  all 
the  others  bathe  in  the  rivers.  Although  so  fond  of  bathing,  all  have  singular  repug- 
nance to  washing  their  faces  in  the  manner  that  we  do; — in  fact,  never  doing  it; — 
they  think  it  unhealthy.  If  the  face  is  to  be  cleansed,  they  do  it  with  a  cloth  slightly 
dampened. — When  bathing,  even,  many  will  not  immerse  their  faces  in  the  water,  or 
wet  their  faces  or  hair  with  the  cool  liquid,  although  some  then  do,  but  at  no  other 
time. — This  bathing  is  followed  the  whole  year.  The  men,  although  fond  of  it,  yet 
bathe  not  so  often  as  the  women  ; — yet,  in  spite  of  all  this  bathing,  the  lower  classes 
are  a  dirty  set  in  their  clothing,  persons  and  houses. 


OLD  PALACE  AT  SANTANDER.  303 

and  with  much  ceremony,  had  surrendered  their  town  to  him, 
and  asked  protection  for  themselves.  Their  address  was  in- 
terpreted to  the  generals,  who,  in  return,  promised  this,  and 
made  other  remarks,  to  the  effect  that  the  armies  of  the  Uni- 
ted States  came  not  to  fight  private  citizens,  but  against 
their  unjust  rulers,  &c.,  &c. 

This  was  interpreted  to  the  deputation,  and  the  first  al- 
calde replied,  disavowing  the  acts  of  Paredes  and  Santa 
Anna,  and  professing  friendship  to  the  "  United  States  of  the 
north,"  as  they  termed  our  country,  (all  hypocritical) ;  and 
then  returned  to  their  town,  in  advance  of  the  army,  to  quiet 
the  apprehensions  of  their  citizens. 

There  were  many  things  in  this  town  to  attract  our  atten- 
tion.— The  church  was  on  the  public  plaza ;  was  a  fine  build- 
ing of  stone,  with  its  due  proportion  of  heavy  bells,  &c. — 
Around  the  plaza,  too,  were  several  fine  buildings  of  the  same 
material ;  of  which,  in  fact,  the  Avhole  town  was  built,  like 
San  Fernando.  The  stone  is  the  same  ; — called  in  Mexico, 
tunastate. 

But  the  object  of  most  interest  in  this  town  of  Santander, 
was  the  old  palace  of  the  Conde  de  Saragorde,  the  former  go- 
vernor of  this  whole  northern  section  of  Mexico,  in  times  long 
ago.  The  count,  the  alcalde  of  the  town  informed  us,  built  this 
palace  in  the  years  1734-35  ;  and  about  the  same  time  con- 
structed the  dam  spoken  of,  to  divert  the  water  from  the  river, 
along  a  narrow  canal,  to  the  town  and  lands  in  the  vicinity. 
He  also  built  the  church ;  and  not  only  founded  this  town,  but 
also  that  of  San  Fernando,  through  which  we  had  previously 
passed. 

The  palace,  now  old,  and  the  interior  somewhat  dilapida- 
ted, is  a  noble  edifice,  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet  square, 
with  a  court  in  the  centre.  It  is  of  two  stories  ; — ascending 
from  the  court  yard  within  are  three  spacious  flights  of  stone 
steps,  leading  to  the  lofty  upper  piazza,  with  its  numerous 
massive  doric  pillars  of  stone ;  the  floors  above  are  of 
polished  stone  ;  the  roof  of  the  same  durable  material ; — 
the  quantity  of  sculpture  is  splendidly  executed.  At  the 
head  of  the  principal  stairway,  the  coat  of  arms  of  the 
count,  based  upon  the  arms  of  Spain,  stand  out  in  bold 


304  THE  NEW   YEAR. 

relief,  undefaced  and  uninjured. — Bass  reliefs  of  stone  abound 
in  all  the  numerous  apartments. — No  one  now  resides  at  the 
palace ; — it  stands  almost  imperishable,  a  memento  of  for- 
mer times. — After  finishing  our  observation  of  the  town  of 
Santander,  we  returned  to  camp. 

This  evening  our  regiment  was  reviewed  by  the  colonel, 
in  order  to  make  out  the  pay-roll  for  the  last  two  months. — 
In  this  review,  the  condition  of  our  horses  was  minutely  in- 
quired into,  and  report  made  of  the  same. — Nearly  all  had 
American  horses  ;  but  those  who  had  lost  theirs,  had  been 
obliged  to  furnish  themselves  with  Mexican  animals  : — these 
stood  not  so  high,  in  the  opinion  of  our  generals,  as  the 
others. 

After  the  review,  a  Mexican  arrived  in  camp  from  Victoria, 
ahead. — He  bore  a  dispatch  from  General  Quitman  to  Gen. 
Patterson,  containing  the  information  that  the  former  had  ta- 
ken Victoria,  the  Mexican  army  falling  back  at  his  approach, 
in  the  mountains  towards  Tula.  This  news  put  an  end  to 
the  anticipations  by  our  men,  of  a  brush  with  the  enemy 
there,  much  to  their  disappointment. — March  of  the  day,  six- 
teen miles. 

January  1st,  1847.  The  new  year  ushered  itself  in  last 
night,  in  a  manner  not  agreeable  to  us  poor  mortals,  who 
had  just  witnessed  the  close  of  its  predecessor,  which  had  left 
us  in  so  different  a  situation  from  that  in  which  it  found  us  at 
its  commencement.  We  had  been  musing  and  conversing 
on  this  during  the  pleasant  moonlight  evening,  and  had  set 
up  late,  so  engaged.  As  usual  in  such  pleasant  weather, 
most  preferred  to  sleep  in  the  open  air,  rather  than  in  the 
tents.  t 

At  midnight  the  new  year  came  in,  accompanied  with  a 
most  violent  and  sudden  norther ;  which  blew  the  tents 
down,  ripping  and  tearing  them ;  whistling,  rushing,  and 
withal,  "  kicking  up  such  a  dust,"  that  we  knew  not  what 
to  make  of  the  sudden  visit. — It  became  so  cold  that  we 
were  chilled  through  under  its  influence.  The  rest  of  the 
night  was  cold,  windy,  and  uncomfortable. — We  were  not 
on  the  march  until  after  sunrise,  on  account  of  some  of  the 
last  wagons  of  the  train  not  having  been  able  to  cross  the 


EXCELLENT  WELL  AT  RANCHO.  305 

river  last  night,  so  long  a  time  being  occupied  in  descending 
the  steep  hill  six  miles  back. 

The  march  of  this  day  was  over  a  barren  country,  exceed- 
ingly rocky  in  many  places ;  large  ledges  of  the  tunastate, 
or  white  soft  building  stone,  cropped  out  on  the  surface) 
ready  split  by  nature,  by  parallel  fissures,  into  blocks  of  con- 
venient size  for  building.  We  passed  no  fertile  valleys,  or 
any  habitation,  during  the  day ;  the  road  was  over  rocky, 
broken  hills,  and  through  ravines,  covered  with  a  thin  growth 
of  musquit,  some  cactus  of  various  kinds,  with  here  and  there 
a  stunted  tree  of  lignum  vitsB. — This  last  has  small,  round 
leaves,  of  a  deep  green  color  ; — the  quality  of  its  wood,  every 
one  knows. 

At  three,  P.  M.,  after  a  march  of  eighteen  miles,  the  ad- 
vance arrived  at  a  rancho,  and  near  it,  came  to  one  of  the  best 
wells  we  ever  saw,  fixed  in  the  best  manner  for  watering  a 
large  number  of  horses,  or  other  animals,  at  once.  It  was 
about  ten  feet  square,  and  eighteen  feet  deep  ;  was  walled 
up  with  stone  and  cement ;  had  a  large  square  platform^ 
about  twenty  feet  on  each  side,  of  the  same  material,  raised 
four  feet  in  height ; — on  this  was  a  wheel  and  shaft,  for  rais- 
ing the  water.  On  one  side  of  this  platform  was,  also,  a 
large  stone  cemented  reservoir,  or  bathing  basin,  smooth,  and 
well  finished,  twelve  feet  square,  and  four  feet  deep.  From 
the  side  of  the  platform  on  which  this  basin  was,  a  high  ce- 
mented stone  wall  ran  off  about  a  hundred  and  twenty  feet ; 
on  either  side  of  this  wall  was  a  long  trough  of  the  same,  for 
the  whole  length,  and  the  ground  adjoining,  for  fifteen  feet 
on  either  side,  was  paved  with  large  flag  stones,  to  prevent 
the  formation  of  mud.  The  water  ran  from  the  bathing 
basin,  into  which  it  was  raised  by  the  wheel,  along  stone 
spouts,  into  the  troughs.  The  whole,  here  in  this  wilderness, 
surpassed  anything  of  the  kind  that  can  be  found  in  the 
United  States. 

We  learned  that  this  is  a  stopping  place  for  all  the  Mexi- 
can troops  marching  through  this  section,  and  for  all  bodies 
of  traders,  or  " arrieros"  with  their  droves  of  pack  mules. — 
The  well  afforded  an  abundant  supply  of  water  for  the  men 
and  horses  of  the  whole  division ;  and  one  can  readily  sup- 
20 


CONVENIENCES  FOR  WATERING. 

pose  that  to  furnish  two  thousand  men,  and  more  horses, 
after  the  day's  march,  would  require  much. 

Wood  for  fires  was  scarce,  and  one  of  the  wagoners  pulled 
up  two  or  three  of  the  little  crooked  stakes  of  the  musquit, 
driven  down  by  the  low  trough  to  keep  the  mules  from  paw- 
ing it,  which,  however,  were  almost  all  gone  long  ago  ; — of 
the  few  that  remained,  this  man  pulled  up  four,  each  about 
two  feet  long,  and  half  rotten.  General  Patterson  saw  him, 
and  had  him  tied  to  his  wagon  wheel,  close  to  the  well,  for 
the  view  of  the  whole  army,  as  they,  in  continued  numbers, 
came  for  water. — He  remained  thus  tied  with  a  strong  rope, 
until  night ; — how  much  longer,  "  deponent  saith  not,"  not 
knowing. — To  such  length  do  they  carry  "  protection  to  the 
Mexicans." 

This  well,  we  were  informed,  was  thus  built  up  in  1828;  it 
had  remained  uninjured  eighteen  years ;  and,  from  the  solidity 
of  its  construction,  will  remain  hundreds  more,  unless  forcibly 
destroyed. — These  Mexicans  are  singular  people  in  many  of 
their  ways  and  actions. — If  they  do  anything  with  regard  to 
water,  it  is  done  not  only  for  the  present  generation,  but  foi 
many  succeeding  ones. — If  they  build  a  dam,  to  divert  watei. 
like  that  at  Santander,  which  is  as  good  now,  as  it  was  one 
hundred  and  eighteen  years  ago,  they  build  it  to  endure  for 
ages. — If  they  fix  a  well,  like  this,  in  strong  stone  and  stronger 
cement,  it  bids  defiance  to  the  destroying  hand  of  time,  for  gen- 
eration after  generation. — If  they  undertake  a  bridge,  its  lofty 
stone  arches  are  not  made  in  the  light  manner  of  those  few 
seen  in  our  country,  but  are  so  large,  so  strong,  and  have  foun- 
dations so  firm,  that  centuries  hence,  they  will  be  as  perfect  as 
at  present;  a  bridge  that  they  finish,  needs  no  repair  for  agesf 
for  there  is  nothing  destructible,  or  that  can  change  in  them. 
(As  will  be  mentioned  hereafter,  of  the  bridges  on  the  road 
from  Vera  Cruz  to  the  city  of  Mexico.)  If  they  attempt  an 
aqueduct  (like  that  in  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz,  which  conducts 
the  water  now  as  copiously  and  as  pure  as  it  did  in  1725, 
when  it  was  finished),  it  needs  no  repairs,  no  alterations,  no 
meddling  with  it  in  any  way  for  centuries  ;  it  works  as  freely 
for  the  old  man  eighty  years  of  age,  as  it  did  for  his  father ; 
and  the  same  old  man  can  see  no  difference  in  the  appear- 


MEXICAN   BRIDGES,  AQUEDUCTS,   AND  WELLS.  307 

ance  of  the  bridge  over  which  he  totters  in  his  age,  from  its 
state  when  he  rah  and  frolicked  over  it  in  his  youth ;  and 
which,  in  the  mean  time,  has  had  upon  it  not  a  repairing 
hand. — If  these  people  cannot  do  these  things  in  that  man- 
ner, they  will  not  do  them  at  all. — But  to  return  to  our  en- 
campment. As  said  before,  there  was  a  rancho  here,  but  it 
contained  only  three  rough  houses ;  like  the  rest  of  the 
ranches  that  we  have  met  since  we  left  Matamoras,  they 
were  made  of  crooked  musquit  poles,  set  to  one  another  in 
the  ground,  covered  with  straw,  without  floor,  chimney,  or 
windows  (see  plate,  page  378). — The  beef  contractors  procured 
from  the  owner  of  them,  several  fine  beeves,  for  the  use  of 
the  army. 

January  2d.  This  morning,  our  company,  being  the  ad- 
vance for  the  day,  were  early  roused ;  we  got  our  breakfasts, 
saddled  up,  and  \vere  on  the  road  before  day  ;  we  were  fol- 
lowed closely,  by  the  sappers  and  miners,  by  whoae  bugles, 
as  before  described,  our  movements  were  governed. — The 
road,  to-day,  was  very  difficult,  being  but  a  mule  track,  over 
the  "young  mountains,"  extremely  stony,  and  with  much 
more  ascent  and  descent  than  had  been  made  on  the  day  pre- 
vious.— So  many  flat  rocks  lay  piled  over  the  vast  hills,  that 
musquit,  cactus,  or  hardly  a  tuft  of  grass  could  find  a  footing. 
— At  noon  we  reached  the  hacienda  of  San  Antonio,  and 
the  finest  house  was  being  built  here,  that  so  far,  we  had 
eeen  in  Mexico. — A  considerable  number  of  the  rude  houses 
of  the  peones  were  around  it. — The  valley  in  which  this  was, 
was  free  from  stone,  and  apparently  fertile. 

After  a  short  halt  at  the  house,  we  proceeded  down  to  the 
bank  of  a  small  river,  with  very  high  and  steep  banks, 
upon  which  were  some  large  cypresses,  as  large  as  any  in 
our  own  country.  These  attracted  our  attention,  being  the 
first  large  trees  that  we  had  seen  for  eight  or  nine  hundred 
miles. — We  crossed  the  stream,  and  ascended  the  other  bank, 
which  was  very  difficult,  and,  as  much  trouble  and  delay  was 
expected,  in  crossing  the  train,  we  of  the  advance,  were 
ordered  to  proceed  on  the  road  half  a  mile,  and  place  out 
scouts  for  observation  ;  this  was  done  by  our  taking  position, 
in  the  musquit  timber ;  and  our  horses,  for  the  first  day  in 


308  CROSSING  OF  THE  SAN  ANTOMO- 

many,  found  plenty  of  grass. — It  took  the  rest  of  the  day  to 
cross  the  army  and  company  wagons ;  but  few  of  the  train 
wagons  coming  over ;  the  rest,  and  the  rear  guard  encamped 
on  the  other  side. — On  account  of  this  delay,  the  march  of 
the  day  was  but  about  nine  miles. 

January  3d.  Last  night  our  company  had  a  busy  time. — 
Hardly  had  its  wagon  arrived,  and  the  men  began  to  get  their 
suppers,  than  an  order  came  for  the  whole  company  to  stand 
guard  for  the  night,  and  to  go  on  post  immediately. — Most 
of  the  men  were  forced  to  go  without  any  supper,  or  to  get 
it  during  the  night,  when  off  post,  as  they  could. — We  were 
withdrawn  from  guard,  and  ordered  to  saddle  up,  this  morn- 
ing before  day,  but  did  not  start  for  an  hour  or  more. 

Last  night  the  troops  were  all  busy  until  late — many  in  as- 
sisting the  wagon  train  across  the  San  Antonio,  and  up  the 
steep  bank  on  this  side,  which,  at  the  least  calculation,  was 
one  hundred  feet  high ;  and  the  elevation,  on  one  part  of  it, 
was  near  forty-five  degrees. — It  was  severe  pulling,  even 
with  double  teams,  and  the  assistance  of  many  on  foot. 

This  morning,  leaving  the  remainder  of  the  train  to  come 
over  the  river,  protected  by  the  rear-guard,  and  assisted  by 
a  proper  force,  the  part  of  the  army  that  was  already  over, 
were  on  the  march  at  an  early  hour,  proceeding  towards  the 
town  of  Padilla,  (Pah-dhe-yaJi,)  only  three  miles  from  the 
San  Antonio.  The  road  was  excellent — the  land  good. — We 
were  then  in  the  narrow  fork  between  the  San  Antonio  river 
on  the  north,  and  the  Padilla  river,  a  larger  stream,  on  the 
south.  While  crossing  this  level  tract,  we  suddenly  met  the 
prefect,  alcaldes,  and  the  other  civil  authorities  of  the  town 
of  Padilla,  coming  out,  in  a  dashing  cavalcade,  to  surrender/ 
their  town  to  the  general.  We  turned  a  little  from  the 
road,  by  order  of  the  officer,  to  allow  them  to  pass  down 
towards  the  general.  This  little  act  of  courtesy  seemed  to 
surprise  the  Mexicans,  who  acknowledged  it  by  low  bows  to 
the  officer  and  column ; — they  went  on,  and  met  the  gen- 
eral.— The  army  was  halted,  and  the  surrender  made  ;  and, 
in  company  with  them,  the  general  and  his  staff  came  up, 
while  we  opened  to  the  right  and  left,  to  let  them  pass. 
— The  countenances  of  the  Mexicans  then,  had  a  different 


CROSSING  OF  THE  PADILLA   RIVER.  309 

appearance  than  that  they  wore  when,  a  few  moments  be- 
fore, they  had  passed  along.  As  we  of  the  advance  were  now 
near  the  river  and  the  town,  the  general  and  his  staff  went 
with  the  Mexicans  directly  over,  thus  having  an  opportunity 
to  enjoy  their  hospitality,  before  we  came  up.  It  was  not, 
however,  a  wise  movement  for  the  general  to  leave  his  army, 
fiven  for  a  mile,  to  go  into  a  town  ahead,  with  only  his  staff 
accompanying  him. 

We  now  came  to  the  river,  on  the  southern  bank  of  which 
was  the  town.  It  was  as  pretty  a  stream  as  one  could 
wish  to  see :  broad,  of  water  clear,  of  current  very  swift, 
and  pebbly  bottom,  and  each  bank  fringed  with  tall  cypress 
trees. — The  water  was  about  waist  deep,  and  cold. — We 
crossed  well  enough  ;  but  when  the  infantry  came,  with  them 
a  scene  of  fun  and  boisterous  mirth  took  place,  as  was  al- 
ways the  case  when  a  river  was  to  be  forded.  ••  Some  stop- 
ped and  took  off  their  pantaloons,  and  held  them  above  their 
heads,  when  wading ;  but  the  most,  captains  and  lieutenants 
as  well  as  men,  started  not  a  thing  ;  but  the  latter,  holding 
their  cartridge-boxes,  knapsacks,  haversacks  and  muskets, 
above  their  heads,  took  the  water,  with  the  same  step  as  be- 
fore, and  with  no  delay  ; — wading  to  their  waists,  stemming 
the  strong  current ;  while  the  whole  multitude  were  laugh- 
ing and  yelling,  splashing,  and  floundering  along. — Arrived 
on  the  pebbly  shore  of  the  other  side,  they  dropped  their 
knapsacks,  cartridge-boxes,  and  haversacks,  to  their  places, 
and  after  halting  a  few  moments,  and  filling  their  canteens, 
fell  into  column  again,  and  marched  on,  as  contented  as 
though  they  had  been  dry. — The  wagons  which  had  crossed 
the  San  Antonio,  found  no  delay  in  passing  over  this  second 
river. — Leaving  the  bank  of  this  last,  just  as  the  sun  was 
rising,  we  proceeded  into  the  town,  where  the  inhabitants 
did  not  seem  to  possess  the  feelings  of  apprehension  of  in- 
jury, that  we  had  noticed  at  San  Fernando  and  Santander  ; 
being  out  in  crowds  to  look  at  us. — The  first  thing  that  took 
our  attention,  was  the  number  of  large  orange  groves  on 
either  side  of  us ; — most  beautiful  trees  they  were  :  of  large 
size,  deep  green  leaves,  and  regular,  close  appearance ;  cov- 
ered with  fruit — some  ripe,  and  some  green. — So  many  large 


310  TOWN   OF   PADILLA. 

oranges  were  ripe,  on  some  of  them,  that  they  gave  to  the 
trees  a  golden  appearance,  as  the  rays  of  the  rising  sun  shone 
upon  them. — The  blossoms  filled  the  air  with  their  delightful 
fragrance.  (These  blossoms  are  small  and  white  ; — they  do 
not  strike  the  eye  with  much  beauty,  but  are  of  great  fra- 
grance.)— We  purchased  quantities  of  this  fine  fruit  for  a 
trifle  ;  and  it  was  universally  remarked,  that  it  was  of  better 
quality  than  any  we  had  ever  tasted  before — being  large, 
s\veet,  and  juicy. 

The  morning  was  quite  cool,  and  the  crowds  of  peones 
and  others  that  gazed  at  us,  had  their  Jiorongos  muffled  up 
about  their  necks  and  chins. — We  proceeded  on  to  the  plaza ; 
this  was  large,  but  the  buildings  around  it  showed  rather 
what  they  once  were,tthan  anything  attractive  in  their  pres- 
ent appearance.  Many  of  them  were  falling  in  ruins; — all 
looked  old  and  blackened  with  time. 

It  was  in  this  plaza  that  the  emperor,  Iturbide,  the  first 
and  last  that  Mexico,  since  the  conquest  by  Cortez,  has  had, 
was  shot,  after  he  had  landed  on  the  coast  near  here,  to  en- 
deavor to  regain  his  throne.  He  fell  here  on  the  evening 
of  July  19th,  1824,  receiving  at  the  fatal  volley,  two  balls  in 
his  head,  and  two  in  his  heart.  The  spot  where  he  knelt 
and  died  is  pointed  out  by  the  inhabitants ;  who,  together 
with  the  whole  of  the  Mexican  nation,  now  almost  worship 
his  memory :  and  certain  it  is,  that  if  he  had  regained  his 
throne,  the  nation  would  have  been  in  a  far  better  condition 
than  it  is  at  present.* 

*  As  both  the  life  and  death  of  Iturbide  are  so  intimately  connected  in  their  effects 
upon  Mexico,  as  she  has  been  since  that  time,  a  short  account  of  that  life,  and  the 
revolution  in  Mexico,  in  which  he  acted  so  conspicuous  a  part,  cannot  fail  of  being 
interesting  to  the  reader.  Many  persons,  when  reading  of  the  Mexican  revolution, 
and  her  subsequent  independence,  suppose  it  similar,  in  grounds  and  in  action,  as  well 
as  in  effect,  to  that  by  which  our  own  country  became  free  from  British  tyranny. 
— But  these  persons  are  entirely  mistaken. — The  revolution  in  Mexico  was  not  com- 
menced on  such  grounds  as  those  which  animated  our  forefathers  to  rebel  against  the 
continued  oppression  of  the  English  government ; — neither  was  it  carried  on  with  that 
ardor  of  spirit  and  determination,  in  its  actors  and  leaders,  to  accomplish  good  for 
their  country,  and  establish  a  free  and  independent  government,  that  stimulated  the 
patriots  of  our  own  land. — Nor  has  the  revolution  in  Mexico  been  productive  of  anything 
resembling  the  glorious  effects  of  that  of  the  United  States,  in  raising,  as  it  were,  in  a 


SPIRITUOUS    LIQUOR— MUSCAL.  311 

Leaving  the  town  of  Padilla,  we  marched  out  over  barren, 
musquit  covered,  rocky  hills,  a  mile  or  two,  and  halted  for 
abou*  three  hours,  until  joined  by  the  remainder  of  the  train, 
and  the  rear- guard  had  come  up  to  the  Padilla  river. — The 
bugles  then  sounded,  the  general  came  up,  and  we  moved 
ahead. — During  the  long  halt  there,  many  of  the  men  got 
freely  under  the  influence  of  a  spirituous  liquor  which  was 
new  to  us  :  the  Mexicans  called  it  muscat.  It  was  colorless, 
and  nearly  strong  as  alcohol. — They  sold  it  freely  in  Padilla, 
at  a  dollar  a  quart ;  and  that  quantity  was  enough  to  intox- 
icate twenty  men. — It  is  distilled  from  the  wild  maguey 
plant,  and  has  a  singular,  fiery,  smoky  taste,  and  a  flavor,  as 

day,  a  nation  of  freedom  and  happiness  among  the  powers  of  the  earth,  respected 
by  all. 

The  revolution  in  Mexico  was  began  rather  on  account  of  the  change  of  kings  in 
Spain,  than  for  any  grievances  that  the  Mexicans  had  to  complain  of.  It  was  carried 
on  as  a  system  of  plunder  of  the  government  property,  and  a  kind  of  legal  robbery,  by 
the  insurgent  chiefs ;  who,  acting  without  concert  with  one  another,  and  responsible 
to  no  one,  were  no  more  nor  less  than  captains  of  large  bands  of  robbers ;  neither  did 
they  scruple  openly,  to  act  the  robber  in  their  attacks  upon  the  inhabitants  of  the  coun- 
try, as  well  as  on  the  king's  troops. — More  for  plunder  and  personal  advancement  of 
the  leaders,  (with  only  one  or  two  honorable  exceptions),  than  for  the  independence 
of  the  country,  was  the  war  protracted  from  1810  till  1821.  It  was  finally  accom- 
plished by  the  treachery  of  a  government  officer,  Iturbide,  who  had  been  intrusted 
with  the  command  of  its  army ;  this  he  did  for  his  own  advancement ;  and 
finally  lost  his  life  in  consequence. — After  Mexican  independence  had  by  this  means 
been  accomplished,  what,  since,  has  been  the  result? — A  host  of  adventurers,  with 
Santa  Anna  at  their  head,  have  been  striving  on  the  arena  for  personal  power,  and 
for  the  greatest  proportion  of  the  spoils ;  while  the  nation  has,  under  the  alternate 
domination  of  these,  gone  backward  at  a  rapid  rate. — Her  commerce,  once  a  little, 
now  is  none  ;  her  agriculture,  always  rude,  yet,  under  the  Spanish  government,  was 
such  that  the  sum  of  her  exports  amounted  to  a  considerable  revenue  to  her,  yearly. — 
Now  her  exports  of  all  productions  are  scarcely  one-third  as  large  as  they  were  forty 
years  ago. — Then  her  mines  filled  the  world  with  wealth ;  now  the  most  valuable  of 
them  are  useless,  their  shafts  filled  with  water,  their  miners  dispersed,  their  machinery 
destroyed. — She  is  a  reproach  to  the  name  of  Republic. — Her  government  and  system 
changes  continually,  and  the  only  thing  which  remains  untouched,  are  her  old  Span- 
ish civil  laws,  under  which,  as  before,  the  people  are  placed  ; — never  having  had  time, 
in  their  civil  wars,  to  form  a  code  of  republican  laws  ;  or  having  time,  have  had  no  wish 
to  do  it.  The  nation  is  far  worse  oft*' than  before  the  revolution ;  still  tending  downward 
every  year. — The  people  now  are  in  a  station  for  which  they  are  entirely  unfit. — Wri- 
ters may  expatiate  on  the  probabilities  of  the  republic  of  Mexico  rising  to  a  station  of 
power  and  respectability  among  other  nations ;  but  that  is  impossible ;  to  do  it,  sho 
must  have  other  customs,  other  manners,  other  laws,  other  institutions,  and  in  fact,  an- 
other people.  Her  people  are  not  capable  of  governing  themselves,  and  never  will 


312  BARREN  HILLS. 

some  remarked  at  the  time,  more  like  green  tobacco  than 
anything  else. — (We  got  plenty  of  this  muscal  after  this , 
and  a  description  of  its  manufacture  will  hereafter  be  given, 
with  that  of  the  other  spirituous  liquors  that  the  Mexicans 
use — see  page  402). — Our  march  now,  for  about  ten  miles 
farther,  lay  over  the  same  small,  stony  hills,  all  barren  and 
desolate. — About  one  o'clock  we  left  these,  and  came  down 
upon  rolling,  fertile  lands,  with  but  little  growth  of  musquit. 
—Two  or  three  miles  over  this  land,  brought  us  to  the  Rio 
Corona,  or  Crown  river ;  running,  like  the  San  Antonio  and 
Padilla  rivers,  an  eastwardly  direction,  and  all  discharging 
their  waters  below,  into  the  Santander ;  which,  near  the  coast, 

be. — A  monarchy  is  the  only  form  of  government  under  which  the  nation  can  exist 
with  any  prosperity — We  are  apt  to  judge  them  by  ourselves ;  no  judgment  can  be 
more  fallacious. 

When  a  monarch  is  upon  the  throne  of  Mexico,  and  enforces  obedience  to  whole- 
some laws,  then,  and  then  only,  will  the  country  be  free  from  the  ravages  of  continued 
civil  war  by  partisan  leaders,  and  an  ignorant,  discontented  populace ;  leaders  who 
only  wish  their  own  aggrandizement,  and  a  populace  who  join  in  every  new  revolu- 
tion— they  know  not  why. 

If  Iturbide  had  not  turned  against  the  Spanish  government,  and  accomplished  this 
revolution,  for  a  people  incapable  of  accomplishing  it  for  themselves ;  or,  if  he  had 
succeeded  in  keeping  his  position  on  the  throne  of  Mexico,  to  which  he  was  elevated ; 
or  if  he  had  been  able  to  have  regained  that  power,  and  ruled  the  people  again  as 
emperor,  then  the  condition  of  Mexico  would  have  been  fur  different  from  what  it  ia 
at  present 

The  death  of  Iturbide  was  a  most  unfortunate  event  for  the  nation  of  Mexico. — 
But,  reader,  we  will  not  weary  your  patience,  but  give  at  once  a  brief  notice  of  the  life 
of  Iturbide,  whose  name  is  now  held  by  all  the  nation  of  Mexico  in  the  highest  regard. 
— Iturbide  was  a  native  Mexican,  born  in  the  city  of  Valadolid.  He  entered  the  army 
early  in  life,  and  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Spanish  service  in  1810,  when  the  revolu- 
tion was  commenced  by  Hidalgo ; — he  fought  bravely  against  him  and  the  other  in- 
surgent leaders,  (robbers  would  be  a  more  appropriate  term),  and  with  great  success. 
He  retired  from  command  in  1816,  and  lived  a  private  life  for  four  years,  during 
which  time  the  revolutionary  movement  had  been  nearly  put  down,  and  the  only 
honest  leader  in  it,  General  Victoria,  had  left  it  hi  disgust,  and  retired  to  the  moun- 
tains as  a  hermit.  Guerrero  was  the  only  insurgent  chief  left  in  force,  and  he  had 
established  himself  near  Zacatula,  on  the  Pacific  coast. 

Iturbide  was  placed  in  command  of  a  strong  force,  by  the  Spanish  viceroy,  and  or- 
dered to  proceed,  by  a  little  town  called  Iguala,  and  take  possession  of  half  a  million 
dollars,  government  funds, there;  and  then  to  subdue  Guerrero, and  thus  restore  com- 
plete quiet  to  the  country,  so  long  torn  by  these  intestine  commotions. 

Iturbide  marched  in  February,  1821,  and  in  a  few  days  reached  the  village,  and 
took  possession  of  the  money ;  and  then,  seeing  the  opportunity  for  himself,  immedi- 
ately declared  the  independence  of  Mexico.  His  "  plan  "  is  called  from  that  village, 


CROSSING  THE  RIO  CORONA.  313 

becomes  quite  a  stream. — The  water  of  the  Rio  Corona  is  of 
the  most  remarkable  clearness  ; — no  distilled  water  could  be 
purer. — At  the  depth,  in  the  holes,  of  six  or  eight  feet,  a  peb- 
ble or  little  fish,  on  the  bottom,  could  be  seen  with  equal  dis- 
tinctness ; — they  appeared  as  though  they  were  in  the  air. 
The  clothes  of  the  infantry,  wet  in  fording  the  Padilla  this 
morning,  now,  as  they  came  to  this,  were  dry,  but  imme- 
diately to  be  wet  again. — This  river,  like  the  other,  took 
them  above  their  waists. — They  jumped  into  this  one  with 
no  reluctance,  for  the  day  had  been  very  hot,  and  the  water 
was  refreshing. — (This  continual  wetting  of  clothing,  and 

"  the  plan  of  Iguala."  It  was,  in  substance,  that  Mexico  should  be  an  independent 
empire  ;  and  that  the  crown  of  it  should  be  offered  to  the  king  of  Spain,  on  condi- 
tion that  he  should  reside  in  Mexico ;  and  if  he  refused,  then  to  the  princes  of  his 
family,  in  succession,  on  the  same  conditions ;  and  that  the  Roman  Catholic  religion 
should  be  supported ;  and  that  all  citizens,  whether  born  in  Spain  or  Mexico,  should 
be  equal. 

This  project,  like  all  new  ones  in  Mexico,  was  received  with  joy  by  the  people ; — 
the  revolutionists  declared,  that  was  all  they  were  fighting  for ;  and  Guerrero  and 
his  army  came  in  and  joined  Iturbide ;  and  General  Victoria,  the  purest  of  all  the 
revolutionists,  gave  his  heart  and  hand  to  it ;  thus  showing  that  it  was  not  for  a  re- 
public that  the  war  had  been  carried  on,  but  for  a  change  of  princes. 

The  whole  of  the  country  was  soon  in  the  possession  of  Iturbide's  forces.  The 
king  and  princes  of  Spain  refused  the  crown  upon  those  conditions,  saying  that  the 
country  already  belonged  to  them,  and  Iturbide  managed  to  have  himself  elected  em- 
peror, and  thus  ascended  the  throne  of  Mexico. — The  people  were  delighted,  and  the 
new  empire  of  Mexico  was  known  to  the  nations  of  the  earth. — He  reigned  ten 
months,  and  a  revolution  was  set  on  foot  by  a  young  officer,  Antonio  Lopez  de  Santa 
Anna,  who  raised  a  revolt  against  the  emperor,  and  commenced  this  revolution  in  fa- 
vor of  a  republican  form  of  government. 

The  emperor  sent  General  Echaviarri  against  Santa  Anna,  who  gained  some  advan- 
tages over  the  latter,  but  then  joined  with  him  in  the  revolt.  Other  officers  followed 
the  example,  and  Iturbide  abdicated  the  throne  and  went  to  Italy. — The  government 
was  changed  to  a  republic,  to  give  all  the  office  hunters  an  opportunity  for  spoil. 

In  the  meantime,  disorders  began  to  grow  more  numerous,  and  the  better  part  of 
the  population  seriously  wished  for  Iturbide's  return ;  and  arrangements  were  made 
by  his  friends,  for  that  purpose.  To  defeat  this,  the  new  government  passed  a 
decree  sentencing  Iturbide  to  death,  should  he  ever  again  land  in  the  repuo- 
lic.  Without  knowing  of  this  decree,  he,  on  July  8th,  1824,  landed  at  Soto  la  Ma- 
rina, some  fifty  miles  south-east  of  this  place,  Padilla ;  was  apprehended  and  taken  be- 
fore the  legislature  of  Tamaulipas,  then  in  session  here,  and,  in  accordance  with  the 
decree  passed  the  previous  April,  by  the  general  congress,  was  ordered  to  be  shot, 
which  sentence  was  carried  into  execution  on  the  19th  of  July,  1824.  The  repub- 
lic, in  its  formation,  went  on,  and  has  continued  since,  a  series  of  revolutions ;  and,  as 
said  before,  the  course  of  the  country  has  been  since  continually  downward. 


314  CAMP   AT   PvIO  CORONA. 

wearing  it  wet,  produced  no  bad  effect  upon  them ;  neither, 
at  the  end  of  the  day's  march,  now  that  they  had  become 
accustomed  to  it,  did  they  seem  any  more  fatigued  than  the 
cavalry  ;  and  they  had  more  time  to  rest  than  these,  having 
no  horses  to  take  care  of  at  night.) — This  crossing  was  ef- 
fected with  the  same  fun  and  noise  attending  the  other. — 
General  Patterson  stood  on  the  opposite  high  bank,  under 
the  shade  of  lofty  trees,  and,  looking  down  upon  them,  seem- 
ed to  enjoy  their  hilarity  and  sport. — (These  Illinoisans,  or 
"  suckers,"  as  they  are  often  called,  were  great  chaps  for  sol- 
diers ;  full  of  fun  and  life,  enduring  any  fatigue,  and  making 
sport  of  it ;  splendid  in  discipline  and  military  precision  of 
evolution;  and  afterwards,  when  occasion  required,  they 
fought  most  bravely). 

After  crossing  the  river,  we  encamped ;  the  wagons  came 
up,  and  we  got  our  little  corn  for  our  horses,  which  was 
not  enough  for  a  single  half  feed. — A  rancho  was  near, 
and  the  owner,  an  intelligent  Mexican,  had  plenty  of  it, 
and  each  man  of  the  cavalry  bought  for  his  own  horse; 
those  that  had  no  money,  borrowed  for  the  purpose. — Our 
horses  here,  too,  were  enabled  to  get  some  grass. — The  en- 
campment was  in  a  pretty  situation  :  a  long,  straight,  natu- 
ral avenue,  ran  out  from  the  river,  towards  the  rancho  and 
hill  beyond.  This  avenue  was  about  half  a  mile  long,  and 
a  hundred  yards  wide,  and  on  either  side  of  it  were  the  troops 
encamped ; — the  train  was  drawn  up  in  it. — The  general's 
marquee,  and  those  of  his  aids  and  staff,  were  pitched  on  the 
hill,  under  the  tall  rosewood  and  other  trees,  overlooking  the 
river. — Having  much  time  this  evening,  hundreds  of  the  boys 
devoted  it  to  washing  their  clothes  in  the  stream. — Length 
of  march  this  day,  nineteen  miles. 

January  4th.  We  were  awakened  by  the  reveille  earlier 
this  morning  than  usual. — The  moon  was  still  shining  bright- 
ly, and  by  its  aid  we  were  enabled  to  feed  our  horses,  lariat- 
ed round  in  the  chapparal,  without  so  much  risk  of  getting 
our  persons  covered  with  the  needles  of  the  bush-like  cactus, 
which  grew  in  large  quantities  around  the  encampment. — 
Breakfast  was  soon  disposed  of. — The  tents  of  our  company 
had  not  been  pitched,  for  all  had  spread  their  blankets  round 


CAPILLA   OR  CHURCH  OF   HACIENDA.  315 

in  the  moonlight,  and  had  had  a  fine  night's  sleep. — We  were 
on  the  march  before  daylight. — General  Patterson  was  a  great 
hand  for  taking  an  early  start,  and  had  us  moving  early  ev- 
ery morning.  This  was  worse  for  our  horses,  however ;  for 
we  had  noticed  the  truth  of  the  old  farmers'  saying,  that 
we  had  before  heard,  that  the  principal  time  for  a  horse  to 
sleep,  is  just  before  day. 

We  rode  to  the  river,  to  water  our  horses  before  starting. 
• — The  clearness  of  this  again  attracted  our  attention  ;  when 
our  horses  were  in  it,  looking  directly  down  upon  it,  one 
could  hardly  distinguish  the  surface,  by  the  bright  moon- 
light, save  where,  at  a  little  distance,  the  rays  were  reflected 
from  it  upwards.  We  had  before  seen  pure  water,  but  never 
a  stream  like  this. — The  road  lay,  for  a  mile  or  more,  up  the 
river. — Overhanging  both  sides,  was  a  most  luxuriant  growth 
of  timber,  of  kinds  new  to  us,  among  which  was  the  rosewood, 
a  large  tree,  beautiful  in  form,  with  thick  foliage,  and  with 
leaves  in  shape  resembling  those  of  the  rose-bush,  larger, 
however,  and  of  fresher,  deeper  green.  The  lignum-vitae, 
too,  was  plenty ;  ebony  was  abundant ;  while  the  musquit, 
here,  in  this  moistened  soil,  grew  large  ;  oaks,  the  first  that 
we  had  seen,  were  here,  but  they  were  of  a  species  unknown 
to  us.  They  were  large,  and  resembled  the  "  Spanish  oak." 
— Cypress  trees,  like  those  on  the  Mississippi  river,  grew 
large  along  the  stream. 

The  road  left  the  river,  and  took  its  former  course  south- 
west, and,  about  sunrise,  we  came  to  an  hacienda  (pron. 
ah-sc-en-d/ia),  with  a  large  extent  of  the  plain,  in  which 
we  had  now  entered,  enclosed  with  brush  fences,  and 
cultivated,  with  corn  and  cotton ;  many  fine  cattle  were 
around. — This  hacienda  was  not  very  large,  not  having 
houses  for  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  two  hun 
dred  laborers;  but  had,  as  all  large  ones  have,  its  church, 
(Capilla,  or  chapel  as  this  class  is  called). — In  these  officiate 
the  capillaries,  or  independent  priests,  who  are  employed  by 
the  owner  of  the  hacienda,  to  reside  there,  to  attend  to  the 
spiritual  necessities  of  the  peones,  who  thus  are  prevented 
from  losing  time  from  their  labors,  to  go  off  a  long  distance 
to  mass,  confession,  christening,  &c. — The  owner  of  the  haci- 


316  OFFICES  OF  THE  CAPILLAN  AT  A  HACIENDA. 

enda  gives  to  the  capillan  a  certain  sum  per  year  for  his  ser- 
vices, and  he  has  no  other  perquisites,  save  gifts.  He  can 
officiate  in  all  the  ordinances  of  the  church  save  burials  and 
marriages ;  these  the  curates,  or  next  order  of  priests  above 
him,  must  attend  to  ;  and  a  couple,  to  be  married,  must  go  to 
the  nearest  parochia,  or  church  in  which  there  is  a  curate  offi- 
ciating, to  have  the  ceremony  performed ;  or,  in  case  of  death, 
the  body  of  the  deceased  must  be  carried  to  the  same  paro- 
chia, to  have  the  funeral  service  pronounced,  and  thje  body 
buried  in  the  consecrated  ground, — no  matter  how  far  the  dis- 
tance, there  it  must  go. — Many  perquisites  from  these  things 
arise  to  the  curates,  but  the  capillan  receives  none  of  them. — He 
has  his  regular  service  to  perform  at  the  hacienda  where  he 
is  employed,  and  where  he  often  stays  for  years,  perhaps  for 
life ;  having  his  regular  salary,  and  his  board  in  la  casa  grande, 
or  owner's,  or  overseer's  mansion. — None  of  the  feast  days 
or  "functions"  of  the  church,  as  many  of  the  festivals  are 
called,  are  celebrated  at  the  capUlas — all  these  are  done  at 
the  parochias. — Nothing  ever  disturbs  the  tranquility  and 
regular  course  of  the  weekly  worship  at  the  captila,  save  the 
annual  coming  round  of  the  day  of  the  saint,  to  whom  the 
hacienda  is  consecrated,  for  protection  and  assistance  ;  and 
every  hacienda  must  have  such  a  patron  saint. — "When  his 
day  comes,  all  work  is  stopped,  and  a  great  festival  takes 
place  in  his  honor,  at  the  capilla. — As  all  other  haciendas,  so 
was  this  one ;  it  had  its  saint,  but  we  did  not  stop  to  inquire 
his  name. 

When  the  advance  of  cavalry  neared  the  hacienda,  the 
bell-ringer,  or  sacristan,  mounted  the  bells  on  the  capilla,  and 
upon  one,  began  a  peculiar  tolling,  at  slow  and  regular  inter- 
vals, which  was  continued  while  the  army  was  passing;  and 
while  we,  of  the  advance,  had  got  far  out  on  the  plain  be- 
yond, the  measured  tone  of  the  bell  came  after  us. — Many  of 
the  men  in  the  ranks,  seeing  that  there  were  no  persons  about 
the  church,  or  capilla,  concluded  that  the  bell  was  rung  in  ho- 
nor of,  and  as  a  compliment  to,  our  general  and  army  ;  and 
taking  it  so,  were  pleased  at  the  politeness  of  the  inhabi- 
tants, &c. ;  but  the  latter  meant  it  far  otherwise. — It  was  the 
slow  stroke  of  the  ceremony,  called  Nwcstro  Scnor  csta  patcnte; 


CEREMONY  OF  NUESTRA  SENOR  ESTA  PATENTE.     317 

or,  in  free  English,  "  Our  Lord  is  open  to  view,"  meaning 
that  the  "  host,"  or  consecrated  bread  of  the  sacrament — 
which,  by  Roman  Catholics,  is  believed  to  be  turned  into  the 
actual  body  of  Christ,  and  a  supply  of  which  is  always  kept 
in  all  the  churches,  of  every  grade,  cathedral,  parochia,  or 
capilla — is  placed  out  on  the  altar,  and  any  one  who  chooses, 
can  go  in  view  of  it,  and  thus,  seeing  the  actual  body  of 
Christ,  can  pray  directly  to  him,  to  save  them  from  some 
dreadful  calamity,  that  seems  impending  over  the  com- 
munity. When  a  severe  storm  seems  about  to  burst  over 
them,  the  host  is  put  out  on  the  altar,  or,  the  body  of  Christ 
is  exposed  to  view,  and  immediately  the  bell  is  struck  with 
this  peculiar,  solemn  note,  and  all  join  in  prayer  for  deliver- 
ance.— But  they  are  not  obliged  to  go  to  the  church,  to  look 
on  the  body  of  Christ,  to  do  this  ;  though  they  are  taught  that 
their  prayers  are  more  effectual  by  doing  so ;  but  wherever 
they  are,  in  the  house,  or  in  the  field,  when  this  repeated  note 
of  Nuestra  Seftor  esta  patcnte  falls  upon  their  ears,  they  must 
cross  themselves  and  pray,  either  to  the  Virgin  Mary,  by  an 
"  Ave-Maria  "  (a  short,  often  repeated  prayer),  or  else  every 
one  to  their  own  particular  saints,  upon  whose  days  they 
were  born  or  baptised. — All  must  continue  to  pray,  while  the 
regular  notes  of  the  bell  are  sounded. 

When  we,  therefore,  had  come  in  view  of  this  hacienda, 
the  bell  struck,  and  continued  at  this,  by  order  of  the  partic- 
ular capillan,  or  the  priest  of  the  hacienda  :  who  thought,  un- 
doubtedly, that  our  appearance  in  the  district  foretold  as 
heavy  a  calamity  as  could  fall  on  his  flock. — The  army  pass- 
ed directly  through,  not  stopping  or  interfering  with  them  in 
any  way ;  and  this  result,  undoubtedly,  was  attributed  by  them 
to  the  fervency  and  efficiency  of  their  prayers  to  the  body  of 
Christ,  the  Virgin  Mary,  and  to  the  numbers  of  saints  ad- 
dressed. 

Leaving  them  striking  their  bell,  and  praying  to  these 
saints,  &c.,  the  army  continued  its  course  towards  Victoria. 
— The  land  over  which  we  marched  was  very  fertile ; — the 
road  was  excellent. — The  tall  mountains  in  front,  that  had 
been  in  view  for  two  days,  seemed  apparently  to  heave  up 
their  massive  bodies  against  the  clouds,  more  huge  and  more 


318  ARRIVAL  AT  VICTORIA. 

high. — At  three,  P.  M.,  after  steady  marching  for  the  day,  we 
were  nearing  Victoria,  and  were  met  by  several  of  the  officers 
of  the  second  Tennessee  infantry,  of  the  division  which,  un- 
der General  Quitman,  had  taken  the  place  five  days  before. 
— They  informed  us  that  the  division  of  General  Taylor  had 
arrrived  from  Monterey  that  morning,  and  that  his  rear- 
guard had,  an  hour  or  two  before,  passed  through  town,  to- 
wards their  camp.  Another  mile  after  these  officers  met  us, 
brought  the  advance  in  view  of  the  plain  bounded  by  the 
mountains  which  overhung  the  city  of  Victoria ;  which,  from 
its  white  buildings  of  stone,  appeared  well  in  the  distance. 
— We  marched  on ;  came  near ;  passed  into  the  first  streets, 
while  the  house-tops  were  crowded  by  our  troops,  of  the 
other  divisions. — Marching  through  several  streets,  we  drew 
up  in  regular  order  in  the  plaza,  where  we  were  shortly  join- 
ed by  the  infantry ; — the  large  plaza  being  completely  filled 
up. — Here  we  halted  for  an  hour  or  two,  while  the  report  of 
our  arrival  was  sent  out  to  General  Taylor,  whose  camp  was 
some  distance  to  the  east  of  the  town,  and  whose  order  we 
awaited  for  the  position  of  our  encampment.  We  occupied 
part  of  the  time  of  our  halt  in  buying  oranges  and  other 
fruits,  which  were  brought  in  by  the  peones,  in  great  quanti- 
ties, to  sell ;  the  remainder,  in  observing  the  place. — The 
inhabitants  seemed  to  be  surprised  at  the  appearance  of  our 
column  ;  having  seen  that  of  General  Taylor  come  in  from 
the  north-west,  and  so  soon  followed  by  ours  from  the  north- 
east. 

We  left  the  town,  and  proceeding  to  the  eastward,  a  little 
over  a  mile,  encamped  on  a  creek  of  clear  water ;  one  of  the 
tributaries  of  the  Santander. — We  were  now  here  at  Vic- 
toria, and  the  whole  disposable  strength  of  the  army  was 
collected  here ;  but  the  enemy  had  fallen  back,  on  the  ap- 
proach of  Quitman,  towards  Tula,  still  farther  to  the  south- 
west.— We  found  that  General  Taylor  had  been  delayed  in 
his  advance,  by  reason  of  his  receiving  a  dispatch  from  Gen- 
eral Worth,  at  Saltillo,  informing  him  that  the  enemy  were 
advancing  upon  him,  on  the  other  side  of  the  mountains  from 
Victoria. — General  Taylor,  with  his  regulars,  of  Twiggs'  di- 
vision, immediately  retraced  his  steps  to  Monterey,  to  go 


SCENE   OF    VICTORIA  AND   THE   CAMP.  321 

to  Worth's  assistance ;  but,  at  that  place,  he  received  an- 
other dispatch  from  the  same  general,  informing  him  that 
General  Wool's  army  had  reinforced  him,  coming  in  from 
Parras  to  Salttllo ;  and  that,  moreover,  the  enemy  was  not 
advancing,  having  recalled  his  parties  of  observation. — Gen- 
eral Taylor  immediately  took  the  route  for  Victoria  again, 
and  arrived  there  at  this  date,  as  said  before. — Distance 
marched  by  us  this  day,  twenty-seven  miles. 

January  1th.  For  three  days  now,  we  had  remained  in  the 
camp  that  we  first  pitched  on  our  arrival  at  this  place.  It 
was  close  by  the  running,  rocky  brook,  up  and  down  which 
the  other  divisions  were  encamped. — A  high  ledge  of  rock 
rose  on  the  opposite  side  of  this  branch,  overlooking  the 
camp,  the  whole  plain,  and  the  city ;  the  view  being  bound- 
ed by  the  mountains. — From  this  eminence  the  author  took 
a  sketch  of  the  view  below  and  before  him,  which  may  be 
seen  on  the  opposite  page ;  and  as,  reader,  you  wish  to  un- 
derstand the  position  of  Victoria,  and  the  camps,  in  relation 
to  each  other,  imagine  yourself  seated  on  this  bluff,  and  ob- 
serve the  scenes  before  you. 

Allow  the  author,  in  the  first  place,  to  introduce  to  your  no- 
tice this  sentinel,  who  is  placed  on  this  commanding  position, 
for  the  double  purpose  of  acting  as  ordinary  guard  to  the  camp, 
and  of  preventing  any  of  the  men  from  leaving  it  with  their 
guns,  which  has  been  expressly  forbidden  by  General  Patter- 
son ;  because  that,  yesterday,  many  men,  of  the  infantry  and 
cavalry,  went  out  over  these  hills  to  the  neighboring  ranches, 
and  killed  some  beeves,  which  here  are  of  but  little  value 
though  fine  for  eating. — For  this  purpose  is  the  sentinel  pla- 
ced here  so  high. — He  is  an  Illinoisan,  and  a  very  clever  fel- 
low.— He  has  just  been  considering  whether  the  large  hol- 
ster pistol, — which  the  author  has  taken  with  him,  when  as- 
cending the  height  to  sketch,  (not  having  heard  the  order), 
and  which  shoots  as  hard  as  a  musket,  and  carries  nearly  as 
large  a  ball, — is  a  gun,  within  the  scope  of  his  orders,  or 
not ; — but  he,  as  well  as  the  sergeant  of  the  guard,  who  has 
stationed  him  here,  and  who,  with  his  file  of  men,  has  just 
passed  down  the  side  of  the  hill,  have  concluded  that  al- 
though it  is  a  "  shooting  iron,"  that  they  think  would  be  as 
21 


322  SCENE  OF  CAMP  AT  VICTORIA. 

deadly  in  its  effect  upon  either  Mexican  man  or  Mexican  ox, 
that  stood  before  it,  as  a  carbine  or  musket,  yet  that  it  is  not 
a  gun; — and  they  were  only  ordered  to  arrest  those  who  went 
out  with  guns  ;  and  so  they  have  let  the  author  remain  undis- 
turbed in  his  drawing. — This  Mexican,  that  you  see  speaking 
to  the  sentinel,  having  in  his  hand  a  lariat,  (which  it  is  not 
usual  for  them  to  carry  around  in  their  hands),  and  a  large 
pair  of  spurs  on  his  heels,  says  that  he  came  up  here  to  look 
over  the  plain  for  a  loose  cabdlo  (^ro.ka-vi-yah] — horse. — He 
is  very  polite  ;  but  the  sentinel  thinks  that  he  is  only  here,  to 
see  if  there  is  a  chance  below  to  steal  one ;  and  he  is  telling 
him  to  vamos  (be  off). — Two  feet  beyond  these  men,  reader, 
is  the  edge  of  the  precipice,  which  falls  off  perpendicularly 
perhaps  a  hundred  and  fifty  feet.  You  see  the  creek,  or  little 
river,  running  along  over  its  rocky  bed; — beyond  this,  on  the 
right,  you  observe  the  camps  of  the  two  Illinois  regiments 
of  infantry  :  you  see  the  men  drawn  out  on  parade. — The 
camp  on  the  left,  with  the  chapparal  between  it  and  the 
river,  is  that  of  our  regiment ;  but  the  men  are  drawn 
up  in  solid  square  beyond. — The  wagon  train  that  accom- 
panied our  division  from  Matamoras,  you  perceive  in  its  reg- 
ular lines  :  they  look  like  a  considerable  number  ;  but  could 
you  see  them  strung  out  on  the  march,  you  would  suppose 
that  number  to  be  greater  than  it  really  is. — Between  the 
train  and  the  tents  of  our  regiment,  you  can  observe  the 
crowds  around  the  commissaries,  who  are  issuing  the  rations. 
— In  front  of  the  regiment  of  cavalry,  as  they  are  drawn  out 
there,  you  see  the  marquee  of  General  Patterson,  and  those 
of  his  aids.  General  Pillow's  is  within  the  chapparal,  and 
is  hid  from  view. — You  see  a  wagon,  by  the  general's 
tent :  that  is  but  one ;  but  these  generals,  when  on  the  march, 
have  more : — General  Patterson  has  three  for  himself  and 
staff — about  half  a  dozen  persons  ;  and  General  Pillow  two ; 
a  colonel  one  ; — while  one  has  to  serve  two  companies  of  sol- 
fliers — from  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  men. — It 
is  a  great  thing  to  be  an  officer  here. 

You  can't  understand  how  a  general  and  his  staff  could 
lill  three  large  four-horse  wagons  with  movables,  when 
on  the  march ;  but  if  you  could  be  present  at  the  general's 


SCENE   AT   VICTORIA.  323 

quarters,  on  encamping  at  night,  you  would  be  surprised  at 
the  amount  of  kitchen  furniture,  (enough  for  a  good-sized 
hotel),  bags,  vegetables,  champaign  baskets,  and  cases  of 
bottles  ;  carpet  bags,  mattresses,  bedding,  trunks,  &c.,  taken 
out. — You  would  think  of  prairie  wagons  loaded  for  Oregon. 

Over  the  wagon  train,  to  the  right,  you  perceive  two  wa- 
gons going  towards  town. — They  are  part  of  a  large  number 
that  go  in  every  day,  to  bring  corn  for  our  horses ;  which 
General  Taylor  has  obliged  the  alcaldes  of  the  town  to  have 
brought  in  from  the  country  around. — He  has  also  required 
them  send  to  us,  daily,  as  much  fodder  as  our  horses  can  eat. 
— General  Taylor  is  the  one,  after  all.  If  we  had  been  un- 
der him,  on  the  route  from  Matamoras  to  this  place,  we  should 
not  have  been  compelled  to  buy  our  own  corn,  when  there  was 
plenty  at  the  ranches. — We  have  enough  now,  and  to  spare ; 
and  our  horses  are  getting  on  finely. — Over  the  body  of  cav- 
alry, towards  the  town,  you  see  first  the  stone  wall  of  the 
cemetery  or  consecrated  burial-ground ;  campo  santo  (sacred 
ground)  the  Mexicans  call  it.  There  are  many  fine  tombs  and 
much  ornamented  stone-work  over  the  dead  there  ;  but  these 
are  all  too  small  to  be  seen  at  this  distance.  Every  one  that 
dies  in  the  town,  or  anywhere  around  in  the  country,  is  bu- 
ried there  ;  for  they  could  not  rest  in  peace  elsewhere. — 
The  curate,  or  priest  of  the  church,  makes  the  friends  or  fam- 
ily of  the  deceased  pay  for  the  privilege  pretty  highly,  how- 
ever :  the  price  being  four  dollars,  for  a  place  near  the  gate  ; 
and  higher,  then,  as  the  distance  back  increases.  The  most 
favored  and  highest  priced  situations  for  graves,  are  near  the 
back  wall ;  as  these  run  back,  from  ten  up  even  as  high  as 
one  hundred  dollars,  are  paid  for  them. 

Beyond  this  cemetery,  on  the  next  hill,  you  see  one  end  of 
the  town  of  Victoria,  with  its  white  buildings  of  tunastatc  rock. 
— The  town  is  much  larger  than  you  would  think,  from  the 
view  in  this  direction ;  for  it  runs  up  along  the  creek,  back  to- 
wards the  mountains,  for  more  than  a  mile  ;  all  this  is  rather 
down  a  slope,  and  is  concealed  from  your  view ;  you  look  on 
the  narrow  end. — It  contains  about  eight  thousand  inhabitants. 
The  streets  cross  each  other  at  right  angles. — The  houses  are 
built  of  one  story,  principally,  though  many  are  of  two. — 


324  THE  CITY  OF  VICTORIA. 

The  plaza  is  large  and  level,  as  the  whole  town  appears 
to  be,  when  you  are  in  it ;  the  streets  are  wide  and 
clean;  the  sidewalks  broad,  and  paved  with  flag-stones. — 
The  buildings  are  all  in  the  Mexican,  or  old  Spanish  style ; 
the  roofs  flat,  of  stone,  and  parapet  walls*  of  the  same 
material  around. — The  church,  or  parochia,  is  a  very  pretty 
and  neatly  ornamented  building,  on  the  plaza. — There  are 
many  stores  in  the  town,  but  everything  of  foreign  manufac- 
ture is  of  high  price,  especially  glass  and  china-ware ;  for 
instance,  the  cheapest  sort  of  plain  glass  tumblers,  cost  cinco 
reales  (sixty-two  and  a  half  cents),  each. — This  is  on  account 
of  the  risk  of  breakage,  in  transporting  the  articles  on  the 
backs  of  mules  so  far,  coupled  with  the  high  duties  on  glass, 
which  are  computed  by  the  pound ;  and,  on  account  of  the 
high  price,  but  few  articles  of  this  material  are  used  by  the 
common  classes. 

If  you  wish  to  take  a  nearer  peep  at  the  town,  imagine 
yourself  over  there,  beyond  the  cemetery  seen  in  the 
view,  and  at  the  edge  of  the  place. — When  there,  you  arrive 
at  an  old,  ruined  monument,  originally  put  up  in  honor  of 
General  Victoria,  after  whom  the  town  is  named — for  it  is 
not  a  place  of  old  date. — From  this  monument  you  can  see 
directly  down  one  of  the  principal  streets  of  the  town  more 
than  a  mile,  perhaps  a  mile  and  a  half,  towards  the  moun- 
tain ;  which  here  appears  to  rise  in  a  most  threatening  man- 
ner, high  over  the  town. — On  looking  down  this  street,  you 
observe  many  houses,  mostly  built  of  adobes,  or  large  tin- 
burnt  bricks,  or  else  of  musquit  poles,  each  with  its  little 
yard  in  the  foreground.  These  yards  are  crowded  with  na~ 
ranjas,  or  orange,  and  lemon  trees,  filled  with  blooms,  green 
and  ripe  fruits,  at  the  same  time  ;  many  other  trees  and  rich 
flowers  are  here,  too ;  and  in  many  of  the  yards  you  see 
enormous  plants  of  the  maguey  (see  plate,  page  381). — Let 
us  pass  along  the  street,  peep  into  the  yards  and  rough 


*  These  parapet  walls,  often  mentioned,  the  reader  will  understand  to  be  stone 
walls,  which  rise  around  the  top  of  the  house,  commonly  about  four  feet ;  are  often 
pierced  with  long,  narrow  loop-holes,  through  which  to  fire  musketry  into  the  street 
below; — this  was  the  case  at  Monterey. — Every  Mexican  house  of  the  better  order  is 
built  with  them. 


HOUSES  OF  THE  PEONES.  325 

houses  on  either  hand. — You  see  women,  in  abundance, 
there,  dressed  as  has  been  before  described,  and  employed 
in  washing,  grinding,  or  rather  mashing  soaked  corn,  on 
flat  stones,  called  mctates. — Those  at  this  employment  are 
all  on  their  knees ;  and  with  a  long,  four-sided  stone,  or 
pestle,  held  in  both  hands,  they  mash  and  rub  the  soaked 
corn  into  a  paste,  to  make  their  tortillas,  or  flat  cakes ;  some- 
what resembling,  in  shape  and  appearance,  our  common 
buckwheat  cakes,  though  not  so  thick. — These  houses  and 
yards,  in  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  are  not  very  cleanly,  or 
attractive  to  the  eye. — Crowded  in  them,  are  any  quantity 
of  children ;  some  half-dressed,  others  not  dressed  at  all ; 
with  many  dogs,  of  every  size ;  some  of  them  dark  colored, 
with  no  hair. 

Do  you  wish  a  closer  view  of  the  inside  of  one  of  these 
rough  houses? — if  so,  step  into  one. — Pass  through  the  rough 
gate  in  the  crooked  stick  fence. — The  naked,  dirty  children  on 
the  ground,  look  at  you  with  alarm ;  the  surly  dogs  growl  at 
your  appearance ;  but  they  are  driven  away  by  the  woman, 
who,  rising  from  her  kneeling  position,  at  the  metate,  comes 
forward  with  great  politeness,  and  offers  you  a  chair,  as  you 
step  within  the  door ;  that  is,  if  she  has  one,  which  is  by  no 
means  universal.  If  one  is  offered,  you  find  it  is  rude,  with  a 
bottom  of  raw  hide. — The  women  are  all  dirty,  but  exceed- 
ingly polite,  as  well  as  the  men,  who  are  squatted  round,  with 
their  blankets  over  their  shoulders. — You  observe  in  the  house 
a  rough  bed,  consisting  of  a  wool  mattress,  one  or  two  stools, 
and  some  coarse  pictures  of  saints,  around  on  the  walls. — On 
the  hard  dirt  floor,  is  a  collection  of  various  kinds  of  rubbish ; 
and  perhaps  some  corn  in  the  corner.  You  will  not  wish  to 
stay  long,  nor  is  it  advisable,  in  this  class  of  habitation,  for 
you  might  perhaps,  carry  away  with  you  some  disagreeable 
customers. — Now,  see  these  people  next  Sunday,  in  the 
street,  and  you  would  think  them  scrupulously  neat. 

Proceeding  on,  we  see  many  Mexicans  in  the  street ;  some 
are  driving  in  a  jackass  or  two,  loaded  with  little  bags  of  char- 
coal ;  others  have  baskets  of  peloncillas,  or  small  loaves  of 
sugar,  others  large  baskets  of  naranjas,  or  oranges  ;  while 
others  are  driving  horses  or  mules,  with  quarters  of  bloody 


326  SCENES   IN  VICTORIA. 

beef  on  them,  with  so  much  weight  on  a  mule,  that  he  can 
hardly  stand  under  it ;  these  are  going  to  the  market-house. 
— Further  on  we  will  come  to  one  of  these. — You  will  ob- 
serve, that  the  meat  is  cut  up  into  thin  steaks  and  long  strips; 
that  which  is  not  sold,  will  be  hung  up  in  the  sun,  and  dried, 
without  salt ;  for  the  air  is  pure,  and  dries  it  hard ; — in  this 
state  it  is  sure  to  find  purchasers — being  used  by  travelers, 
muleteers,  peones,  &c. — Around  the  market,  you  may  see 
many  of  these  latter,  wrapped  in  their  horongos,  looking  lazy 
and  dirty,  while  the  women,  covered  with  their  rebosos,  are 
stepping  rapidly  about. 

As  we  approach  the  plaza,  the  rude  buildings  and  musquit 
fences  give  way  to  solid  stone  edifices,  with  interior  courts ; 
some  having  court  and  garden  enclosed  by  high,  cemented 
stone  walls,  above  the  top  of  which  the  orange  trees  rise. — 
The  buildings  have  but  few  windows,  and  these  are  per- 
pendicularly barred  with  iron. — Here  may  be  seen  some 
women,  of  the  higher  class, — neither  reading,  writing,  or 
sewing — doing  nothing,  but  looking  on  the  street. — There  are 
not  many,  however,  for  most  of  these  houses  have  been  left 
by  the  inhabitants,  as  our  forces  approached. 

On  the  side-walks,  you  may  meet  many  Mexican  gentle- 
men, some  dressed  like  ourselves  ;  others  in  their  own  man- 
ner, with  calzones,  calzoncillas,  sombreros,  and  scrapes.  They 
converse  at  the  corners  of  the  streets,  and  occasionally  smile, 
but  never  laugh  aloud  :  it  would  be  a  curiosity  to  hear  such  a 
thing  among  them. 

Stand  at  the  corner  of  the  plaza,  and  observe  the  crowd 
of  all  those  described  pass  you  continually ; — step  into  one 
of  the  stores,  and  look  at  the  women,  who  come  to  get  can- 
dles, soap,  and  various  other  things,  for  which  they  pay  their 
picayunes,  and  carry  off  the  articles  bought,  under  their  re- 
bosos ;*  and  after  having  gazed  long  enough  at  the  motley 
throng  that  pass  and  repass  continually,  let  us  return  to  our 
first  place,  on  the  ledge  mentioned  before,  over  Gen.  Patter- 
son's camp,  in  the  foreground  of  the  picture. 

•As  the  men  of  the  peon  class  use  their  horongos  for  a  covering  by  day  and  a  bed 
by  night,  so  the  women  of  the  same  class  use  their  rebosos  for  various  purposes :  to 
cover  their  heads  during  the  day  ;  for  part  of  their  bed  clothing  at  night ;  for  a  towel 
occasionally,  and  even  for  a  basket  in  which  to  carry  small  articles. 


MOUNTAINS   AT   VICTORIA.  327 

On  the  left  of  this  view  you  will  see,  in  the  distance, 
two  large  fields,  of  a  lighter  color  than  the  adjoining  chap- 
paral.  These  are  of  sugar-cane,  which  is  luxuriant,  and 
rich  in  juice. — Beyond  these,  over  the  hill,  is  Gen.  Quit- 
man's  camp,  which  cannot  be  seen  from  here  ; — most  of  his 
force  is  over  there,  part  being  in  the  town  as  the  garrison. 
He  has  there,  in  camp,  the  first  and  second  Tennessee,  the 
Mississippi  and  Georgia  regiments,  and  the  Baltimore  batta- 
lion.— General  Taylor's  camp,  of  Twiggs'  command  of  regu- 
lar infantry,  artillery,  and  dragoons,  is  to  the  right  of  the 
whole  view,  a  mile  farther  down  this  creek  ; — the  road  to  it 
from  town,  runs  down  on  the  other  side  of  the  little  hill  of 
chapparal  you  see  on  the  right  of  the  picture.  (On  to  this 
hill,  in  a  day  or  two  after  this,  was  the  camp  of  our  division 
moved ;  and  a  farther  change  took  place,  in  one  of  the  Illinois 
regiments  going  up  to  Gen.  Quitman,  and  the  two  Tennessee 
coming  down  to  us ;  so  that  Gen.  Pillow's  brigade  of  the 
three  Tennessee  regiments,  were  together,  for  the  first  time 
during  the  campaign,  and  we  continued  together  after  this 
for  a  month  or  two,  then  separated  at  Tampico,  and  were  re- 
united at  Vera  Cruz  ;  separated  again  there  ;  reunited  again 
at  Jalap  a). 

Now,  reader,  having  observed  the  camp,  the  town,  and 
other  objects,  look  beyond,  at  the  range  of  mountains  ;  see 
how  ragged  their  sides,  how  deep  their  chasms,  how  terrible 
their  precipices.  No  road,  in  that  direction,  lies  over  them ; 
one  winds  to  the  left  from  the  town,  and  after  following  their 
base  many  miles,  enters  the  Tula  pass,  and  runs  on  toward 
San  Luis  Potosi; — it  is  but  a  small  track,  and  cannot  be 
passed  by  wagons  or  artillery.  You  observe  the  largest 
mountain  in  front. — It  appears  as  though  it  was  easy  to  as- 
cend; but  it  is  extremely  difficult. — Some  of  our  boys  start- 
ed yesterday  morning,  before  daylight,  to  ascend  it ; — they 
toiled  on,  and,  at  twelve  o'clock,  kindled  a  fire,  to  show 
us  how  high  they  had  gone; — they  were  not  halfway  up. 
They  persevered,  reached  the  top  in  the  afternoon,  and  got 
back  to  camp  in  the  course  of  the  night;  and  to-day  are  all 
asleep,  worn  out — and  their  curiosity  is  satisfied. 

On  the  peaks  that  you  see  on  the  left,  have,  each  night, 


328  MOUNTAINS  AT  VICTORIA. 

been  signal  fires  lit  up  by  the  Mexicans,  to  give  notice  of  our 
movements.  These  would  blaze  a  while,  then  be  extin- 
guished ;  then  re-kindled  ;  and  by  such  movements,  precon- 
certed, they  were  enabled  rapidly,  from  mountain  peak  to 
mountain  peak,  along,  to  convey  all  intelligence  gained  each 
night,  to  Santa  Anna.  Our  men  do  not  like  these  fires  ;  but 
in  the  night  stand  at  their  tents  and  gaze  at  them,  as  they 
gleam  far  up  the  mountain,  and  wish  to  get  at  them  ;  but 
that  would  be  a  difficult  task,  and  not  worth  the  trouble. 
Some  of  the  infantry,  yesterday,  on  a  scout  in  the  ravines  at 
the  base  of  the  mountains,  surprised  a  small  party  of  Mexi- 
can soldiers,  killed  two  or  three,  and  took  a  few  mules,  load- 
ed with  ammunition. 

Those  little  hills  which  appear  at  the  foot  of  the  moun- 
tains, and  seem  so  small,  are  of  much  magnitude ;  and 
would  so  appear  but  for  the  towering  mountains  far  above 
them.  These  now  look  grand  and  imposing ;  but,  reader, 
to  see  them  in  the  morning,  as  the  rising  sun  brings  into 
bright  relief  their  ridges  and  precipices,  and  throws  into 
shadows  those  chasms  and  recesses,  tinting  all  exposed  to  its 
rays  with  a  golden,  rosy  hue,  while  the  white,  fleecy  clouds 
roll  up  their  vast  sides,  then,  indeed,  the  scene  is  beautiful  and 
striking. — One  could  stand  for  hours  and  gaze  upon  their 
majestic  appearance,  and  lose  himself  in  thought  and  con- 
templation of  their  grandeur  and  vastness. 

January  llth.  We  had  now  been  at  Victoria  a  week  ;  had 
visited  again  and  again  all  parts  of  the  town ;  attended  their 
churches,  fandangos,  and  all  public  places  ;  got  acquainted 
with  many  of  the  principal  inhabitants ;  visited  continually 
the  different  regiments  in  Gen.  Quitman's  camp,  above,  and 
also  in  Gen.  Taylor's,  below;  made  many  excursions  to  the 
ranches  in  the  neighborhood,  and  run  around  much ; — had 
drilled,  stood  guard,  and,  as  usual,  many  had  employed  them- 
selves in  gambling,  both  in  town  and  camp.  The  Mexicans 
joined  in  this  as  freely  as  our  men ;  in  the  town  all  crowded 
together,  the  Mexican  in  his  horongo  and  the  American  in 
his  uniform,  around  the  roulette,  rondo,  or  billiard  tables ;  (for 
in  every  town  we  took  were  fine  billiard  rooms),  or  else 


APPEARANCE  OF   GEN.  TAYLOR.  329 

around  the  banks  of  faro  or  chuck-a-luck,  of  which  last  there 
were  many  in  the  streets  ;  all  bet  freely. 

If  a  Mexican  won,  he  did  not  exult;  if  he  lost  his  last 
quartitta,  (a  silver  coin  worth  half  a  picayune),  he  showed  no 
emotion  of  regret,  or  change  of  countenance.  Some,  who 
came  in  from  the  country,  with  loads  of  oranges  or  sugar 
loaves,  lost  all  they  had  received  for  them,  but  said  not  a 
word. — As  a  people,  they  are  far  less  excitable  than  our  race. 

Our  time,  in  such  a  collected  army,  among  so  many,  and, 
for  the  first  time,  seeing  those,  of  whom,  in  the  events  of  the 
war  before,  we  had  heard  so  much,  passed  agreeably  and 
quickly. 

As  might  be  expected,  every  one  was  anxious  to  see  Gen. 
Taylor,  not  having  had  the  opportunity  of  meeting  him  before ; 
but  many  met  him  now  several  times  before  they  knew 
him,  for  he  looked  so  plain  and  unassuming. —  He  is  a  full 
shaped  man,  not  over  large, but  thick  set,  inclining  to  corpu- 
lency ; — has  a  full,  double  chin,  a  very  pleasant  countenance, 
full  of  good  humor,  and  has  none  of  the  pomp  and  show  of 
power  and  dignity  about  him,  of  which  many  of  his  inferior 
officers  possess  so  much.*  The  author  never  saw  him  with 
his  uniform  on,  for  he  was  commonly  dressed  in  citizens' 
clothing  of  brown  color.  He  rode  about  at  Victoria,  some- 
times on  a  small  Mexican  horse,  and  sometimes  on  a  very 
pretty  mule,  of  a  yellowish  color,  and  with  an  easy  gait. — 
An  anecdote  is  related  in  camp  of  him  ;  it  is  this  : 

He  was  riding  this  horse,  one  day  in  that  week,  along  the 

*  As  a  general  rule,  this  feeling,  and  continued  exhibition  of  it,  among  the  officers, 
was  in  an  inverse  proportion  to  their  rank ;  that  is,  General  Taylor,  at  the  head  of 
the  army,  had  the  least ;  then  it  increased  as  the  rank  fell  in  grade,  until  it  came  down 
to  captains,  and  from  them  to  lieutenants ;  by  many  of  whom  it  was  continually  shown, 
in  a  manner  as  simple  in  itself,  as  it  was  unpleasant  and  disgusting  to  those  whom 
fortune  had  placed  under  their  command  for  the  time  being: — and  the  dignity  of  some 
of  the  quartermasters  and  commissaries  was  beyond  all  comprehension  !  But,  reader 
do  not  suppose  that  this  applies  to  all  the  officers  of  the  grade  spoken  of,  or  to  one- 
half,  or  even  one-third  of  them ;  but  it  applies  to  enough. — The  author  bears  willing 
testimony  to  the  upright,  the  officer-like  and  courteous  bearing,  of  the  great  majority 
of  them  during  the  varied  scenes  of  the  campaign ; — a  course  that  not  only  secured 
to  them  the  respect,  esteem,  and  obedience  of  the  men  under  them  then,  but  also  for 
their  future  lives,  the  kindly  feelings,  and  good  wishes  of  all  for  their  welfare. 


330  SWAPPING  HORSES   WITH  GENERALS. 

road  that  passed  through  our  second  encampment,  on  the 
hill  of  chapparal,  (seen  on  the  right  of  the  picture),  when 
one  of  the  men,  liking  the  looks  of  the  animal,  and  not 
knowing  the  general,  neither  dreaming  of  his  rank,  called  to 
him  as  he  passed  along  :  "Hallo,  stranger,  how  will  you  swap 
that  pony  for  this  horse ;"  at  the  same  time  slapping  his  own 
horse  on  the  back. — The  general  stopped,  and  with  a  smile 
replied,  "  that  he  did  not  care  about  swapping ;  that  the  pony 
was  a  favorite  of  his."  At  this  time  the  general's  orderly, 
or  attendant,  in  uniform,  rode  up"  and  stopped  behind. 

Seeing  him,  the  suspicions  of  the  man  who  had  addressed 
the  general  were  in  an  instant  aroused,  as  to  whom  he  was 
speaking ; — his  face  flushed,  and  he  became  confused  ;  and 
another  telling  him,  at  the  same  moment,  that  it  was  General 
Taylor,  he  asked  his  pardon. — The  general  smiled,  and  told 
him  that  it  was  no  harm ; — asked  him  a  half  a  dozen  ques- 
tions about  our  long  march  from  Tennessee; — told  him  that 
he  had  come  from  a  state  of  brave  men  and  good  soldiers,  &c., 
&c.,  and  then  rode  on,  followed  by  his  orderly. — In  those  few 
moments,  he  had  obtained  the  perpetual  good  will  of  that 
soldier,  which  he  will  carry  with  him  through  life,  and  the 
same  of  all  those  who  saw  it. 

Another  anecdote  of  horse-swapping  with  generals,  that 
is  repeated  in  camp  : — It  is  said,  that  a  man  of  one  of  our 
companies,  a  few  days  since,  while  on  the  march,  fell  in  love 
with  the  appearance  of  General  Patterson's  black  horse — a 
fine  animal.  He,  having  himself  a  noble  horse,  rode  near 
the  general,  and  the  following  words  were  passed  :  "  Good 
morning,  general." — That  officer  looked  round  at  him,  with 
an  air  of  disturbed  dignity  ;  but  the  man,  not  perceiving  that, 
continued  :  "A  fine  horse,  that  black  that  you  ride,  general.". 
No  reply,  as  yet. — "  General,  how  would  you  swap  him  for 
this  one  ?" — The  general  turned  his  head  round  the  other 
way,  and,  in  a  gruff  voice,  ordered  his  guard  to  "  take  that 
man  under  arrest ;"  which  was  immediately  done,  to  his 
utter  consternation. — As  he  saw  his  predicament,  and  not 
knowing  how  long  he  might  be  kept  arrested,  amid  the  sup- 
pressed laughter  of  all  near,  he  called  out:  "Well,  general, 
if  you  won't  swap  horses,  you  will  let  me  have  something  to 


GEN.  TWIGGS'   APPEARANCE.  331 

eat,  by  and  by, — won't  you?" — And  continued  to  his  attend- 
ants, who  were  taking  him  off,  still  in  the  general's  hearing  : 
— "  Why,  the  general  is  a  fool ;  he  did  not  know  but  that  1 
would  have  given  him  fifty  dollars  to  boot." — But  the  gen- 
eral had  been  taken  by  surprise  ;  and,  after  a  few  moments' 
further  ride,  his  countenance  assumed  a  smile,  and  he  sent 
an  order  back  for  the  man's  release,  to  his  infinite  gratifica- 
tion ;  but  he  tried  no  more  to  get  possession  of  the  black 
horse. 

As  we  are  on  these  anecdotes,  in  which  our  generals  are 
concerned,  we  will  give  a  little  one  with  regard  to  General 
Twiggs'  appearance. — Twiggs  is  a  man  somewhat  advanced 
in  years  ;  of  a  large  body  ;  full,  round,  red  face  ;  heavy  whis- 
kers and  moustachios  :  but  these  are  all  white,  or  nearly 
so. — Of  course  he  had,  when  first  seen,  a  singular  appear- 
ance.— Yesterday,  he  was  coming  along  the  road,  through 
our  encampment,  going  down  to  General  Taylor's. — Two  of 
the  men  of  our  company,  by  name  Dyer  and  Dresser,  who 
had  never  seen  the  general,  started  towards  their  horses,  tied 
a  hundred  yards  or  more  down  the  road. — Dyer  had  a  large 
bag  of  corn  on  his  shoulder,  to  feed  them;  while  Dresser  had 
two  heavy  bundles  of  fodder. — They  saw  General  Twiggs 
coming  up  towards  them :  they  caught  a  view  of  his  red 
face,  and  white  whiskers  and  moustachios,  long  and  bushy. 
— As  if  frightened,  they  suddenly  stopped ;  looked  quickly 
at  one  another,  and  at  him  again ; — he  was  coming  nearer. 
— With  a  look  of  the  greatest  alarm,  Dyer  dropped  his  bag 
of  corn  in  the  road,  and  ran  with  all  his  speed  back ;  while 
Dresser  hesitated  a  moment,  looked  again,  then  dropped  his 
fodder,  and  cleared  after  him. — Both  ran  up  the  road,  look- 
ing back  over  their  shoulders,  with  the  same  appearance  of 
alarm. — General  Twiggs,  seeing  this,  was  much  annoyed ; 
and  his  countenance  was  of  higher  color. — He  came  in 
view  of  them  again,  as  they  had  stopped  at  the  lower  tent 
in  the  company  line. — As  soon  as  he  appeared,  they  ran 
up  to  the  head  of  the  line  ;  and  all  eyes  were  upon  them 
and  the  general. — As  he  still  came  nearer,  with  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  utmost  fear,  they  dashed  head  foremost  into 
the  thorny  chapparal,  and  hid  themselves  in  its  thickets.- — 


332  SUDDEN  NORTHER. 

The  general's  face,  as  he  saw  all  this,  was  more  red  than 
ever ;  while  he  passed  by,  with  a  bow  to  those  who  were 
standing  spectators  of  the  curious  scene. 

During  the  week  past,  we  had  been  unable  to  conjecture 
anything  correctly,  with  regard  to  our  future  movements ; 
for  General  Taylor  kept  his  designs  to  himself.  Much  desire 
was  shown,  among  the  men,  to  go  forward  to  the  "  Tula 
pass," — a  strong  point  about  forty  miles  to  the  south-west, — 
and  attack  the  large  Mexican  force  there  stationed ;  and  it 
was  thought  that  preparations  were  making  for  such  a  move- 
ment ;  but  nothing  definite  could  be  ascertained. 

Yesterday  morning,  a  norther  came  down  upon  us.  These 
were  always  cold  on  the  low  lands  of  the  coast,  but  up  here 
in  the  mountains  much  colder ;  and  the  temperature,  at  once, 
changed  from  what  it  had  been,  of  uncomfortable  heat,  to 
freezing  cold.  The  last  night,  water  froze  nearly  a  quarter 
of  an  inch  thick ;  and  the  change,  so  sudden,  chilled  us 
through. — Yesterday,  all  were  wrapped  in  their  blankets,  "  a 
la  Mexicana ;"  and  many,  and  the  author  with  them,  went 
into  town  in  that  way,  to  attend  the  religious  services  in  the 
parochia,  or  church. — The  ceremonies  were  imposing  and 
solemn;  and  every  one — both  Catholic  and  Protestant — Mex- 
ican and  American — friend  and  foe — apparently  in  unity  of 
spirit,  joined  in  the  worship. 

An  American  sentinel,  with  his  musket  and  bayonet,  stood 
at  the  door  to  preserve  the  utmost  order,  and  to  cause  those 
who  did  not  participate  in  the  ceremonies,  to  stand  in  the 
large  space  to  the  left;  while  those  that  did,  knelt  in  the  cen- 
tre or  body  of  the  church.  A  stone  basin,  on  a  high  projec- 
tion, stood  near  the  door,  containing  holy  water  ; — into  this 
the  people,  as  they  came  in,  dipped  their  fingers,  and  made 
the  sign  of  the  cross  on  their  foreheads. 

There  were  no  pews  or  seats  within  the  walls  of  the 
church :  the  pillars  that  supported  the  high  arched  roof,  the 
roof  itself,  the  floor,  the  area  of  the  altar,  were  all  of  stone  ; 
smooth,  cemented,  and  of  excellent  workmanship.  The 
church  was  spacious  ; — on  the  left  side,  behind  the  heavy 
pillars,  were  two  confessional  boxes  ;  and  farther  on  was 
a  full  length  figure  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  with  steps  be- 


"MASS"  AT   PAROCHIA. 

fore  it,  for  kneeling : — in  the  back  of  the  church,  in  a  large 
recess,  was  the  altar ; — the  whole  floor  of  this  was  eleva- 
ted about  two  feet  above  that  of  the  body  of  the  church, 
was  separated  from  that  by  a  railing,  and  was  richly  car- 
peted.— The  back  of  the  altar  was  a  mass  of  elaborately 
carved  pillars,  scollops,  figures  of  apostles,  saints,  and  an- 
gels ;  surmounted  near  the  lofty  ceiling,  by  another  image  of 
the  Virgin  Mary. — This  was  all  of  wood,  well  carved,  and 
gilded,  and  made  a  great  show. — On  the  lower  part  of  this, 
in  front,  were  the  stands  for  the  books  of  the  priests ;  one  on 
either  hand,  and  several  tall  candles  of  wax  were  burning 
around,  on  massive  gilded  candlesticks. — All  these  were  or- 
namented most  richly.  Conspicuously  placed  in  a  niche, 
was  a  vase,  which  contained  the  consecrated  bread,  or  actual 
body  of  Christ,  (according  to  their  belief)  ;  which  bread,  whe- 
ther taken  or  not  at  the  time,  is  always  a  direct  object  of 
worship  by  them.  This  was  the  third  mass  of  the  day,  and 
the  priest  was  getting  apparently  fatigued,  for  he  could  not 
eat  anything  until  all  were  said. 

On  the  right  of  the  church,  in  front  of  the  altar,  was  a 
deep  recess,  in  the  further  part  of  which  was  a  full  length 
figure  of  Christ,  upon  the  cross ;  and  to  this,  directly,  many 
paid  their  adoration. — On  this  side  of  the  church,  also,  was 
a  small  pulpit,  in  which,  in  the  afternoon,  the  priest  gave  a 
sermon  ;  but  the  people  did  not  care  about  hearing  that ; — 
they  were  satisfied  with  performing  the  ceremonial  part  of 
the  worship  ;  every  one  being  required  to  hear  mass  once,  at 
least,  a  week.  When  this  is  over,  they  go  about  their  busi- 
ness or  pleasure. 

Mass  is  said  in  the  United  States,  in  all  Catholic  churches, 
in  the  same  way,  precisely,  that  it  is  there,  and  is  therefore 
unnecessary  to  be  described.  It  is  only  in  those  things  in 
which,  by  peculiar  custom,  they  differ  from  Catholics  of  other 
countries,  (which,  in  many  ceremonies,  they  do),  or  in  those 
that  show  their  national  character  and  customs  to  the  best 
advantage,  that  the  author  will  touch  upon  in  this  work. 

One  of  these,  peculiar  to  them,  and  memorable  as  being 
so  very  different  from  our  customs,  is  their  manner  of  burial 
of  children.  When  one  of  these  die,  that  is  a  small  one,  it 


334  BURIAL   OF  "ANGELS." 

is  not  to  them  like  another  death,  a  source  of  deep  grief  to 
its  parents  and  connections.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  a  source 
of  the  highest  and  most  extravagant  joy. — It  is  not  a  soul 
polluted  with  guilt  and  sin,  which,  after  leaving  the  body, 
must  go  to  purgatory,  and  continue  to  suffer  much  torment 
until  the  day  of  judgment;  (its  sufferings,  however,  very 
much  alleviated,  by  having  the  priest  to  say  a  number,  about 
sixteen,  masses  for  it,  he  receiving  the  sum  of  one  dollar  a 
mass),  when  it  will  be  called  out  and  judged  for  the  deeds 
done  in  the  body,  and  consigned  eternally  to  heaven  or  to 
hell ; — but  it  is  a  guiltless  soul,  that  goes  not  to  purgatory 
at  all,  but  ascends  directly  to  Paradise  ;  for  they  say  that  Je- 
sus Christ  said  of  these,  "  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto 
me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  Hea- 
ven ;  "  and  therefore  they  go  directly  to  him,  and  are  little 
angels  (See  St.  Matt.  18  ch.  10  ver.}  in  presence  of  Jesus,  and 
of  the  holy  Virgin  Mary,  and  of  all  the  saints,  apostles,  and 
angels,  in  supreme  delight  and  happiness  ;  and  not  only  so, 
but  the  holy  Virgin  admits  them  to  her  presence  continually, 
and  hears  all  their  intercessions  in  behalf  of  their  parents, 
and  those  to  whom  they  were  once  dear  upon  earth  ;  and 
about  whom,  now,  they  flit  in  the  stilly  nights,  and  whisper 
to  them  many  things  of  peace,  joy,  and  holy  tranquility,  and 
watch  over  them,  and  preserve  them  from  harm. 

Believing  this,  as  they  sincerely  do,  it  is  no  wonder  that 
the  death  of  a  child  is  no  source  of  sorrow,  but  rather  of  the 
highest  joy,  to  the  parents  and  family  ; — and  always  after, 
when  praying  to  the  Virgin  Mary,  they  call,  too,  upon  these 
little  cherubs,  to  assist  them  in  their  petitions. — Women  here 
tell  you  not,  with  mournful  countenance,  that  they  have  lost 
so  many  children ;  but,  with  eyes  beaming  with  joy,  that 
they  han  despachados  tantos  angcles,(ha.ve  dispatched  so  marly 
angels). 

These  "  angels,"  too,  are  buried  with  no  cost :  the  priest 
has  nothing  for  his  services;  the  sacristan  nothing  for  his; 
nor  the  gravedigger,  or  band  of  music ;  which  items,  for  other 
burials,  cost  high. — Neither  is  there  any  need  for  masses 
to  be  said,  for  the  repose  of  the  soul.  The  ceremony  is 
this : — A  child  is  dying ;  the  priest  attends,  the  holy  oil  is 


BURIAL   OF   "ANGELS."  335 

applied,  &c.,  &c. — After  death,  it  is  arranged  in  its  best 
clothing,  and  laid  on  a  bier,  ornamented  with  artificial 
flowers  ;  which  bier  belongs  to  the  church,  and  is  kept  for  the 
purpose. — On  this,  the  delighted  mother  scatters  flowers  of 
every  kind  of  fragrant  perfume. — Her  neighbors  are  called 
in,  and  rejoice  with  her,  upon  the  departure  of  the  angel. — 
Four  women,  in  their  best  attire,  preceded  by  a  band  of 
music,  playing  lively  tunes,  and  the  bearer  of  the  codes,  or 
rockets,  proceed  to  the  church. — This  rocket-bearer  contin- 
ually discharges  these. — From  the  church,  where  the  body  as 
well  as  the  attendants  have  been  most  liberally  sprinkled 
with  the  agua  bendita,  or  holy  water,  by  the  priest,  the  angel 
is  taken  to  the  campo  santo,  and  buried,  without  a  coffin  (for 
coffins  in  the  interior,  are  seldom  used). — At  night,1  if  the 
family  can  afford  it,  they  have  a  fandango,  on  the  occasion, 
on  account  of  their  joy. — A  difficulty  often  occurs  between 
the  parents  of  a  deceased  child  and  the  priest,  as  to  its  being 
an  angel  or  not,  on  account  of  its  age. — The  priest  wants  his 
burial  fees,  and  maintains  that  it  is  too  old  ;  is  not  an  angel ; 
that  it  is  a  sinner ;  and  that,  consequently,  the  fees  of  the 
burial  service,  the  gravedigger,  the  sacristan,  and  those  of 
the  band  of  music,  must  all  be  paid ;  (and  a  number  of  masses 
must  be  said  for  its  soul,  to  place  it,  in  purgatory,  as  they 
have  it,  "  in  a  comparatively  easy  situation");  and  there 
would  be  no  joy,  no  dance,  but  most  profound  grief  instead. 

But  the  fond  mother  maintains,  most  strenuously,  that  it 
is  an  angel,  and  that  consequently  it  goes,  not  to  purgatory, 
but  to  the  climes  of  the  blessed. — The  priest  maintains  his 
point ;  but  if  the  age  of  the  child  is  anywhere  between  six 
and  eight  years,  he  is  commonly  obliged  to  give  in  to  the  mo- 
ther; and  so,  by  the  peculiar  service,  the  child  is  sent  off  to 
the  Virgin  Mary,  as  a  cherub,  and  the  rejoicings  take  place. 

One  other  of  their  customs  with  regard  to  the  souls  of  the 
dead,  and  we  will  leave  them  on  that  point. — As  said  before, 
if  a  person  dies,  his  soul  goes  immediately  to  purgatory,  to 
remain  until  judgment,  and  suffer  continually,  unless  the 
masses  are  said  for  his  relief;  but  these  cost  sixteen  dollars, 
and  not  many  of  the  peones  can  raise  this  sum  to  pay  the 
priest. — They  are  already  in  debt  to  their  masters,  beyond 


336  RIFA  DE  ALMAS. 

their  ability  to  discharge  ;  so  the  souls  of  their  fathers,  mo 
thers,  brothers,  sisters,  or  children,  must  remain  in  purgatory, 
and  "  sweat  it  out,"  very  much  to  their  continual  grief. — 
Now,  to  aid  these,  once  a  year,  in  the  spring,  at  every  paro- 
chia  and  capilla,  is  the  Rifa  de  Almas,  or  "  raffle  of  souls,"  a 
lottery,  to  see  which  of  these  souls  in  purgatory  shall  be 
released. —  Sixty-four  tickets  are  made  out  and  numbered ; 
these  are  sold,  by  the  priests,  to  the  peancs  and  mosos,  or 
house  servants,  at  a  quarter  of  a  dollar  a  ticket;  each  one 
buying  one,  two,  three,  or  more  tickets,  as  they  have  the 
means. — Now,  comes  begging,  and  pleading  with  their  mas- 
ters, to  get  the  quarter  of  a  dollar,  to  procure  a  ticket ; — for 
every  one  has  a  parent,  brother,  or  sister,  or  dear  friend,  in 
purgatory,  who,  in  the  dark  night,  have  often  appeared  to 
them,  and  in  hollow  voices,  told  them  to  have  masses  said,  to 
release  their  souls  from  torments. — Now,  every  one  wants  a 
chance  to  do  this. — The  tickets  are  quickly  sold,  and  the 
drawing  takes  place  at  the  church. — Two  sombreros  are  held 
up ;  one  has  in  it  the  tickets,  from  one  to  sixty-four,  the 
other  has  sixty-three  blanks,  and  one  prize. — They  are 
drawn  by  a  person  inserting  his  hands  into  each,  taking  out 
a  number  with  one,  and  either  a  blank  or  prize  with  the 
other.  The  one  fortunate  enough  to  secure  the  prize,  is 
looked  upon  as  having  accomplished  a  great  thing. — He  in- 
stantly names  the  unfortunate  individual,  who  has  been  suf- 
fering in  purgatory  so  long,  unrelieved. — His  name  is  taken 
down  by  the  priest,  and  the  masses  are  said  for  him,  and  that 
soul  is  then  in  a  condition  of  comparative  ease. — We  will 
speak  of  other  of  their  ceremonies  and  religious  customs  at 
another  time. 

January  14th.  The  cool  weather  had  now  passed  off,  and 
it  was  again  so  warm  that  we  sought  the  shade  upon  every 
opportunity.  The  health  of  the  regiment,  and  of  the  army, 
had  been,  while  we  remained  here,  good,  and  the  men  were 
in  excellent  spirits  ; — our  horses  were  in  fine  order,  and 
every  one  wished  to  move  still  farther  on,  to  meet  the  ene- 
my. Of  this  place,  although  so  pleasant,  we  were  tired, 
having  seen  all  that  was  interesting. 

This  morning  we  were  gratified  to  see  General  Twiggs' 


RECEPTION  OF  LETTERS  FROM  HOME.         337 

division  of  regulars,  with  Captain  Bragg's  artillery,  moving 
by  us,  and  taking  the  road  towards  the  south-ward  ;  and 
shortly  afterward,  our  division  received  orders  to  prepare  to 
follow  them  on  the  march  the  next  day.  This  was  good 
news,  and  all  our  little  arrangements  were  made  with  alac- 
rity. Many  of  the  men  began  to  wash  up  all  their  little 
wardrobes,  and  stow  them  safely  away  in  their  saddlebags  ; 
arms  were  put  in  first  rate  order,  and  a  general  fixing  up 
took  place.  Some  were  at  work  sewing  their  rent  clothing; 
others  mending  their  sa'ddles,  bridles,  girths,  and  other  horse 
equipage,  and  many  were  engaged  in  brightening  their 
swords,  and  fixing  up  their  carbines  and  pistols.  In  these 
arrangements,  the  day  passed  a\vay.  Near  sunset,  Captain 
Haynes'  company  came  into  town,  with  a  wagon  train, 
from  Matamoras. 

We  were  rejoiced  to  meet  them  again,  and  they  as  much 
so  to  see  us. — They  all  looked  tired  and  worn,  both  men  and 
horses. — They  had  had  a  hard  time  of  it  since  they  left  us 
at  San  Fernando,  to  return ; — they  had  been  on  the  march 
continually  since,  and  now  arrived  just  as  we,  thoroughly 
recruited,  men  and  horses,  were  about  again  to  leave. — They 
brought  up  for  our  regiment  about  two  hundred  letters,  that 
had  arrived  at  Matamoras  after  we  left. — These  were  most 
eagerly  sought  after  and  perused  by  the  fortunate  ones  to 
whom  they  were  sent;  while  others  who  were  disappointed 
in  their  expectations  of  receiving  some,  were  cross  and  surly, 
and  swore  that  they  would  never  write  home  again.  Those 
who  received  them  seemed  never  tired  of  reading  them  ;  they 
looked  them  over  again  and  again,  and  still  endeavored  to 
find  some  word  in  them  before  unseen. 

There  were  many  scenes  of  home  brought  before  the 
minds  of  the  men  that  evening,  by  those  letters  ;  and  after 
the  perusal  of  them  was  over,  groups,  in  every  company,  sat 
up  late,  around  the  camp  fires,  talking  of  their  contents, 
and  of  the  scenes  of  their  homes. — They  spoke  of  this  one, 
of  that  one,  of  another ;  turned  to  the  letters,  to  read  again, 
to  a  mess-mate,  what  was  said  of  a  particular  person  or 
thing  with  which  both  were  acquainted  at  home  ;  so  that 
one  letter  gave  pleasure  to  half  a  dozen  or  more  persons,  of 
22 


338  EFFECT  OF  LETTERS  RECEIVED. 

whom  the  writer,  at  the  moment,  had  never  thought. — It  was 
interesting  to  see  the  effect  upon  the  groups  around. — All 
gambling  was  stopped  ; — no  dice  or  cards,  with  which  every 
evening  before  had  been  spent,  were  to  be  seen ;  but  all 
minds  were  reverting  to  their  scenes  of  home. — Some  had 
received  news  of  loss  of  friends,  by  death,  &c.;  but  these 
were  few  ; — most  were  of  a  cheering  nature. — Some  of  the 
men  of  our  company,  who  had  been  sick  at  Matamoras,  came 
up  with  Captain  Haynes.* 

*  The  following  incidents  of  the  march  of  this  detachment,  politely  furnished  to  the 
author  by  one  of  the  officers,  will  be  found  interesting  to  the  reader : 

"  The  return  march,  to  Matamoras,  of  this  detachment,  was  made  in  two  days, — a 
train  of  sixty  wagons  loaded, — and  all  were  on  the  march  to  Victoria  on  the  fourth 
day  after  the  detachment  left  San  Fernando. — At  San  Fernando,  some  delay  being 
necessary  in  crossing  the  troops  over  the  river,  some  of  the  officers  of  the  detachment 
were  invited  to  the  house  of  Don  Ramon  de  Garcia,  one  of  the  wealthiest  men  of 
northern  Mexico, — one  of  whose  brothers  had  recently  been  governor  of  Tamaulipas, 
another  minister  to  France  and  Spain,  and  the  third  a  gallant  colonel  in  the  Mexican 
army.  His  dwelling  was  a  very  strong,  castellated  building,  with  wings,  and  a  back 
court,  surrounded  by  a  strong  high  wall.  The  interior  was  furnished  in  American 
style — sofas,  chairs,  mirrors,  curtains,  carpets,  pianos,  and  guitars. — After  showing  his 
fine  furniture,  Don  Ramon  remarked  with  an  air  of  satisfaction,  pointing  to  each  arti- 
cle, « este  es  Americano — eso  es  Americano — estos  son  Americanos — todos  son  Amer- 
icanos,' (this  American,  that  American,  those  Americans,  all  Americana.') 

u  The  party  found  a  splendid  table  spread  and  ready  for  them  on  their  arrival.  The 
manners  of  Don  Ramon  were  those  of  a  finished  gentleman.  Not  being  able  to  speak 
English,  he  sent  for  a  little  Italian,  who  had  found  his  way,  after  some  residence  in 
Louisiana,  to  San  Fernando,  and  was  there  dealing  in  wines  and  agua  ardiente. 

"  At  his  table  he  spoke  much  of  the  war,  of  his  native  country,  and  of  the  United 
States.  He  knew,  he  said,  that  the  United  States  had  more  men,  and  better  men ; 
more  money,  and  more  ships,  than  his  own.  In  the  contest  going  on,  he  said,  he 
knew  Mexico  must  suffer  ;  but  he  thought  both  would  suffer.  They  were  neighbors 
— both  republics — both  seeking  to  establish  and  sustain  the  great  democratic  principle 
of  self-government.  He  proposed  several  toasts,  equally  complimentary  to  the  United 
States,  and  wishing  for  peace. 

"In  return,  one  of  the  party  proposed,  '  The  Mexican  government; — May  she  soon 
fall  into  better  hands  than  the  tyrant  and  despot  who  now  rules  her.'  At  this  the  Mexi- 
can patriot  seemed  embarrassed, — took  up  his  glass,  and  then  set  it  down  without  tast- 
ing it — 'Gentlemen,'  said  he,  'excuse  me; — Santa  Anna  is  my  friend; — he  has 
been  the  friend  of  my  family  ; — we  love  him; — we  are  his  friends. — He  is  the  friend 
of  his  country, — the  friend  of  liberty. — He  desires  to  uphold  the  democratic  principles 
of  self-government. — I  believe  there  is  no  hope  for  Mexican  nationality,  except  through 
Antonio  Lopez  de  Santa  Anna !  Gentlemen,  I  propose  the  health  of  all  good  repub- 
licans in  both  countries.1 

This  instance  of  devotion  to  Santa  Anna  is  mentioned,  to  show  that  he  has  warm 
friends,  in  his  country,  who  do  not  look  upon  him  as  a  tyrant, — this,  more  especially, 


IMPORT   OF   DISPATCHES.  339 

We  soon  found  that  Captain  Haynes  had  brought  papers 
more  important  in  their  effect  upon  us  and  all  the  army,  than 
these  private  letters,  that  so  engrossed  our  attention. — In  the 
first  place,  we  learned,  to  our  great  surprise,  that  General 
Winfield  Scott  had  arrived  in  Mexico,  and  taken  command 
of  the  whole  army ;  and  that  our  favorite,  General  Taylor, 
was  now  but  second. — In  the  next  place,  we  found  that  Gen- 
eral Scott  had  sent,  by  that  officer,  orders  to  General  Tay- 
lor to  fall  back  upon  Monterey,  with  a  small  portion  of 

in  the  wealthier  classes.  [There  is  no  patriotism,  however,  in  any  of  them  ; — they  only 
prefer  that  president  who  advances  their  own  families  or  interests  the  most. — Author.] 
When  the  dinner  party  broke  up,  the  Mexican  presented  his  card,  neatly  printed  with 
his  name  and  that  of  his  wife. 

"  After  leaving  San  Fernando,  the  detachment  reached  the  town  of  Santander,  without 
any  adventures.  Here  a  great  number  of  robber-looking  Mexicans  came  into  the  camp 
early  in  the  morning,  and  stood  around  the  fires,  very  much  to  the  annoyance  of  the 
men.  Although  they  were  unarmed,  the  early  hour,  and  their  number,  led  to  the 
suspicions  of  some  harm,  especially  as  several  armed  parties  were  known  to  be 
within  a  few  miles. 

"  Several  men  were  quietly  posted  so  as  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  Mexicans,  and 
they  were  all  taken  prisoners ;  although  several  broke  through  the  guard,  but  were  run 
down  and  brought  back  to  camp.  This  brought  out  many  men  from  the  town,  who 
were  also  added  to  the  number  of  prisoners.  Upon  a  close  examination,  we  found 
that  the  Mexicans,  (who  were  closely  wrapt  up  in  their  horongos,  on  account  of  the 
norther),  had  stolen,  in  a  few  minutes,  two  carbines,  one  sword,  one  pistol,  and  a  blan- 
ket,— axes  and  hatchets  not  a  few, — and  contrived  to  secure  them  under  their  blan- 
kets. Upon  inspection,  one  young  Mexican  was  found  with  a  carbine  under  his 
blanket,  stuck  down  the  leg  of  his  trowsers ; — other  articles  were  found  similarly  lo- 
cated. 

"  Among  those  who  came  down  from  the  town  was  an  old  man,  who  had  done  the 
honors  of  the  previous  evening,  as  the  alcalde.  When  the  blanket  was  pulled  off, 
exposing  the  carbine  on  the  person  of  the  thief,  this  old  man  flew  into  a  pre- 
tended rage, — called  the  young  man  to  him — ordered  him  to  kneel  down — seized  a 
cornstalk,  lying  near,  and  struck  him  over  the  shoulders,  as  if  he  actually  expected 
to  kill  him  with  it,  and  exclaiming  at  every  blow,  ' Malo,  malisimo.' — mucho 
malo  ! — ve  it !  '  as  if  to  say,  bad,  very  bad — begone  ;  or  get  thee  gone  !  The  lu- 
dicrous manner  in  which  the  head  rascal  pounced  upon  the  little  rascal,  when  he  was 
caught  in  the  act,  excited  loud  laughter  among  all,  even  among  the  Mexican  pris- 
oners. 

"AH  the  prisoners  (about  forty  in  number)  were  told,  that  inasmuch  as  it  was  evident 
that  they  were  all  engaged  together,  they  would  be  taken  on  to  Victoria,  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  miles,  and  kept  until  the  stolen  arms  were  returned. — The  alcalde 
and  another  old  man  were  released  upon  parole,  upon  their  promise  to  hunt  the  stolen 
articles  in  the  town ; — the  others  were  formed  in  two  lines,  and  marched  off  towards 
Victoria,  behind  the  train. 
•'  We  had  proceeded  perhaps  a  mile,  when  we  were  overtaken  by  a  large  crowd  of 


340  DISPATCHES   FROM   GEN.  SCOTT. 

his  troops ;  and  to  send  the  main  body  of  those  at  Victoria, 
regulars  and  volunteers,  under  generals  Patterson,  Twiggs, 
Pillow,  and  Quitman,  forward  to  Tampico,  about  two  hun- 
dred and  ten  miles  to  the  south-east. 

We  learned  that  an  attack  was  to  be  made  on  Vera  Cruz, 
by  General  Scott,  and  that  all  the  available  forces  of  the 
army  would  be  required  for  that  attack,  on  account  of  its 
strong  fortifications.  This  news  was  received  with  the 
greatest  interest  by  all  the  army,  especially  by  those  who 
were  now  about  to  be  separated  from  General  Taylor. 

The  news  of  the  dispatch  run  and  circulated,  that  evening, 
from  camp  to  camp,  regiment  to  regiment,  from  one  line  of 
tents  to  another,  and  into  every  tent,  awakening  the  sleepers, 
who  rose  on  their  elbows,  inquired,  and  talked  of  the  matter ; 
and,  before  morning,  it  was  known  to  all,  even  to  General 
Twiggs'  division,  which,  as  before  stated,  had  that  morning 
taken  up  their  march. — Gen.  Taylor,  that  night,  sent  an  ex- 
women,  boys,  girls,  and  doga, — some  crying,  others  trying  to  laugh,  and  the  dogs 
barking.  Still  we  kept  on,  the  crowd  behind  us  increasing,  and  pressing  upon  us,  as 
if  determined  upon  a  rescue,  vi  et  armt's.  Fearful  of  the  result,  in  case  of  an  action, 
we  had  recourse  to  the  Mexican  art  of  negociation  ; — we  halted  for  a  parley.  One 
woman,  more  bold  than  the  rest,  came  forward,  pointed  to  her  husband,  and  proposed 
to  give  '  cfoi  pesos'  (two  dollars),  if  we  would  let  him  off; — another  offered  ' quairo 
reales'  (four  bits),  for  hers ;  while  a  third  very  gravely  displayed  in  her  hand  '  tin 
real,'  (one  bit),  which  she  proposed  to  exchange  for  her  better  half. 

"  Having  explained  to  them  that  we  did  not  want  their  money,  but  our  property,  they 
then  begged : — one  wept ;  another  scolded ;  while  a  beautiful  girl,  whose  interest  was 
more  intense,  looked  daggers  out  of  two  pretty  black  eyes. — This  was  too  much 
for  common  nerves  ;  so  we  agreed  with  the  alcalde,  (who  now  came  up  to  report), 
that  if  he  would  pay  for  the  stolen  articles,  we  would  let  the  rascals  go.  This  was 
gladly  done,  although  the  Mexicans  could  not  refrain  from  begging  off  from  part  of 
the  amount,  saying  they  were  very  poor. 

"  They  were  then  told  that '  it  was  a  pity  that  so  many  honest  men  should  suffer  on 
account  of  two  or  three  rascals ; — that  in  every  village,  a  few  rascals,  by  their  crimes, 
might  ruin  many  hand  men'  (Here  several  robber  looking  men,  with  long  musta- 
chios,  gravely  smote  their  breasts,  saying, '  Si,  Senor,  Si,  Senor  ! ')  The  alcalde  re- 
plied with  great  coolness. — He  said  :  '  It  is  true,  Senor ; — the  people  of  Santander  are 
alt  honest  men ;  they  don't  know  how  to  steal.'1  The  corn-stalk  flagellation  here 
rose  to  view  ;  but  repressing  our  laughter,  we  marched  off,  leaving  the  women  and 
dogs  to  escort  the  honest  ladranes  of  Santander  back  to  their  homes. 

"  Without  any  attack  from  the  Mexicans,  we  arrived  safely,  with  sixty  thousand  ra- 
tions for  the  army,  at  Victoria,  after  the  first  brigade  of  General  Taylor  had  already 
started  for  Tampico." 


ARRANGEMENTS  FOR   THE  MARCH.  341 

press  to  Gen.  Twiggs,  directing  Captain  Bragg  to  return, 
with  his  artillery ;  for  he  had  determined  to  keep  him,  Colo- 
nel May's  dragoons,  and  Colonel  Davis'  regiment  of  Missis- 
sippi riflemen. — All  the  rest  were  to  go  to  Tampico. — The 
arrangements  were  made  this  night,  by  the  generals,  and  on 
the  next  morning  Gen.  Patterson's  division  were  on  the 
move.  Gen.  Quitman's  force  brought  up  the  rear  the  day  after. 

EL    NAC1M1ENTO,  (THE    XATIVITl). 

There  was  one  religious  ceremony  which,  about  this  time,  was  observed  throughout  the  re- 
public of  Mexico ;  though,  at  Victoria,  the  beginning  of  it,  and  the  public  celebration,  had 
passed  before  we  arrived,  yet  the  private  ceremonies  were  kept  up  for  several  days. — This 
was  the  celebration  of  " El  Kacimiento"  or  the  nativity  of  our  Savior.  It  commences  on 
Christmas  eve,  the  night  of  the  24lh  of  December  ;  is  kept  up  with  great  splendor  on  the  next 
(Christmas)  day,  and  then,  by  many  families,  is  prolonged  even  to  the  14th  of  February.  It 
is  a  great  time  among  them  for  devotion,  ostentation,  and  religious  excitement. 

The  church  take  care,  on  this  day,  to  blend  great  amusement  with  the  religious  ceremonies. 
The  whole  is  conducted  thus : — On  the  24th.  the  principal  church  at  every  town,  and  the  capilla 
at  every  hacienda,  is  decorated  and  brilliantly  lighted.  The  Virgin  Mary,  the  infant  Jesus, 
Joseph,  the  manger,  &c.,  &c.,  are  placed  in  these  churches,  the  first  represented  by  images, 
and  the  last  built  up ; — sometimes  wooden  oxen  are  placed  around,  and  looking-glasses,  flow- 
ers and  ornaments  of  every  kind,  are  arranged,  so  as  to  produce  the  most  brilliant  effect. 

A  large  number  of  the  inhabitants,  senores  and  senoras,  are  selected  to  personify  the  Shep- 
herds, to  whom  the  angel  appears  ;  (see  St.  Luke,  Zd  chapt.,  9th  verse) ; — they  start  off  to  hunt 
the  infant  Jesus,  through  the  town.  Other  men  personify  the  "  wise  men  of  the  east,"  (St. 
Matthew,  Zd  chapt.,  -2d  verse),  and  they  are  searching  around,  having  seen  the  "  star.1'  These 
all  find  the  infant  in  the  church,  and,  much  rejoiced,  adore  him;  and  the  wise  men  make 
speeches  to  him,  got  up  for  the  occasion,  and  then  offer  their  gifts,  as  set  forth  by  the  Evan- 
gelists. After  this,  amid  the  delighted  throng,  the  image  is  taken  up  and  baptised  as  Jesus 
Christ,  one  of  the  principal  inhabitants  standing  as  god-father  to  it,  and  then  numerous  gifts 
are  left  for  the  benefit  of  the  child,(these,  of  course,  go  to  the  priests),  and  this  ceremony  ends 
ji  the  church. — All  this  is  done  on  the  night  of  the  24th. 

The  next  day,  (Christmas),  great  rejoicing  takes  place,  on  account  of  the  birth  of  the  Sa- 
vior, and  at  night  a  smaller  "  Nacimiento"  is  opened  in  almost  every  house  ; — every  one  has 
aright  to  erect  thus  a  sacred  altar,  or  rather  form  of  El  Nacimienlo,  within  his  domicil.  The 
richer  ones  do  this  with  great  splendor. — A  large  table  is  spread  out  in  one  of  the  principal 
rooms,  with  many  lighted  candles  upon  it. — On  this  table  is  the  image  of  the  infant  Jesus, 
made  of  wax,  plaster,  or  such  material,  in  a  cradle,  with  those  of  the  Virgin,  Joseph,  and  oth- 
ers, around  it,  and  as  many  other  saints,  &c.,  as  they  can  procure.  Pictures,  ornaments, 
»n  and  gold  foil,  glasses,  and  everything  that  will  make  a  display  in  the  bright  light,  are  nr- 
•anged  around. 

A  young  man,  and  the  prettiest  senorita  in  the  family  or  connections,  both  richly  dressed, 
stand  by  the  table  as  the  god-father  and  god-mother  of  the  infant. — Upon  this  table  are  also 
piles  of  candy,  fruits,  &c,  which  are  all  to  be  eaten  at  the  conclusion  of  the  ceremony.  These 
"  Nacimitntos?  so  gorgeously  arranged,  are  open  to  the  inspection  of  any  one  in  the  streets, 
who  ha»  a  perfect  right  to  enter,  look  on  the  exhibition,  and  say  his  prayers  to  the  little  wax  in- 
fant; and  in  order  to  add  to  the  appearance,  rockets  are  fired  for  the  whole  evening  from 
the  doorways.  The  expenses  of  the  whole  arrangement  are  paid  by  the  fortunate  young 
man,  the  god-father.' 

After  an  exhibition  of  two  or  three  hours,  the  scene  closes  for  the  night,  but  is  opened  in 
the  same  way  on  the  next,  and  so  on  for  eight  nights,  when,  all  over  the  city,  and  in  fact 
through  the  nation,  the  "  Nacim  ientos  "  are  raised,  as  they  call  it; — that  is.  the  whole  ends  in  a 
grand  frolic,  amid  the  discharge  of  many  rockets. — The  fruits,  candies,  cakes,  &c.,  are  dis- 
tributed to  the  company,  and  the  little  images  put  away  to  be  nady  for  the  same  force  on  the 
next  year. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Friday,  January  \5th,  1847.  A  busy  morning. — The  bugles 
and  numerous  drums  and  fifes,  on  the  clear,  morning  air, 
roused  up  the  army  early. — After  a  quick  breakfast,  Gen. 
Patterson's  division,  now  consisting  of  four  regiments  :  our 
own,  of  cavalry,  Coh  Thomas',  the  first  and  second  Tennes- 
see infantry,  under  colonels  Campbell  and  Haskell,  all  of 
Gen.  Pillow's  brigade,  and  the  third  Illinois,  under  Col.  Fore- 
man, which  last  was  with  us  before,  and  a  company  of  artil- 
lery— struck  their  tents,  and  the  wagons,  being  loaded,  with 
the  heavy  train,  commenced  the  march ;  passing  by  the  town, 
there  turned  to  the  left,  took  the  road  over  the  spur  of  the 
mountain,  towards  Tampico  ;  Gen.  Twiggs'  division  of  regu- 
lars, as  before  said,  being  one  day  in  advance,  and  Gen.  Quit- 
man  to  follow  the  next  day,  with  his  force,  consisting  of  the 
fourth  Illinois  and  Georgia  regiments,  the  Baltimore  batta- 
lion, and  Captain  Haynes'  company  of  cavalry,  the  second 
time  detached  from  the  regiment;  we  saw  no  more  of  him, 
or  of  our  comrades  of  his  company,  until  our  arrival  near 
Tampico. 

Gen.  Patterson  took  a  detail  from  our  regiment  of  twenty 
men  and  a  sergeant,  to  ride  with  him,  as  his  guard ;  and  Gen. 
Pillow  required  a  like  detail  of  twelve  men  to  attend  him. — 
On  Gen.  Patterson's  guard,  the  author  was  placed,  on  the 
march  now  commenced. — Attended  by  his  guard,  the  general 
before  following  the  column  of  troops,  that,  under  Gen.  Pil- 
low, were  already  on  the  road,  went  down  to  Gen.  Taylor's 
camp,  to  bid  him  farewell. — The  old  general's  quarters  look- 
ed lonely  ;  of  the  thousands  that  were  round  him,  yesterday, 
the  lines  of  tents  of  May's  dragoons  were  all  that  were  left. 

(342) 


MARCH  OF  GEN.  PATTERSON'S   DIVISION.  343 

After  the  parting  bet  ween  the  generals,  we  came  up  through 
the  space,  so  lately  crowded,  now  so  deserted  ;  the  camp  fires 
were  still  smoking. — Many  Mexicans,  wrapped  in  their  horon- 
gos,  were  stepping  over  the  ground,  collecting  clothing,  &c., 
but  apparently  fearful  of  taking  it  away,  while  any  of  us  were 
yet  near. — A  little  farther  on,  we  came  to  a  detail  of  our  regi- 
ment, engaged  in  the  melancholy  duty  of  burying  a  comrade 
(James  Brown,  who  died  last  night). — The  general  stopped 
at  the  grave,  asked  a  few  questions,  and  directed  the  men  to 
put  a  few  stones  on  its  surface,  to  prevent  it  from  being  dis- 
turbed, and  then  we  rode  on  towards  the  town. — Passing 
near,  and  leaving  it  to  the  right,  we  crossed  the  rocky  stream, 
and  took  the  road  for  Tampico.  Now,  this  was,  for  miles, 
stretched  out  with  troops,  and  the  long  train,  of  which,  while 
the  head  was  already  over  the  first  spur  of  the  mountain,  the 
rear  had  not  yet  left  camp,  where,  also,  the  rear  guard  of 
cavalry,  under  Capt.  Sneed,  were  drawn  up,  waiting,  in  pa- 
tience, for  it  to  start. 

When  ascending  the  first  spur  of  the  mountain,  the  view 
caught  of  the  plain  behind,  was  indeed  most  beautiful. — 
It  extended  far  down  upon  the  town,  and  adjoining  country) 
dotted  with  ranches,  with  bright  groves  of  orange  trees,  and 
large  fields  of  sugar  cane,  and  interspersed  by  the  hills  of 
chapparal,  which,  from  above,  appeared  level. — The  scope  of 
vision  included  a  wide  area  of  many  miles  along  the  foot 
of  the  rugged  mountains,  with  their  wild  peaks  above. — The 
town  was  immediately  below,  and  one  could  see  its  whole 
length  and  breadth  ;  while  the  rocky  brook  meandered  along, 
visible  in  its  every  turn,  for  miles. — Gen.  Quitman's  camp  was 
in  view,  on  the  left;  its  many  lines  of  tents  looked  small  and 
white;  far  on  the  right,  just  visible,  could  be  seen  the  few, 
of  Gen.  Taylor;  while  the  long  lines  of  our  division  and  train 
winding  up  the  ascent,  and  coming  over  the  plain,  were 
stretched  back  to  the  camp,  and  their  movements  gave  anima- 
tion to  the  scene. — It  was,  altogether,  one  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful and  extensive  mountain  landscapes  that  any  of  us  had 
ever  gazed  upon ;  and  it  attracted  universal  attention. 

We  passed  up  the  spur,  and  on  the  top  found  it  hilly  for 
some  miles. — The  column  of  troops  raised  a  heavy  dust,  to 


344  CAMP  AT   RIO  DE  FLORIS. 

avoid  which,  the  general  put  his  horse  into  a  brisk  canter,  we 
following  him  closely. — We  soon  met  Capt.  Bragg,  with  his 
artillery,  going  back  to  Gen.  Taylor.* 

Now,  we  will  again  enter  upon  the  smaller  incidents  of 
the  march. — We  skirted  the  foot  of  the  mountain  during 
the  day,  through  beautiful  scenery,  and  at  three  P.  M.,  the 
advance  reached  a  pretty  mountain  stream,  called  Rio  de 
Floris,  (or  river  of  flowers). — A  rancho  was  near  it  on  an  emi- 
nence.— The  water  of  the  stream  was  clear,  and  ran  with  a 

•  We  saw  our  old  general  no  more  during  the  campaign ;  he  had  hot  work  to  do 
in  less  than  six  weeks  after  this,  at  Buena  Vista ;  for  this  movement  and  division  of 
forces,  became  immediately  known  to  Santa  Anna,  by  the  death  of  Lieut.  Ritchie,  (who 
was  lassoed  at  the  town  of  Villa  Grande,  a  few  days  before  this),  and  the  capture 
of  his  dispatches,  which  he  was  bringing  ftom  Monterey  to  Victoria.  These  were 
duplicates  of  those  brought  by  Capt.  Haynes,  and  were,  by  the  Mexicans,  imme- 
diately sent  to  Santa  Anna,  and  he  thus  saw,  at  once,  the  position  of  the  American 
forces,  and  that  Gen.  Taylor  was  left  with  a  small  army. — Here,  then,  was  the  oppor- 
tunity, by  a  sudden  march,  to  rout  that  little  army,  and  retake  the  whole  valley  of  the 
Rio  Grande. — Santa  Anna  had  with  him  over  twenty  thousand  men,  and  a  large  num- 
ber of  pieces  of  artillery,  with  abundance  of  material  of  war.  His  troops  had  the  ut- 
most confidence  in  him,  for  he,  as  yet,  had  not  been  in  the  field  during  this  war,  and  his 
former  reputation  was  great  with  them.  He  had  excited  them,  by  his  endeavors  and 
speeches,  to  a  pitch  of  enthusiasm,  so  that  all  were  eager  to  march  against  the  America- 
no* ;  and  many  were  the  threats  among  his  legions,  that  they  would  not  leave  an 
American  alive. 

At  San  Louis  Potosi,  he  received  these  dispatches,  in  less  than  a  week  after  this 
time;  and,  in  two  more  weeks  he  bad  his  powerful  army  in  motion,  marching  to  the 
north,  towards  Saltillo,  to  annihilate  Gen.  Taylor's  little  force. 

On  the  next  day  to  that  of  our  departure  from  Victoria,  Gen.  Taylor,  with  less  than 
a  thousand  men,  commenced  his  return  march  for  Monterey.  Of  his  departure,  a 
friend,  who  was  with  Quitman's  brigade,  thus  writes : 

u  There  was  a  general  rush  to  see  the  old  hero  leave  ;  all  his  old  soldiers,  except  the 
Mississippians,  who  went  back  with  him,  had  departed  for  Tampico. — Every  one  seem- 
ed to  be  melancholy  at  the  separation. — It  was  thought  that  all  the  fighting,  all  the  honors, 
and  all  the  laurels  would  be  down  on  the  coast,  at  Vera  Cruz,  and  towards  the  Capi- 
tal It  looked,  then,  as  if  Old  Zach.  had  been  sent  back  to  the  rear,  where  he  would  have- 
only  to  guard  the  country  of  the  Rio  Grande. — Little  thought  those  who  saw  the  old 
hero,  as  he  quietly  rude  through  the  plaza  and  streets  of  Victoria,  in  a  plain  citizen's 
drew,  with  some  late  papers  in  his  hand,  carelessly  sitting  on  his  Mexican  pony,  and 
politely  bidding  adieu  to  all  those  who  remained  behind  him,  slowly  followed  by  May's 
dragoons,  Bragg's  battery,  and  Davis'  Mississippians,  that  ere  another  six  weeks  should 
roll  around,  he  would  stand  on  the  bloody  field  of  Buena  Vista,  at  the  head  of  a 
gallant  little  army,  to  triumph  over  Mexican  veterans.  Even  that  recall,  that  counter- 
mand, which  then  seemed  almost  like  disgrace,  soon  afforded  him  an  opportunity  of 
covering  himself  with  greater  glory,  than,  in  all  his  life  before,  he  had  won." 


CAMP   AT   RIO  DK  FLORIS.  345 

continual  murmur  over  the  rocks ;  along  its  banks  \eere 
trees  of  rose-wood,  lignum-vitae,  and  musquit  of  large  size, 
and  to  our  surprise,  we  saw  also,  several  of  our  old  acquain- 
tances, the  sycamore  ;  the  growth  of  which,  we  had  left  a 
thousand  miles  or  more,  to  the  north-east. — Difference  of  ele- 
vation, however,  has  the  same  effect  on  climate  and  growth 
of  timber,  as  difference  of  latitude  ;  a  thousand  feet  eleva- 
tion, in  these  regions,  having  as  much  effect,  in  producing 
coolness  of  air.  as  five  hundred  miles  or  more  distance  on 
the  low  plains  towards  the  north  would  have. — Those  men, 
who  climbed  these  mountains  at  Victoria,  say  that  the  little 
rough  appearance  they  present  against  the  sky,  is  made  by 
oak  trees,  both  post  and  red,  of  considerable  size  ;  but  none 
of  these  grow  down  here,  and  we  had  not  seen  one  for  hun- 
dreds of  miles  back. 

The  column  of  infantry  soon  began  to  come  into  camp, 
followed  by  the  wagon  train.  The  men  were  covered  with 
dust,  and  it  was  caked  on  their  sweaty  faces,  giving  them 
an  odd  appearance. — Multitudes  of  them  soon  lined  the 
banks  of  the  creek,  up  and  down,  standing  on  the  rocks,  in 
the  water,  and  washing  their  hands  and  faces  in  the  clear 
stream,  that  rapidly  coursed  along. — One  or  two  had  the  luxury 
of  a  towel,  that  they  had  got  from  the  Mexicans;  a  very  few 
had  handkerchiefs,  some  a  piece  of  an  old  tent,  with  which 
to  wipe  their  faces  after  washing ;  but  the  most  had  nothing 
of  the  kind,  for  their  wardrobe  was  becoming  scanty.  These 
allowed  the  sun  and  fresh  air  to  dry  their  faces  and  heads. 
— As  their  company  wagons  came  in,  their  lines  of  tents 
went  up,  and  before  sunset  all  were  in,  and  the  little  hills 
and  hollows  all  around,  were  covered  with  busy  life;  and, 
after  night,  shone  bright  with  many  hundred  fires. 

We,  of  the  guard,  twenty  men,  under  Sergeant  McKamy, 
soon  found  that  we  were  placed  in  a  different  situation  than 
before,  and  in  a  much  better  one,  for  we  had  no  roll-calls,  no 
guard  to  stand,  nor  any  of  the  ordinary  camp  duties  to  per- 
form ;  we  drew  our  provisions  by  ourselves,  as  a  separate 
company,  and  our  forage  in  the  same  way. — We  were  in  three 
messes,  and  our  tents  arid  mess  bags  were  carried  in  one  of 
the  general's  large  wagons,  all  of  which  had  good  teams,  and 


346  MISHAP  TO  GEN.  PATTERSON. 

moved  at  the  head  of  the  train,  behind  the  artillery,  and  con- 
sequently were  always  in  camp  the  first  at  night ;  our  tents, 
therefore,  were  up  quickly,  and  we  had  time  to  rest  at  even- 
ing.— We  had  not,  either,  to  march  in  the  dusty  column  by 
day,  for  the  general  kept  clear  of  that;  often  we  would  ride 
ahead,  and  rest  in  the  shade,  until  the  column  came  up. — 
Moreover,  we  always  had  the  best  possible  position  in  camp 
at  night,  for  water ;  for  the  general,  when  coming  on  the 
ground,  always  selected  his  position  on  the  upper  part  of  the 
creek  or  river,  when  at  one ;  and  beside  this,  we  were  not 
crowded  for  room ;  for  the  body  of  the  army  was  always  pla- 
ced a  short  distance  from  his  quarters,  and  our  horses  got  a 
fine  chance  at  the  little  grass  that  was  to  be  found  along. — 
Not  only  so,  but  he  allowed  us  to  have  our  forage  carried  in 
one  of  his  wagons ;  thus  taking  much  weight  off  our  horses 
(and  by  a  private  bargain  with  one  of  his  wagoners,  who 
had  a  fine  large  wagon,  six  excellent  mules,  and  a  light  load, 
we  got  our  saddle-bags  of  clothing,  &c.,  carried ;  and  not 
only  so,  but  our  blankets  we  wrapped  up  each  morning,  and 
stowed  away  in  there  also ;  thus  reducing  the  weight  on  our 
horses  to  ourselves  and  arms). — The  effect  of  this  was  im- 
mediately perceptible  in  their  movements  and  appearance. — 
Our  duty  was  light,  simply  to  keep  our  arms  in  first-rate  order, 
and  to  assist  at  camping,  in  putting  up  the  three  marquees, 
&c.,  and  in  taking  them  down  in  the  morning. — Our  sergeant 
was  an  accommodating  man,  and  we  were  as  jovial  as  larks. 
Saturday,  January  16th.  The  reveille  was  beat  at  an 
early  hour,  and  the  camp  was  lit  up  before  day. — Hear- 
ing quite  a  confusion  at  the  general's  quarter,  we  went 
up  there,  being  near. — There  were  many  curious,  natural 
holes  in  the  rock  about  here,  which  we  had  noticed  the 
last  night ;  they  were  round,  like  wells,  and  about  ten  OP 
twelve  feet  deep. — Gen.  Patterson,  while  walking  around 
in  the  dark,  preparatory  to  starting,  fell  into  one  of  these, 
and  went  down,  against  the  bottom,  with  such  a  concussion 
as  deprived  him  of  the  power  of  making  any  exertion  to 
get  out.  He  lay  there,  a  few  moments,  before  he  could 
call  for  help ;  when  his  po\ver  of  speech  returned  to  him, 
however,  he  exercised  it  lustily,  by  calling  for  his  Irish  ser- 


LOSS  OF  A  BOTTLE  OF  BRANDY.  347 

vant,  Lawless. — Lawless  heard  the  general's  voice,  rapidly 
calling  him,  but,  from  the  nature  of  the  sound,  coming  up  out 
of  the  ground,  he  was  for  the  moment,  in  the  darkness,  com- 
pletely unable  to  tell  from  which  direction  it  came.  He  kept 
answering,  however,  and  run  around  completely  confused ; 
seizing  a  light,  he  at  last  struck  the  direction,  and  groped  his 
way  through  a  large  bunch  of  cactus,  that  pierced  him  in  an 
hundred  places;  he  cursed  this,  and  answered  the  general's 
call  in  the  same  breath ;  pushing  through  it,  he  saw  the 
hole,  and,  extending  the  light  over  it,  the  general  in  the  bot- 
tom.— Surprised,  as  he  bent  over,  he  called  out,  "  And  is  it 
under  the  ground  that  ye  are,  gineral  ?  and  what  in  the  divil 
brought  you  here?" — "  What  brought  me  here?  I  fell  here  ; 
get  me  out,"  replied  the  general,  in  a  passionate  voice. — 
With  the  help  of  the  aids,  he  was  out  before  we  got 
up  there.  He  was  much  bruised,  and  his  ancle  severely 
sprained ;  but  after  a  little  rest,  was  enabled  to  mount  his 
horse,  when  the  marquees  were  taken  down,  and  the  march 
was  commenced. 

About  this  time,  Lieut.  Williams,  one  of  the  general's  aids, 
was  hunting  in  every  direction  for  a  bottle  of  brandy,  which 
was  taken  out  of  the  general's  stores  the  night  before,  for  his 
benefit  and  that  of  the  aids  ;  but  on  account  of  the  lateness 
of  the  hour,  had  been  laid  by,  still  corked,  for  the  morn- 
ing.— "  Have  you  seen  anything  of  a  bottle  of  brandy  about 
here  ?  "  said  he  to  the  sergeant  of  the  guard. — "  Men,  have 
you  seen  anything  of  a  bottle  of  brandy  about  here  ? " 
shouted  the  sergeant,  without  answering  directly  the  ques- 
tion of  the  aid. — The  nearest  man,  still  without  answering, 
repeated  the  question  to  the  others  quickly,  "  I  say,  men, 
don't  you  hear  the  sergeant ;  have  you  seen  anything  of  a 
bottle  of  brandy  about  here  ?  " — "  Bottle  of  what  ?  "  inquired 
one  or  two. — Lieut.  Williams  replied  aloud,  and  unea- 
sily, for  there  \vas  a  strong  probability  that  he  would  lose 
his  morning  dram,  "A  bottle  of  brandy  that  the  general 
brought  from  Philadelphia  with  him." — "  Have  you  seen  any- 
thing of  the  general's  bottle  of  brandy  ?  "  called  out  several ; 
and  in  an  instant  after  another  man,  a  little  farther  off,  was 
heard  at  the  same,  but  with  a  cough  at  first,  and  a  hem  ! — 


348  SEARCH   FOR   THE   BRANDY. 

"  Have  you" — another  hem! — "  seen  anything  of  the  gene- 
ral's brandy, — hem ! — Charley  ?  "  "I  don't  keep  the  general's 
brandy,"  replied  he  ;  "I  wish  I  did."  The  sergeant  called 
out,  "  Look  after  it,  men  ; "  and  all  went  to  looking,  but 
could  not  find  it  in  the  darkness  ;  so  they  returned  to  sad- 
dling their  horses,  at  which  they  were  at  first  engaged. 

But  all  the  time  that  this  calling  had  been  made,  another  con- 
versation had  been  carried  on  in  whispers  in  the  darkness  : — • 
"  Drink  quick,  Jim ;  don't  you  hear  the  lieutenant  inquiring 
after  it  ?  "  "I  will ;  but  it's  so  d-m-d  strong,"  said  Jim,  as 
he  bent  behind  his  horse  and  drank,  and  then  called  out 
aloud,  "  Have  you  seen,"  &c.  "  Hand  the  bottle  over  here,r 
said  Charley,  in  an  earnest  whisper ; — "  Ha  !  the  best  brandy 
I  ever  drank  in  my  life. — Stop !  let  me  have  another  swal- 
low."— "  Don't  you  hear  McKamy  calling  to  us  to  look  after 
it?"  said  another — "put  it  there  by  that  rock;  we'll  find  it 
when  we  come  back." 

The  aid  stormed  and  swore  about  the  infantry  sentinels, 
that  had  stood  there  in  the  night ;  said  he  knew  the  company 
that  they  were  detailed  from,  and  he  threatened  all  sorts  of 
vengeance  against  them.  "  D-m  it,"  said  he  to  Col.  Aber- 
crombie,  the  other  aid,  "  there  is  nothing  left  but  whisky, 
now,  and  I  hate  that." — The  guard  returned,  and  the  bottle 
was  passed  around  among  a  few  whom  they  knew  would 
not  "blow;"  and  it  might  have  been  observed  that  morn- 
ing, that  these  were  in  excellent  spirits. 

We  struck  out  on  the  road,  and  marched  several  miles  be- 
fore the  sun  became  warm ;  but  when  it  did  so,  it  was  exces- 
sively hot.  The  road  was  very  dusty.  It  lay  for  the  whole 
march  up  and  down  the  high  mountainous  spurs,  and  over 
bodies  of  good  valley  land,  but  with  no  habitations. — The 
general,  being  used  up  from  the  effects  of  his  fall,  and  in 
much  pain,  was  compelled  to  halt,  and  wait  for  the  buggy 
of  the  surgeon  of  his  staff,  Dr.  Wright.  This  was  the  only 
buggy  in  the  army,  and  was  very  convenient  for  the  doctor. 
While  halted,  we  of  the  guard  got  round  under  the  musquit 
bushes,  for  shade.  There  was  no  other  growth  in  this  dry 
valley,  save  the  many  varieties  of  the  cactus,  some  of  which 
have  already  been  described. — The  country  here  was  covered 
with  them. 


WATCHED   BY  PARTIES   OF  LANCERS.  349 

Some  of  the  scenery  passed  over  to-day,  of  hill  and  val- 
ley, was  indeed  striking. — From  the  top  of  the  hills  we  were 
watched  all  day,  closely,  by  parties  of  the  enemy  ;  and  some 
talk  was  among  the  boys  of  the  prospect  of  a  fight  before 
long  ;  for  there  were  so  many  of  these  parties,  and  some  so 
numerous,  that  it  was  thought  that  the  enemy  might  be 
crossing  from  Tula,  on  the  west,  to  give  us  a  trial ;  but  they 
molested  us  none.  Captain  Caswell  made  a  chase  after  one 
party,  on  a  high  hill,  but  they  saw  him  so  far,  coming  through 
the  valley,  that  they  were  off  beyond  the  reach  of  pursuit,  and 
that  evening  we  saw  no  more  of  them.  The  spy-glass  showed 
more  of  these  than  we  had  an  idea  of  without  it,  all  lancers. 
It  was  provoking  to  the  men,  to  see  them  far  up  on  the 
heights,  and  know  that  it  was  useless  to  try  to  catch  them. 

At  four,  P.  M.,  after  marching  near  twenty-five  miles,  we 
encamped  near  a  pretty  brook  of  bluish  water,  which  afford- 
ed an  abundant  supply  for  the  whole  army.  As  it  had  been 
so  very  dusty  to-day,  another  washing  scene  took  place,  after 
which  all  betook  themselves  to  their  supper  and  rest. — This 
encampment  was  on  some  hills  covered  with  a  scattered 
growth  of  large  musquit  trees  ;  with  but  little  cactus.  We 
of  the  guard  found  much  grass  for  our  horses.  How  the  re- 
giment made  out  we  knew  not,  for  we  went  not  to  it,  not 
knowing  on  what  part  of  the  ground  it  was.* 

Sunday,  January  17th.  There  is  no  Sabbath  in  camp  ;  one 
day  is  precisely  like  another,  and  it  is  with  the  greatest  dif- 
ficulty that  one  can  tell  what  day  it  is ; — in  fact  but  few 
know ; — not  one  man  in  twenty  can  tell  whether  it  is  Sun- 
day or  Thursday,  Monday  or  Saturday ;  they  know  not,  nei- 
ther do  they  care. 

We  were  on  the  march  early,  the  general  riding  in  a  little 

*  When  there  are  several  regiments  together,  after  encamping,  there  is  not  much 
running  about. — One  might  almost  as  easily  find  a  particular  person  in  a  city  in  which 
he  was  not  acquainted,  as  to  find  him  in  a  camp;  he  will  have  as  many  inquiries  to 
make  to  do  it ; — and,  besides,  men  do  not  become  so  much  acquainted  as  is,  by  many, 
supposed.  A  person  will  get  acquainted  with  all  his  own  company  in  two  or  three 
weeks,  but  not  with  all  his  regiment  in  as  many  months ; — if  he  does  in  six,  he  has 
a  good  faculty  for  making  acquaintances ; — but  with  other  regiments,  he  knows  only  a 
f«w.  Soldiers  get  into  the  habit  of  staying  in  their  own  companies ; — not  only  so, 
V»it  they  have  a  peculiar  attachment  to  their  own  tents. 


350  MESAS  OR  TABLE  LANDS. 

hospital  wagon,  in  which  he  lay  upon  his  back,  being  unable 
to  sit  up.  The  road  lay  over  high  hills,  beautiful  plains, 
and  extensive  valleys.  The  elevated  range  of  mountains 
we  were  leaving  to  the  right,  where  their  massive  peaks  rose 
up  against  the  western  sky ;  now,  from  distance,  they  ap- 
peared of  a  hazy  blue. 

These  hills,  over  which  we  passed  this  day  and  the  day 
before,  are  indeed  singular, — long  and  straight,  ending  ab- 
ruptly at  either  end  ;  the  tops  level  as  a  line  for  the  whole 
extent.  They  are  called  by  the  Mexicans  mesas,  or  tables, 
(see  plate, page  356).  When  on  them,  some  of  them  are  found 
not  to  be  of  more  than  a  few  yards  in  width ; — to  look 
up  to  them  from  the  valley  below,  you  would  suppose  a 
large  plain  on  the  top  ;  but  when  the  steep  ascent  has 
taken  you  up  perhaps  eight  hundred  or  a  thousand  feet, 
immediately  you  see  far  down  into  the  opposite  valley, 
directly  before  you. — Neither  do  these  long  hills  run  in 
any  particular  way  ;  they  are  thrown,  as  it  were,  in  all  di- 
rections, making  all  angles  with  each  other,  and  enclosing 
fertile  plains  and  valleys  of  every  possible  diversity  of  shape 
and  appearance.  The  lover  of  beautiful  landscape  could 
here  find  enough,  to  give  him  full  scope  for  admiration  of 
changing  scenes,  for  weeks. — These  scenes  are  not  so  rugged 
and  imposing  as  those  of  the  main  chain  of  mountains, 
but  they  are  beautiful,  and  there  is  an  endless  variety  of 
them. 

We  had  seen  but  few  Mexican  soldiers  to-day,  for  the  hills 
are  more  accessible,  and  if  they  had  showed  themselves,  we 
would  have  had  a  better  chance  of  catching  them. — Some 
were  on  a  high  hill  passed  to  the  right,  this  morning. — In 
some  of  the  valleys,  we  passed  over  large  bodies  of  lava, 
though  no  mountain  is  now  volcanic  in  this  immediate  vi- 
cinity. 

At  nine  o'clock,  we  came  to  a  little  brook,  deep,  and  of 
good  water.  Here  the  general,  after  ascertaining  from  the 
Mexican  guide,  Valencia,  that  it  was  twenty-one  miles  to  the 
next  water,  determined  to  encamp,  and  halted  the  advance. 
Col.  Abercrombie  directed  us  of  the  guard  to  encamp  in 
the  same  beautiful  grove  that  the  general  was  to  occupy,  on 


SPORT  OF   THE  INFANTRY.  351 

<• 

the  bank  of  the  creek. — The  army  soon  came  up  and  en- 
camped. 

We  had  now  nearly  the  whole  day  before  us,  in  which  to 
do  as  we  pleased. — The  general's  tents,  and  our  own,  were 
soon  up,  and  some  of  the  guard  went  hunting,  as  did  many 
of  the  infantry. — They  covered,  in  crowds,  the  high  hills 
around,  and  wandered  about  nearly  all  the  day ;  many  of 
them  endeavoring  to  shoot  Mexicans,  not  content  with  deer 
and  turkeys ; — but  they  were  unsuccessful ;  for,  although  they 
came  in  view  of  those  in  the  distance,  they  could  not  come 
up  with  them. — We  had  passed  no  habitations  during  the 
day,  and  the  country  was  entirely  wild,  and  there  were  some 
deer  and  many  turkeys  ; — monkeys  and  apes,  the  Mexicans 
told  us,  were  in  numbers  in  the  hills. — In  a  few  hours,  the 
boys  returned ; — they  had  killed  a  few  turkeys  and  deer. 

There  was  much  fun  and  sport  going  on  among  the  troops 
during  the  day. — The  infantry  have  become  so  accustomed 
to  marching,  that  they  do  not  mind  it  at  all.  The  second 
Tennessee  regiment  appears  to  be  the  liveliest,  although  all 
are  enough  so  ;  but  their  pranks  are  innumerable.  If  there 
are  any  cattle  within  miles  of  the  camp,  they  are  sure  of 
having  them ;  and  not  only  so,  but  Mexicans  stand  a  poor 
chance  with  them  ,  for,  having  some  of  their  men  murdered 
and  shockingly  mutilated,  near  Camargo,  when  they  first 
came  to  the  country,  they  have  since  had  a  hatred  against 
the  class  that  perpetrated  these  murders,  and  have  paid 
them  in  their  own  coin,  sending  many  of  them  to  their  "  long 
home." — The  first  Tennessee  is  much  smaller  in  number 
than  the  second,  having  been  much  cut  up  at  Monterey  ;  but 
they  are  still  an  efficient  body. 

Sometimes,  when,  before  day,  the  reveille  beats,  after  it 
is  done,  a  great  number  commence  to  crow  for  the  dawn, 
and  then,  all  over  the  camp,  such  an  universal  crowing 
takes  place,  that  one  would  think  that  all  the  chicken  cocks 
in  the  country  were  collected,  and  endeavoring  to  outdo  each 
other. — There  was  a  single  little  dog,  that  belonged  to  one 
of  the  infantry,  and  which  accompanied  the  march.  When- 
ever, in  the  morning,  on  the  march,  he  made  his  appearance, 
he  was  received  with  a  yell  that  frightened  the  poor  little 


352  SCENKRY  IN   THE  MESAS. 

fellow  almost  out  of  his  life; — tucking  his  tail  between  hu> 
legs,  he  fled  as  fast  as  his  feet  could  carry  him,  but  always 
took  the  road  ;  and  as  he  passed  company  after  company, 
moving  on,  the  yell  was  kept  up,  until  he  had  cleared  the  in- 
fantry, and  taken  refuge  with  the  horses  of  the  cavalry. — 
Every  morning  he  is  thus  greeted. 

We  came  to  a  new  species  of  palm  tree,  called,  by  the 
Mexicans,  palmetto  del  sol,  or  sun  palm,  (sec  plate,  page  356).—: 
It  is  a  singular  tree, — large  at  the  bottom  of  the  trunk,  of  a 
spongy  texture  of  wood,  rough  bark,  and  but  few  branches  ; 
each  one  of  them  surmounted  by  a  bunch  of  large,  grass-like 
blades,  which  hang  down. — These  are  preferred  by  the  Mex- 
icans to  all  other,  for  the  purpose  of  making  hats,  or  som- 
breros. 

On  the  ground  that  we  occupied  this  night,  Gen.  Twiggs 
encamped  the  night  before,  and  Gen.  Quitman  on  the  next 
following.  Both  the  camps  of  these  divisions  could  plainly 
be  seen  with  the  glass  this  evening,  from  the  top  of  the  high 
rocky  hill  overlooking  ours. 

January  18th.  As  usual  now,  we  were  upon  the  march  be- 
fore day. — When  the  sun  arose,  it  revealed  to  us  a  succession 
of  beautiful  scenery.  Far  on  the  right  appeared  the  lofty 
chain  of  mountains,  which,  by  our  course,  south-east,  we 
were  gradually  leaving ;  this  range  here  running  about 
south.  On  the  left,  too,  far  in  the  distance,  another  range 
of  lofty  irregular  peaks,  rose  up.  Between  these,  the  exten- 
sive valley  was  filled  by  the  high,  flat-topped  hills,  or  mesas, 
mentioned  before,  thrown  promiscuously  around,  in  its  vast 
extent.  Fleecy  clouds,  of  dazzling  whiteness  in  the  sun, 
rolled  around  the  mountains  and  enveloped  the  tops  of  these 
hills,  clinging  to  them,  as  it  were,  by  one  part,  and  the  other 
floating  buoyantly  off  from  them  in  the  still  air;  but  after  the 
sun  became  hot,  the  clouds  vanished,  and  the  whole  scene,  in 
vast  extent,  in  the  embrace  of  the  mountains,  was  below. — 
The  road,  as  before,  lay  up  and  down  these  hills,  and  over 
beautiful  plains. — We  now  came  to  many  palm  trees,  which, 
singly  and  in  groves,  were  seen  for  the  remainder  of  the 
route. — This,  with  the  cactus  gigantea,  the  sun  palm,  the 
sword  palmetto,  the  prickly  pear,  rose-wood,  ebony,  lignum- 


CAMP   ON   RIO   FOLLON-  353 

vitae,  musquit,  and  an  infinite  variety  of  other  cactus,  were 
the  growth  now  met  with,  for  several  days  in  succession. 
For  the  appearance  of  the  first  five,  see  plate,  page  356. 

In  the  middle  of  the  day  it  became  so  dusty,  that  one  could 
hardly  see  across  the  road,  which  appeared,  in  many  places, 
like  a  long  bed  of  dry  ashes. — At  noon  we  came  to  a  rancho, 
the  houses  of  which  were  built  of  stone,  and  white-washed, 
and  were  much  neater  than  others  that  we  had  seen .  Here  the 
contractors  stopped  to  procure  beef  for  the  night;  and  many 
of  the  men  obtained  from  the  peones  pdoncillas  of  about  a 
pound  and  a  half  weight  of  good  sugar,  for  a  ?ncdio,  or  pica- 
yune each.  — Beyond  this  rancho,  we  descended  a  rocky  hill, 
and  came  to  the  Rio  de  Lemon.  (So  called  on  Arista's  map, 
but  by  the  inhabitants  called  Rio  FoUon.  It  flows  to  the 
southward,  and  runs  into  the  river  Panuco).  This  beauti- 
ful, rapid  stream,  we  immediately  forded,  followed  by  the 
infantry,  artillery,  and  train ;  all  of  which  got  a  good  wash- 
ing off;  the  water  taking  the  infantry  nearly  to  their  arm- 
pits. 

After  crossing,  the  general  determined  to  continue  on  far- 
ther, and  we  followed  the  river  down  about  seven  miles,  and 
encamped  along  the  road.  The  musquit  trees,  on  either  hand, 
were  so  thick,  that  the  division  was  much  cramped  for  want 
of  room. — The  tents  were  soon  up,  and  it  being  close  to  the 
river,  every  one  who  could  raise  a  line  and  hook,  went  a  fish- 
ing in  the  deep  stream ;  which  here  was  quiet,  of  gentle  cur- 
rent, and  deep  ;  though  falling  above  in  large  cascades,  over 
massive  rocks.  It  was  stocked  with  catfish,  and  the  finest 
perch ;  and  many  of  the  men  caught  large  strings  of  their. 

Mexican  lancers  have  been  during  the  day,  hanging  round 
us,  but  have  kept  off'  far ;  or  else,  when  near,  were  so  con- 
cealed, in  the  thickets,  that  we  did  not  perceive  them. — We 
passed  to-day,  three  large  crosses  by  the  side  of  the  road,  each 
with  a  pile  of  small  stones  around  it ;  two  of  them  were  old 
and  decaying ;  the  other  was  firm,  and  had  been  erected  at  a 
later  date  ;  it  had,  upon  the  cross-bar  these  words,  in  red 
paint :  "  Un  Ave- Maria,  un  Padre  nucstro  por  la  alma  de  Juan 
Gonzales,  que  cstaba  matado  el  25  de  Abril,  de  1842."  (One 
prayer  to  the  Virgin  Mary,  one  Lord's  prayer,  for  the  soul  of 
23 


354  CROSSES   OVER   THE  MURDERED. 

Juan  Gonzales,  who  was  murdered  on  the  25th  of  Aprilf 
1842.)  We  had  often  seen  these  crosses  and  piles  of  stones 
before,  and  we  met  them  often,  by  the  highways,  afterwards; 
but  few  of  the  men,  however,  made  any  inquiry  into  the 
reason  of  their  erection  ;  many  passed  along,  thinking  them 
to  be  sign-posts  ! — Whenever  a  Mexican  is  murdered,  one  of 
these  is  put  up,  by  the  people  of  the  neighborhood,  on  the 
ground  where  the  blood  is  spilled,  and  the  soul  departs ;  and 
the  reason  is  this  :  as  such  a  person  died  without  confession 
to  the  priest,  or  absolution  given  of  his  sins,  or  partaking  of 
the  sacrament ;  and  without  the  extreme  unction,  or  anoint- 
ing with  the  holy  oil ; — all  of  which  are  administered  to  a 
dying  man, — he  consequently  goes  directly  into  purgatory, 
with  his  sins  upon  his  head,  unabsolved,  unanointed,  unsanc- 
tified ;  and,  consequently,  in  a  most  terrible  situation ;  and, 
therefore,  these  crosses  are  erected,  calling  on  all  passers-by 
to  say  these  prayers  for  that  soul,  in  order  that  the  intense 
suffering,  consequent  upon  entering  purgatory  in  such  a  con- 
dition, may  be  alleviated  ;  for  they  quote  from  the  Bible,  that 
the  "  prayers  of  the  righteous  availeth  much,"  and  a  large 
number  of  these  prayers,  they  believe,  will  induce  the  Vir- 
gin Mary  to  use  her  intercession  with  our  Saviour,  to  have 
such  a  soul  placed  in  a  better  situation. 

Each  pious  "  cristiano, "  as  they  call  themselves,  that 
passes,  turns  to  the  cross,  says  over  the  prayers,  and  in  to- 
ken thereof,  places  a  small  stone  on  the  heap  there  accumu- 
lating. These  heaps  are  never  disturbed ;  not  even  a  boy 
can  be  found  that  will  take  off  from  the  pile  one  of  the  little 
stones  that  has  been  blessed  with  a  prayer ;  but  rather,  he, 
also,  in  turn,  stops,  says  his  prayer,  and  adds  another  stone. 
— The  women  never  neglect  it,  and  the  author  was  informed, 
by  a  gentleman  who  had  long  resided  in  Mexico,  that  the- 
largest  pile  he  had  ever  seen  there,  was  placed  almost  en- 
tirely by  women  ;  and  this  appeared  the  more  singular,  as  the 
object  of  their  solicitude  was  killed  by  an  injured  husband 
in  public  !  —  Distance  marched  this  day,  about  twenty-five 
miles. 

January  19/A.  At  an  early  hour  we  were  on  the  route,  and 
marched  five  miles  by  the  time  it  was  well  light.  That  dis- 


CROSSING  OF  THE   RIO   FOLLON.  355 

tance  brought  us  to  the  Lemon  or  Follon  river  again,  which 
we  immediately  forded,  and  the  infantry  got  another  wetting, 
which  was  not  very  agreeable  to  them,  for  it  was  too 
early  in  the  day.  It  was  amusing  to  look  back  from  the 
bank  opposite,  and  see  them  crossing,  and  hear  their  noise 
and  yells.  We  thought  the  Illinoisans  made  noise  and  fun 
enough  about  such  fordings,  but  the  Tennesseeans  made 
the  more.  The  water  run  off  from  all  when  they  got  over; 
but  they  did  not  mind  the  wetting,  save  some  who  did  not 
succeed  in  keeping  their  crackers  dry. — There  was  a  rancho 
on  the  top  of  the  hill,  with  many  houses. 

While  on  this  bank,  one  of  the  beef  contractors,  named 
Bigelow,  found  occasion  to  go  back  to  the  rancho  mentioned 
yesterday,  twelve  miles,  to  see  about  the  supply  of  beef  to 
be  furnished  to  Quitman's  Brigade,  for  the  night.  He  was 
warned  not  to  do  it ;  but  mounting  his  splendid  horse,  he  de- 
termined to  try  it,  and  away  he  went.* 

After  crossing  the  Follon,  the  hills  became  lower,  and 
the  mountains  were  but  just  discernible  on  the  distant  ho- 
rizon in  the  rear.  We  now  passed  over  a  beautiful  country 
of  hills  and  rolling  plains,  with  more  grass  than  we  had 
before  seen  in  several  weeks ;  groves  of  the  palm  tree  were 
here  and  there,  scattered  over  the  face  of  the  country. 

About  three,  P.  M.,  after  a  pleasant  march  of  twenty-two 
miles,  we  encamped  on  the  banks  qf  a  pretty  brook,  and  the 
general  selecting  his  quarters  under  the  foliage  of  a  large 
rose-wood  tree,  surrounded  by  others  of  thick  shade,  Col. 
Abercrombie  appointed  to  us  our  place  about  fifty  yards  from 
him,  under  a  shade  equally  pleasant,  and  so  thick  that  we 

*  He  passed  the  wagon  train,  not  yet  all  crossed,  then  the  rear  guard. — Before  he 
got  to  the  encampment  just  left,  a  party  of  Mexican  cavalry  filed  into  the  road  before 
him. — He  was  about  to  turn  back,  when  he  saw  a  large  number  behind  him ; — then 
putting  spurs  to  his  noble  horse,  he  broke  through  the  front  line,  and,  amid  the  volley 
fired  at  him,  received  but  one  ball,  which  shattered  his  right  leg  below  the  knee ;  but 
he  kept  his  seat,  while  they  pursued  him  back  over  the  Follon,  and  by  the  rancho 
spoken  of,  until  he  came  in  view  of  part  of  Capt.  Haynes'  company,  under  Lieut. 
Chamblis,  the  advance  guard  of  Quitman's  division.  He  was  immediately  placed  in 
the  hospital  wagon,  and  made  the  rest  of  the  march  in  that  way,  being  unable  to  walk 
for  many  weeks  afterward. 


356  LA  PALMA  BENDITA. 

concluded  not  to  put  up  our  tents,  but  to  fix  our  sleeping- 
places  in  this,  a  sort  of  natural  arbor. 

The  general's  marquees  were  soon  up,  and  we  sat  down 
to  conversation,  having  nothing  else  to  do,  save  to  watch 
the  long  lines  of  cavalry  and  infantry,  followed  by  the  wa- 
gon train,  that  were  coming  down  over  the  beautiful  hills, 
towards  the  camp,  as  they  continually  arrived. — Col.  Aber- 
crombie  came  down  Ao  us,  and  asked  if  any  one  would  cut 
down  a  large  palm  tree  that  stood  near,  a  most  majestic  ob- 
ject ;  to  oblige  him,  as  he  wished  to  examine  the  "  cabbage," 
or  tender  wrapping  of  the  buts  of  the  leaves,  at  the  top  of 
the  trunk,  which  cabbage  the  Mexicans  here  eat,  and  pro- 
nounce it  fine.  A  dozen  men  instantly  offered  to  serve  the 
colonel,  (who,  having  the  power  to  command,  chose,  rather  r 
in  such  a  cases  to  request),  and  procuring  axes,  the  noble 
tree  was  soon  stretched  on  the  ground.  Its  leaves  were  ta- 
ken off  from  the  body,  and  the  top  of  this  cut  off.  After  strip- 
ping the  tough  outside  covering  off,  the  inside  was  found 
white  and  tender,  and  somewhat  like  a  cabbage ;  this, however, 
was  small,  not  weighing  more  than  seven  or  eight  pounds. 
(We  afterwards  found  these  "  cabbages  ;'  to  sell  in  the  mar- 
kets of  Tampico,  and  other  places). — For  the  appearance  of 
this  tree,  and  those  of  others  which  have  been  mentioned  as 
growing  about  here,  see  the  plate  opposite,*  where  it  is 
numbered  2. 

The  others,  1,  3,  4,  5,  have  been  mentioned  before,  in  this 
work.  This  palm  is  connected  with  one  of  the  religious 
ceremonies  of  this  people,  which  we  will  mention.  The 
tree  is  called,  by  the  Mexicans,  in  distinction  from  all  others 
of  the  palm  kind,  la  palma  bendila,  or  the  blessed  palm. — 
(Valencia,  our  Mexican  guide,  said  that  this  was  the  tree 

*  This  plate,  showing  most  accurately  the  appearance  of  the  plants  and  trees,  was 
drawn  upon  the  ground  by  the  author.  A  single  cavalry  soldier  was  placed  in  the 
foreground,  to  show,  by  comparison,  the  height  of  the  trees ;  and  the  engraver  was 
directed  to  copy  these  in  every  line,  and  moreover,  to  place  a  small  scouting  party  in 
the  back  ground.  To  the  author's  surprise,  when  the  picture  was  completed,  he  found 
that  the  engraver  had  put  in  the  scouting  party,  but  had  set  them  all  to  cooking ;  and  the 
volumes  of  smoke  inserted,  would  convey  the  idea  that  the  scouts  were  more  anxious 
for  their  dinner,  than  to  catch  the  enemy,  that,  at  this  place,  were  hanging  so  thickly 
around  us.  This  is  wrong ;  and  the  reader  will  therefore,  in  imagination,  put  out  the 


»T  PALM   SUNDAY.  359 

whose  branches  were  broken  off  and  strewed  in  the  way  of 
our  Saviour,  in  his  entry  into  Jerusalem,  mentioned  by  the 
evangelists,  and  that,  on  this  account,  it  was  since  prized  by 
Christians.  This  may  be  the  opinion  (St.  John,  diap.  12, 
verse  13,)  taught  them  by  the  priests,  and  probably  is. — It 
was  the  only  reason  that  the  author  received,  for  the  custom 
of  blessing  the  leaves,  on  Palm  Sunday). — Palm  Sunday  is  a 
festival  kept  by  all  the  population  of  Mexico.  It  comes  on, 
or  near  the  27th  of  March,  of  each  year. — On  that  day,  the 
people,  in  their  holiday  dresses,  take  bunches  of  the  large 
leaves  of  this  tree,  and  carry  them  to  the  priests,  who,  in 
a  formal  and  solemn  manner,  bless  them,  thus  making  them 
sacred.  They  are  then  taken  home,  torn  up  into  strips, 
and  plaited  in  numberless  beautiful  forms ;  every  one  has  a 
cross  worked  in  it,  trimmed  with  ornaments  of  ribbon,  &c.,  and 
sent  as  presents.  They  are  from  friend  to  friend,  from  young 
to  old,  and  the  contrary,  and  especially  passed  between  the 
young  of  both  sexes,  as  sacred  tokens  of  love.  Crosses  are 
plaited,  of  the  same  material,  and  put  up  over  the  windows 
and  doors  of  each  house,  and  these  so  guarded,  cannot  be 
entered  by  Satan,  or  any  of  his  evil  spirits. — On  this  day  is 
general  rejoicing,  and  all  are  made  holy.  The  priests,  in 
the  morning,  consecrate,  in  every  church,  a  large  quantity 
of  holy  water,  called  agua  bendita,  which  is  sent  for  by  all 
persons,  drank,  and  used  for  sickness — with  great  success, 
they  say.  No  wonder,  then,  that  the  Mexicans  regard  la 
pcdma  bendita  with  attachment,  and  call  it  "blessed." 

The  whole  of  this  tree  is  not  shown  in  the  picture,  but 
enough  is  visible  to  show  its  form  and  beauty.  A  diamond 
shaped  net-work,  composed  of  the  buts  of  the  older  leaves, 
which  have  fallen  off,  sometimes  descends  half  way  down 

engraver's  fire,  and  place  the  party  in  a  position  of  vigilance. — The  soldier  in  front, 
also,  though  dressed  correctly,  and  having  all  right  about  him,  has,  by  the  engraver's 
command,  taken  off  his  sword  and  cartridge  box,  and  set  them  up  against  that  sun 
palm,  together  with  his  gun,  which,  too,  the  engraver  has  cut,  not  a  carbine,  but  rather 
a  fowling  piece.  This  is  incorrect :  for  no  scout  was  caught  in  this  fix. — His  holsters 
are  right,  but  his  sword  should  be  upon  his  side,  and  his  carbine  slung  to  his  shoulder, 
or  in  his  hand,  ready  to  act  in  an  instant. — Owing  to  these  mistakes,  the  author 
would  not  have  inserted  this  picture,  but  for  the  remarkable  correctness  of  the  trees 
and  plants  which  it  represents,  and  the  excellent  workmanship  of  the  whole  cut 


3GO  USE  OF   PLANTS   SEEN   IN   PLATE. 

the  trunk ;  in  this  one,  however,  but  little  of  it  can  be  seen, 
directly  under  the  leaves,  at  the  top  of  the  visible  part  of  the 
trunk. 

The  column-like  cactus,  growing  up  under  the  tree,  marked 
(No.  1)  beneath,  is  called  by  the  Mexicans,  la  cactus  gigantea, 
or  more  commonly,  brazos  dc  Alexandra  (arms  of  Alexander) ; 
it  bears  a  fruit,  something  in  shape,  like  a  pear. 

The  trunk  of  the  sword  palmetto,  (No.  3)  is  only  used  for 
posts  for  fences;  gardens  and  yards  being  enclosed  with 
them,  when  split,  and  set  to  one  another,  like  pickets.  The 
root  of  this  is  called  article;  is  soft  and  juicy,  and  rubbed  upon 
clothing,  is  used  for  soap ;  and  is  effectual  in  removing  dirt 
and  stains  ;  in  many  sections,  this  tree  is  known  by  the 
name  of  the  soap-plant ;  and  was  so  called  by  some  of  our 
soldiers. 

The  palmetto  del  sol.  or  palm  of  the  sun  (No.  4,)  is  used 
only  as  said  before,  for  making  sombreros  (hats)  and  little 
baskets. 

The  prickly  pear  is  part  of  their  national  emblem,  and  can 
be  seen  on  every  Mexican  dollar,  under  the  eagle. — The  use 
made  of  it  in  this  section,  is  to  feed  their  mules  and  cattle 
on,  when  there  is  no  grass.  To  do  this,  they  cut  it  down,  and 
making  a  fire  of  brush,  throw  the  thick  leaves  into  it,  which 
half  roasts  them,  and  burns  the  needles  off; — in  this  state  it 
is  eaten  greedily  by  their  animals.  It  is  also  used  when 
thus  roasted,  to  cure  wounds  and  bruises  upon  their  mules 
and  horses,  and  for  that  purpose,  is  very  effectual.  Farther 
south,  it  feeds  the  cochineal  insect,  which  is  so  valuable  for 
dyeing. — Two  flat-topped  hills,  such  as  we  had  been  passing 
over  for  some  days  before  this,  are  in  the  back  ground. 

In  the  camp,  this  evening,  we  had  quite  a  scene,  occasioned  , 
by  the  dry  grass  taking  fire  ;  and  this  spread  with  great  ra- 
pidity, scorching  and  snapping,  among  the  prickly  pear;  it 
gave  quick  employment  to  hundreds,  to  extinguish  it ;  which, 
in  the  camp,  was  done  without  much  labor,  but,  outside  of 
that,  it  ran  for  miles,  and  could  be  seen  by  its  light,  after 
dark. — On  the  trees  round  the  camp,  and  in  the  thickets,  were 
numbers  of  the  guano,  a  new  species  of  animal  to  us.  They 
are  of  the  lizard  family  ; — one  kind  were  jet  black  in  color ; 


DIFFERENT   SPECIES  OF  GUANOS.  361 

the  body  of  one  of  these  was  about  a  foot  long,  and  the  tail 
as  much  longer  ;  legs  like  a  lizard,  but  large  in  proportion  to 
the  body ;  sharp  teeth,  bright  eyes,  and  very  long,  keen  claws  ; 
from  the  head  a  row  of  black  bristles  ran  along  the  back ; 
the  remainder  of  the  surface  was  naked,  and  of  a  shining 
black;  the  stout  tail  was  covered  with  knotty  projections; 
taking  them  altogether,  this  kind  were  ugly  looking  "var- 
mints."— Another  kind  was  more  pleasing  to  the  eye,  but  still 
as  singular  in  shape;  their  color  was  green;  the  body  of  one 
about  four  inches  long;  had  a  high,  flat  crest  on  the  head; 
with  the  tail  slender,  and  nearly  two  feet  in  length  :  giving 
the  animal  the  appearance  of  a  green  snake,  with  a  large 
head,  and  four  legs  near  to  it.  They  were  all  extremely 
agile,  and  run  over  the  ground  and  up  the  trees,  with  sur- 
prising quickness.  Col.  Campbell,  of  the  first  Tennessee, 
had  caught  one  near  his  tent,  of  this  latter  kind ;  and  we  ex- 
amined it  closely. — Our  Mexican  guide,  Valencia,  informed 
us,  that  there  were  many  kinds  of  them  in  this  part  of  the 
country ;  that  all  were  harmless,  save  the  large  black  ones, 
which  bite  severely. 

Gen.  Patterson  sent  on  a  detachment  of  our  regiment  of 
cavalry,  to  an  hacienda  ahead,  to  procure  corn  ;  for  the  sup- 
ply in  the  train  was  about  giving  out.  These  were  to  re- 
main at  the  hacienda  until  we  came  up. — We  had  gained, 
this  day,  five  miles  on  Gen.  Twiggs  ;  he  encamping  last  night 
that  distance  in  our  rear,  and  passing  over  this  ground  to- 
day. 

January  2Qth.  The  reveille  was  beat,  fires  lit  up,  break- 
fasts finished,  wagons  loaded,  and  all  were  on  the  march  by 
daylight.  The  infantry,  as  we  passed  them,  were,  from  one 
end  of  the  line  to  the  other,  enjoying  their  usual  amount  of 
fun  and  sport,  as  they  marched  on. — The  road  lay  over  ex- 
tensive, open  valleys  ;  grassy,  and  with,  here  and  there  among 
them,  thick  groves  of  timber ;  and  then,  again,  nothing  for 
miles,  save  dry  grass,  and,  occasionally,  a  musquit  bush. — 
There  were  many  rocky  hills  on  the  first  part  of  the  day's 
march. — Nine  miles  distance  brought  us  to  the  hacienda  of 
Alomita,  (or  little  cottonwood).  Some  few  small  trees  of  cot- 
onwood  grew  on  the  bank  of  the  stream,  that  flowed  along 


362  HACIENDA  OF  ALOMITA. 

the  base  of  the  hill  upon  which  the  hacienda'is  situated. — We 
crossed  the  stream,  toiled  up  the  hill,  and  entered  the  town , 
(for  the  collection  of  houses  of  the  peones  of  the  estate,  made 
quite  a  town).  Here  we  found  the  company  of  cavalry  that 
had  been  sent  on  by  the  general  last  night.  They  and  their 
horses  had  fared  sumptuously,  by  command  of  the  owner  of 
the  hacienda,  Don  Juan  Cardonas — the  fairest  complexioned 
Mexican  we  had  seen ;  affable,  polite ;  a  gentleman  in  ap- 
pearance, and  a  prince  in  estate.  When  he  heard  that  Gen. 
Patterson  had  come  in, — which  was  earlier  in  the  morning 
than  he  expected — for  the  general,  taking  only  the  guard 
with  him,  had  left  the  advance  of  the  army  three  miles 
back, — he  came  out  in  a  hurry  to  meet  him ;  was  very  anx- 
ious to  have  him  alight,  and  take  a  cup  of  coffee,  &c. ;  but 
Patterson  could  not  do  it.  He  only  wanted  corn  ;  and  the 
demand  was  made  for  it,  and  a  reasonable  price  offered. — 
(Gen.  Patterson  had  improved  in  this  respect,  of  attending  to 
the  wants  of  horses  as  of  men,  since  he  had  been  with  old 
Zach.  again ;  and,  on  this  march  to  Tampico,  we  had  no  rea- 
son to  complain,  for  want  of  forage.) — We  remained  halted, 
at  the  edge  of  the  square  or  plaza  of  the  hacienda,  while 
the  general  and  the  "  don "  made  their  arrangements,  by 
means  of  an  interpreter,  Selby,  an  American  who  accom- 
panied us.  Don  Juan  was  a  man  who  had  traveled  much, 
and  knew  a  little  English. 

We  were  struck  with  the  population  of  his  hacienda,  which 
could  not  have  been  less  than  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred  — 
The  large  buildings  for  himself,  his  administrador,  or  overseer, 
officers,  &c.,  called  la  casa  grandc  ;  were  built  of  stone,  and 
occupied  two  sides  of  the  large  square : — part  of  one  side 
was  occupied  by  the  church,  which  was  not  a  capilla,  like 
the  other  haciendas,  but  a  parochia,  in  which  a  curate  offi- 
ciated, having  ecclesiastical  jurisdiction  over  all  the  capUlas 
in  the  surrounding  country,  comprehended  in  the  limits  of 
his  curacy.  The  parochia  was  finely  built  of  stone,  and  a 
great  profusion  of  carved  work,  of  large  proportions,  covered 
its  front  towards  the  square.  Three  heavy  bells  were  in  its 
tower,  and  in  religious  convenience,  the  people  of  this  haci- 
enda seemed  to  be  as  well  accommodated  as  though  they 


SUPPLY   OF   CORN   FROM  HACIENDA. 

were  in  a  city.  The  curate,  with  his  long  black  robe,  and 
three-cornered  cap,  walked  out  to  the  corner,  and  politely 
touched  his  hat  to  the  guard,  with  the  expression  "  Buenos 
dias  Seftores."  He  had  a  good-humored,  intelligent  counte- 
nance, pleasant  appearance,  and  seemed  in  no  ways  alarmed 
or  disconcerted  at  our  presence ;  but  on  the  contrary,  all 
the  time  he  was  there,  he  seemed  to  be  interested  in  us  ;  and 
especially  his  attention  was  taken  by  the  size  of  the  horses. 
One  of  his  tenientcs,  or  under  priests,  was  with  him,  and  for 
a  few  moments  they  carried  on  a  brisk  conversation,  and 
passed  back  toward  la  casa  grande. 

Their  conduct  was  quite  a  contrast  to  that  of  the  capillan, 
mentioned  on  January  4th,  who,  as  we  appeared  in  sight, 
opened  the  ceremony  of  "  nuestro  Senor  esta  patente"  and  by 
the  dismal  tolling  of  the  bell,  set  the  whole  populace  of  the 
hacienda,  wherever  they  were  scattered  within  the  sound,  to 
crossing  themselves,  and  praying  earnestly  to  the  saints  for 
deliverance. 

This  valley  adjoining  the  town,  (for  so  we  might  call  the 
hacienda),  spread  out,  below  the  crossing  of  the  road,  into  a 
spacious  area,  which  was  watered  by  ditches  that  diverted 
the  water  from  the  brook  ; — this  valley  was  very  fertile,  and 
productive,*  and  cultivated  with  care.  Don  Juan  promised 
the  general  immediately  to  send  a  large  number  of  his  pe- 
ones  into  this  valley  and  gather  one  piece  of  corn,  (which 
contained  about  fifty  acres),  and  have  it  shelled  out  in  season 
for  the  wagons  to  take  this  evening.  He  was  to  receive  one 
dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  per  fanega,  nearly  two  bushels. 
(This  seemed  a  heavy  job,  but  with  the  force  he  had,  he  ea- 
sily accomplished  it). 

'Although  this  town  was  so  large,  yet  it  was  but  part  of 


*  Immense  tracts  of  land,  fertile  in  quality  of  soil,  are  left  entirely  uncultivated  in 
Mexico,  in  every  part,  for  the  want  of  water  upon  them.  As  a  general  rule,  no  land 
is  fit  to  cultivate,  save  that  which  can  be  watered  by  ditches  ;  for  the  long  dry  season 
parches  every  other.  Many  tracts  of  these  uncultivated  regions,  however,  afford,  du- 
ring the  rainy  season,  and  for  some  time  afterward,  excellent  grass  for  pasturage; — 
other  immense  bodies,  about  in  the  mountains,  are  perfectly  bare ;  and  where  so,  no 
animal  lives.  Where  water  is  plenty,  as  was  the  case  from  Victoria  to  Tampico,  at 
every  few  miles  distance,  some  deer  and  other  wild  animals  are  found.  The  hacien- 
das and  ranches  are  only  on  or  near  the  streams. 


EXTENT   OF   HACIENDA. 

the  domain  of  Don  Juan. — On  a  high  hill,  far  to  the  north, 
was  another  town  to  be  seen ; — this,  too,  was  part  of  the 
same  hacienda.* 

The  head  of  the  cavalry  had  come  up  to  the  town  during 
the  time  in  which  this  arrangement  was  going  on,  and  the 
general,  followed  by  us,  moved  ahead. 

He  gave  permission  for  one  out  of  each  of  the  three 
messes  in  the  guard  to  leave  the  lines  to  hunt ;  with  the  cau- 
tion, however,  to  look  out  for  the  lancers,  a  body  of  whom, 
we  had  learned,  were  in  the  vicinity,  and  had  remained  at 
this  hacienda  two  nights  before. — Three  men  went ;  but  two 
of  them  soon  returned  ; — the  other  one  we  saw  no  more  of 
until  night. — We  found  the  hills  now  spreading  out  in  an 
undulating  surface,  beautiful  to  the  eye,  with,  here  and  there, 
groves  of  la  pal  ma  bendita,  musquit,  sword  palmetto,  &c. 
At  other  places,  there  was  nothing  on  them  but  grass. 

The  range  of  mountains  were  now  at  a  great  distance  in 
the  rear ;  the  mesas,  or  flat-topped  hills  had  disappeared ; — 
but  we  were  nearing  the  lofty  isolated  peak  of  Mont  Ber- 
nal,  which  was  to  our  front  and  right,  to  the  southward  of 
our  route,  as  we  passed  down  toward  the  coast. — Eighteen 
miles  march  from  Alomita  brought  us  to  a  pretty  creek, 
with  high  banks,  at  which  Gen.  Twiggs  had  encamped  the 
night  before  :  the  general  crossed  the  creek,  and  selected  the 
place  for  his  marquees  ;  and  our  situation  was  appointed 
near.  The  regiment  of  cavalry  followed,  and  encamped 

*  These  haciendas  are  on  tracts  of  land  granted,  in  former  times,  to  particular  indi- 
viduals, by  the  king  of  Spain. — No  actual  surveys  were  made,  but  the  boundaries  were 
designated  by  the  points  in  view,  and  the  principal  intention  being,  fully  to  cover  the 
water  courses.  They  are  described  in  the  grant,  somewhat  in  this  way : — "  Beginning  at 
the  crest  of  such  a  mountain  named,  at  ihe  commencement  of  its  descent ;  running  about 
such  a  course,  towards  another  mountain  named,  so  many  hours'  or  days'  ride ; — 
thence  towards  another  mountain,  atx>ut  such  a  course,  to  the  mountain,  or  so  many 
hours'  ride  ; "  and  so  on  through  the  whole.  Notwithstanding  the  vagueness  of  the 
boundaries,  few  disputes  arise,  because  they  are  almost  always  bounded  by  dry  tracts, 
of  no  value. 

These  haciendas  are  often  very  large,  some  of  them  taking  in  a  thousand  or  more  of 
square  miles.  When  one  is  sold,  the  original  grant  from  the  king  of  Spain  is  assigned 
over  to  the  purchaser,  accompanied  by  another  instrument  containing  the  indebtedness 
of  each  peon  on  it,  and  these  are  also  passed  over,  and  the  peones  labor  for  the  new 
master  as  thev  did  for  the  old. 


SLIGHT  ATTACK   BY   LANCERS.  365 

on  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek  ;  while  the  three  regi- 
ments of  infantry  crossed  it.  The  wagon  train  was  on  both 
sides. 

In  the  evening  our  mess -mate,  R.  S.  Courteney,  came 
in,  his  horse  dripping  with  sweat. — He  had  been  chased 
over  hill  and  valley,  for  some  distance,  by  several  lancers, 
who  only  desisted  when  coming  on  a  hill  in  view  of 
the  army.  The  speed  of  his  horse  saved  him. — Courteney 
thought  he  had  made  a  narrow  escape,  and  at  night  he  pat- 
ted his  horse,  rubbed  him,  and  talked  to  him,  as  though  he 
thought  that  the  animal  could  understand  his  words. — (The 
lancers  this  day  attacked  the  rear  of  Gen.  Quitman's  brigade. 
They  only  killed  one  man,  however,  and  took  another  pris- 
oner, when  they  were  dispersed  by  some  of  Captain  Haynes' 
company,  of  our  regiment,  now  with  that  brigade). 

Much  anxiety  was  felt  in  company  G,  of  the  cavalry,  for 
the  safety  of  two  men,  corporal  Rhoton  and  private  N.  W. 
Ragland,  who  left  the  lines  to  scout  and  hunt,  and  had  not 
come  up  at  night.* — Distance  marched  this  day,  twenty- 
seven  miles. 

Tfiursday,  January  21st.  We  resumed  the  march  at  an 
early  hour. — We  had  now  come  down  into  an  extensive 
rolling  prairie,  covered  with  grass,  but  mostly  dead; — the 
mountains  still  faintly  visible  in  the  distance,  in  the  rear ; 
but  on  the  right,  over  a  great  distance  of  rolling  prairie,  the 
mountain  of  Bernal  raised  its  lofty  peak  above  the  clouds, 
and  stood  out  alone,  a  massive,  noble  object,  overlooking  the 
whole  country.  It  rose  gradually,  for  a  long  distance,  and 
then,  as  it  were,  suddenly  shot  its  vast  bulk  upwards,  nearly 
perpendicularly ;  appearing,  from  its  very  loneliness,  the 
more  imposing. — Its  summit  was  rent  and  seamed,  and  it 
presented  every  appearance  of  an  extinct  volcano  (See  plate 


*  The  next  day,  Capt.  Sneed,  of  company  G,  sent  back  four  men,  to  look  for  the  lost 
two ;  but  the  day  passed  away,  the  march  was  made,  and  none  had  come  up  at  the 
succeeding  morning.  The  company  was  halted,  and  half  remained  at  camp,  while  the 
other  half  went  back  for  the  six,  and  were  fortunate  enough  to  find  them ; — the  four 
had  found  the  lost  two,  and  were  bringing  them  up.  The  Mexicans  had  not  seen 
them,  being  deterred  from  coming  near  the  road  by  Quitman's  brigade  advancing. — 
The  company  was  reunited,  and  all  joined  the  regiment  the  succeeding  day. 


366  HACIENDA   OF   CHOCOI. 

page  368). — We  passed  over  the  rolling  lands  of  fine  soil,  but 
dry,  with  much  grass  upon  them,  on  which  large  droves  of 
horses,  mules,  and  cattle  were  feeding;  and  at  ten  A.  M., 
after  a  march  of  twenty-one  miles,  we  arrived  at  the  hacienda 
of  Chocoi ;  after  passing  on  the  route,  several  ranches,  and 
much  cultivated  land,  enclosed  with  brush  fences. 

We  halted  a  little  while  in  front  of  la  casa  grandc  (the  own- 
er's house),  on  a  sort  of  square,  and  then  proceeded  on  near 
the  tanque,  or  artificial  pond  of  water,  for  the  use  of  the  ha- 
cienda ;  here,  turning  to  the  right,  we  passed  down  a  gentle 
slope  along  a  fence  of  musquit  sticks  and  brush,  and  the  gen- 
eral selected  his  quarters  under  the  shade  of  some  lignum- 
vitae  and  rose-wood  trees,  in  the  little  valley,  while  our  posi- 
tion, by  the  aid,  was  appointed  to  us,  up  a  little  higher,  near 
the  musquit  fence. 

The  cavalry  soon  came  in,  in  long  columns,  and  filed  to 
the  left  of  the  hacienda,  encamping  in  and  about  the  ex- 
tended lots. — The  infantry  regiments  followed ;  and  their 
position  was  assigned  in  the  middle  space,  on  the  bare 
knolls,  and  around  the  tanque ;  while  most  of  the  wagon 
train  drew  up  in  long  lines  between  the  general  and  the 
infantry. — As  usual,  two  hours,  or  more,  elapsed,  before  the 
rear  guard  made  its  appearance  ;  and  shortly  after  that,  the 
tents  were  all  up,  in  every  direction,  and  all  were  busy  in  the 
camp,  which  immediately  appeared  as  though  it  had  been 
occupied  a  month  or  more. 

Wood  was  scarce ;  plenty  of  green  lignum-vitse,  on  the 
little  hills  on  the  right — this,  in  its  outside  appearance  of 
bark,  resembles  hickory ;  but  did  not  burn  like  it, — for  one 
might  as  well  attempt  to  burn  a  brick,  as  a  piece  of  it  green. 
— The  men  of  the  guard  being  obliged  to  have  fuel,  pulled 
up  some  of  the  stakes,  and  burned  a  little  of  the  brush  of  the 
old  fence.  It  was  amusing  to  see  them  watch  the  general's 
quartern,  while  they  collected  enough  of  this  for  fires ;  which 
they  knew  would  expose  them  to  severe  punishment,  if  found 
out;  but  hunger,  and  the  want  of  fuel  to  get  their  meals, 
made  them  run  all  risks. — (It  has  not  been  mentioned,  that 
dry  musquit  makes  as  good  a  fire  as  our  best  hickory,  and 
that  it  burns  freely,  and  with  intense  heat,  and  yet  lasts  well, 


DON  RAMON   PRIETO.  367 

being  close  grained  and  heavy  ;  so  much  so,  that  when  a  dry 
and  sound  piece  is  lifted,  and  struck  with  a  quick  blow,  it 
has  a  peculiar,  short,  ringing  sound,  somewhat  like  that  of 
metal). 

This  hacienda  of  Chocoi  was  not  as  large  as  that  of  Alo- 
mita ;  not  having,  according  to  appearances,  more  than 
a  hundred  or  two  peones  ;  though  the  number  of  these  is  not 
easily  estimated,  they  being  stowed  so  thickly  in  the  rude 
buildings,  and  many  living  about  in  la  casa  grandc. — The 
owner,  Don  Ramon  Prieto,  was  a  man  of  the  old  Spanish 
blood,  light  in  complexion,  and  gentlemanly  in  appearance  ; 
he  had  traveled  much  in  the  United  States,  and  in  England, 
and  spoke  the  English  language  pretty  well,  as  also  did  his 
son,  who  had  spent  some  time  at  school  in  Philadelphia. — 
Whenever  we  came  across  these  higher  order  of  Mexicans, 
who  have  resided  or  visited  in  the  United  States,  we  found 
them  quite  friendly,  and  apparently  attached  to  our  country, 
and  also  to  our  customs  ;  though  not  so  much  so,  as  to  make 
them  alter  their  own  very  materially. — As  an  instance  of  this 
the  don  of  this  hacienda  still  had  his  old  fashioned  Spanish 
carriage,  in  preference  to  one  of  our  style. 

This  old  carriage,  of  the  kind  used  altogether  in  the  inte- 
rior, is  worth  a  description,  from  its  singular  shape  and  ap- 
pearance, and  as  it  excited  much  curiosity  in  those  who  walk- 
ed up  to  the  casa  grande,  where  it  stood  under  the  large  piazza. 
The  hind  wheels  were  large  and  strong,  about  five  and  a  half 
feet  in  diameter;  the  fore  ones  stout,  but  low,  not  being  more 
than  two  and  a  half  feet;  the  axles  were  both  very  heavy,  as 
also  was  the  high  bolster  on  the  fore  one ;  two  large  pieces, 
looking  like  small  timbers  for  a  house,  ran  from  the  hind 
axle-trees  to  the  bolster,  and  connected  the  two ;  two 
heavy  uprights  stood  from  the  hind  axle,  and  corresponding 
two  from  the  bolster ;  these  had  cross  pieces  equally  large, 
and  carved ;  all  this  made  the  frame  ;  stouter  and  heavier 
than  that  of  any  six  horse  wagon,  larger  also;  for  the  width 
between  the  wheels  or  track,  was  about  eight  feet  and  a  half, 
and  from  the  fore  axle  to  the  hind  one,  between  eleven  and 
twelve  feet. — The  reader  can  judge  what  a  cumbrous  frame 
this  was  ;  but  the  body  supported  by  it,  was  not  larger  than 


368  THE   DON'S  OLD   SPANISH  CARRIAGE. 

that  of  one  of  our  common  carriages,  seating  only  six  per- 
sons on  the  two  seats ;  this  body  was  hung  on  huge  leather 
braces,  that  passed,  from  the  cross  piece  on  the  fore  axle,  to 
that  over  the  hind  one  ;  of  course  the  fore  wheels  were  before 
the  carriage,  and  the  hind  ones  as  much  behind  it.  The  har- 
ness was  cumbrous,  heavy,  loaded  with  brass,  and  had  heavy 
coverings  or  bags  for  the  tails  of  the  mules.  Seven  were 
harnessed  to  the  heavy  carriage  :  two  at  the  wheels,  then 
three  abreast,  then  two  more,  with  three  riders  along,  there 
being  no  driver. 

January  22d.  We,  of  the  guard,  were  roused  about  mid- 
night, by  one  of  our  men,  who  dreamed  that  it  was  day, 
made  up  a  large  fire,  and  waking  us,  soon  set  us  all  to 
cooking,  when  we  found  that  it  was  not  near  daylight ;  and, 
on  coming  out  of  the  bushes,  we  saw  that  each  of  the  regi- 
ments around,  were  all  asleep  but  the  sentinels. — However, 
we  finished  our  breakfast,  fed  our  horses,  wrapped  ourselves 
in  our  blankets,  and  again  lay  down  to  sleep,  with  some  mut- 
tered exclamations  against  the  wakefulness  of  our  old  mess- 
mate.— We  slept  but  little,  however. — We  were  again  awa- 
kened by  the  reveille. — In  a  few  moments  all  were  in  motion ; 
the  roll  calls  of  every  company  were  called ;  the  fires  were 
kindled,  breakfast  dispatched,  tents  down,  and  in  the  wagons  ; 
and  all  were  on  the  march  by  daylight,  save  company  G,  of 
the  cavalry,  which  halted,  as  before  mentioned,  (in  nove),  to 
hunt  up  its  missing  members. 

Gen.  Patterson  had  now  determined  to  go  to  Tampico  in 
two  days,  though  it  was  three  days'  march  for  the  troops  ; 
and,  this  morning,  he  detached  two  companies  of  the  cav- 
alry,— Capt.  Caswell's  and  Lieut.  Lacy's,* — to  go  with  him ; 
and,  taking  the  guard,  with  these  he  set  out,  leaving  the  di- 
vision under  the  command  of  Gen.  Pillow. — Gen.  Patterson 
was  still  unable  to  ride  on  horseback,  and  continued  in  the 
wagon,  which  could  not  be  driven  very  rapidly. — The  de- 

*  This  is  the  company  mentioned  before  as  Capt  Lenow's.  That  officer  returned 
from  Matamoras  home,  on  furlough,  and  while  there,  declining  to  return  to  the  war, 
sent  back  his  resignation.  The  command  then  fell  on  the  first  lieutenant  for  the  re- 
mainder of  the  campaign,  and  he  discharged  its  duties  with  honor  to  himself  and  sat- 
isfaction to  his  company. 


24 


MOUNTAIN  OF  BERNAL.  371 

tachment,  therefore,  did  not  gain  much  on  the  division  com- 
ing behind,  for  some  hours. — The  mountain  of  Bernal  was 
still  upon  our  right ;  a  view  of  which,  as  well  as  of  an  at- 
ajo* (drove  of  pack  mules),  with  their  accompanying  arrie- 
ros,  or  drivers,  that  we  met  near  this  place,  may  be  seen  on 
the  opposite  page. 

After  proceeding  about  fourteen  miles,  over  a  beautiful, 
undulating  country,  of  rich  soil,  but  with  no  inhabitants,  with 


ATAJOS,  ARRIEROS,  MERCHANTS,  AHD    CUSTOM    HOUSE    OFFICERS   IN    MEXICO. 

*  As  we  met  these  continually  on  the  marches,  and  as  little  has  been  said  about 
them,  and  as  the  whole  internal  commerce  of  Mexico  is  carried  on  by  means  of  these 
arrieros,  or  muleteers,  supplying  the  place  of  rail  roads,  canals,  and  wagons  in  our 
country,  and  as,  throughout  the  country,  as  well  as  in  old  Spain,  the  same  system  is 
pursued,  an  account  of  this  class  of  people  will  be  found  interesting.  One  who  pur- 
sues the  business  of  an  arriero  has  his  atajos  of  mules,  which  are  his  own  property, 
and,  together  with  their  halters,  pack-saddles,  or  aparejos,  are  his  whole  stock  in  trade. 
A  full  atajo  consists  of  sixty  mules,  though  a  smaller  number  is  called  the  same 
name.  A  good  mule,  with  its  aparejo,  is  worth  about  thirty  dollars. 

He  also  has  a  trained,  docile  horse  for  himself,  and  five  or  six  others  for  his  attend- 
ants ; — beside  these,  he  has  a  gentle  horse,  commonly  a  white,  gray,  or  claybank,  with  a 
bell  «n  his  neck.  This  horse  always  goes  before,  and  the  mules  will  follow  after  him, 
though  they  will  not  follow  one  of  their  own  kind,  even  if  belled.  A  horse  of  a  light 
color  is  selected  on  account  of  the  ease  by  which  the  mules  can  recognize  him  at  a 
little  distance. — The  sight  of  him,  and  the  sound  of  the  bell,  starts  them  all  towards 
him.  (The  author's  horse,  a  handsome  claybank,  with  long  and  full  white  mane  and 
tail,  at  camp  Ringgold,  near  Matamoras,  was  always,  when  turned  loose,  followed  by 
two  or  three  Mexican  mules,  belonging  to  the  train,  and  it  was  with  great  difficulty  that 
they  could  be  driven  away  from  him.  For  this,  then,  the  author  was  at  a  loss  to  ac- 
count, but  did  so  easily  afterwards ;  for,  as  pack  mules  in  the  service  of  an  arrieroy 
they  had  followed  a  horse  of  the  same  color). 

The  arriero  has  in  his  service  six  peones  for  every  atajo  he  owns ;— these  are  bound 
by  debt  to  him,  in  the  same  manner  that  the  general  class  are  bound  to  the  owners  of 
the  haciendas  or  ranchos.  These  are  each  provided  with  a  lasso  for  catching  the  re- 
fractory mules,  and  each  has  a  long  straight  sword  and  sometimes  a  gun,  for  their  de. 
fence  against  the  ladrones,  or  robbers,  which  infest  all  the  highways.  The  arriero  is 
ready  with  his  atajo  and  attendants,  for  a  journey  to  any  part  of  the  republic.  A 
merchant  in  Saltillo,  for  instance,  proceeds  to  the  coast  to  buy  his  goods,  or  perhaps 
he  may  go  to  New  Orleans,  or  have  them  shipped  from  England. — They  arrive  at  Mat- 
amoras ;  they  are  passed  through  the  custom  house,  where  they  are  strictly  examined, 
to  see  that  they  contain  nothing  but  what  is  allowed  to  come  into  the  country,  for  there 
are  many  articles  that  are  not  admitted. — This  examination,  however,  is  slight,  or  en- 
tirely omitted,  if  the  merchant  gives  to  the  collector,  or  administrador,  a  bribe. — 
"When  the  goods  are  landed,  the  merchant  must  pay  upon  them  a  port  duty,  of  from 
fifty  to  four  hundred  per  cent 

His  goods  are  now  at  the  custom  house ;  —his  next  inquiry  is  for  an  arriero  to  take 


372  LECHUGAS,  OR  THORNY  FLAG  PLANT. 

high  hills  in  the  distance,  on  either  hand,  and  splendid  views 
continually  opening  anew,  we  came  to  a  swamp  of  large 
timber,  thick  ;  and  under  it  was  a  close  growth  of  lechugas, 
or  the  thorny  flag  mentioned,  (see  plate,  page  368). — The  soil 
of  this  swamp,  now  hard  as  a  rock,  and  having  the  impress, 
plainly,  of  tracks  made  months  since,  is  very  boggy  when, 
wet. — Four  miles  through  this,  brought  us  out  to  the  bank 
of  the  upper  bay  of  the  large  lake  of  Carpentero,  at  which 

ATAJOS,  ARRIEHOS,  MERCHANTS,  AM)    CUSTOM    HOUSE    OFFICERS    IX    MEXICO. 

them  to  the  interior.  He  finds  one,  and  a  bargain  is  concluded  at  so  much  a  cargo, — 
that  is,  a  mule  load, — (three  hundred  pounds  in  our  weight).  The  mules  are  driven 
up  to  the  custom  house  and  packed  with  the  goods. — Another  duty  is  now  laid  upon 
these,  called  an  extraction  duty ; — this  is  eighteen  per  cent.  The  merchant,  before 
the  goods  are  taken,  must  give  security  that  he  will  pay  this  amount  within  one,  two, 
three,  four,  or  five  months,  or  longer,  according  to  the  distance  they  are  to  be  taken. 
On  this  account,  the  merchant  commonly  states  his  destination  to  be  much  farther 
than  he  really  means  to  carry  them.  He  therefore  states  his  destination  to  be  Mon- 
terey, Saltillo,and  Durango.  On  a  stamped  paper  is  made  out  a  list  of  the  goods,  the 
boxes,  marks  and  contents,  and  the  certificate  of  the  collector,  that  the  merchant  has 
paid  the  port  duties  on  the  goods,  and  given  security  for  the  extraction  duty,  and  he  is 
therefore  allowed  to  take  the  goods  to  Monterey,  Sallillo,  and  Durango,  or  elsewhere, 
according  as  he  has  stated  his  destination. — This  paper  is  called  a  guia, 

The  arriero  and  his  men  load  on  the  mules,  over  their  pack-saddles,  which  are  sim- 
ply immense  pairs  of  leather  saddlebags,  stuffed  with  straw. — He  gives  the  merchant 
a  receipt  for  the  number  of  boxes,  and  then,  commonly  accompanied  by  the  latter,  the 
atajo  sets  off  on  its  journey.  The  mules  travel  about  twenty  miles  a  day ; — at  night 
are  unloaded  and  turned  out  to  graze ;  and  poor  picking  they  have,  too.  However, 
they  are  so  hardy,  that  dry  grass  and  weeds  go  very  well  with  them ;  and,  if  not  too 
hardly  driven,  they  are  commonly  in  good  order.  In  the  morning  they  are  driven  up 
to  the  piles  of  merchandise  and  row  of  pack-saddles ;  and  so  well  do  they  know  their 
own,  that  one  will  go  to  no  other.  They  stand  in  a  row,  and  the  muleteers  load 
them  again,  and  all,  as  before,  start  off  after  the  bell  horse. 

During  the  day,  the  time  of  the  arriero  and  his  men  is  continually  employed  in 
seeing  that  the  loads  are  right.  If  a  box  slips,  two  of  them  ride  up  to  the  mule  bear- 
ing it,  and  put  a  leathern  blind-fold  over  his  eyes ; — the  string  of  this  is  dropped  over 
bis  long  ears,  and  the  blind  coming  down,  prevents  him  from  seeing ; — he  instantly 
stops,  and  nothing  can  induce  him  to  move  while  this  is  on.  They  then  fix  his  load 
and  lash  it  firmly,  take  off  the  blind,  which  they  carry  on  their  arm,  (see  plate)  ;  the 
mule  resumes  his  march ; — and  thus,  day  by  day,  do  the  patient  animals  plod  along. 

They  come  near  a  town. — Here,  too,  is  a  custom  house ;  for  Mexico  is  not  like  our 
country,  in  having  custom  houses  only  on  the  ports  and  borders,  and  goods  once  in 
pay  no  more ;  but  here,  they  are  in  every  town ;  and  duties  are  to  be  paid  in  the  in- 
terior, as  well  as  on  the  coast  Mounted  guards  are  on  the  hills  and  approaches  to 
the  town.— These  see  the  atajo  coming ; — they  take  command,  and  accompany  it  to 
the  custom  house.  The  long  line  of  mules  is  stopped ;  the  questions  asked,  and  the 


LAKE   OF   CARPENTERO  373 

was  a  rancho  ol  several  buildings. — While  watering  the 
horses  of  the  detachment  here,  the  advance  of  the  division 
came  in  sight,  and  filed  out  to  encamp. — (Here  the  author 
left  the  guard  of  Gen.  Palterson,  on  account  of  his  horse  be- 
ing taken  violently  sick,  and  unable  to  proceed ;  but,  by  the 
kindness  of  Dr.  Wright,  the  surgeon  of  Gen.  Patterson's  staff, 
the  author  was  furnished  with  powerful  medicines,  which 
saved  his  horse). — Gen.  Patterson  ordered  him  to  remain 

ATAJOS,  ARHIEltOS,  MERCHANTS,  AND    CUSTOM    HOUSE    OFFICERS   IN    MEXICO. 

guia  examined.  If  the  merchant  does  not  wish  to  sell  there,  the  custom  house  has 
nothing  to  do  with  him,  and  the  drove  passes  on,  until  after  a  few  days'  patient  labor, 
the  next  town  is  reached ; — the  same  thing  takes  place ;  at  the  next  the  same ;  the 
next  also ;  and  the  same  at  every  town  passed. 

After  many  days,  the  atajo  approaches  its  destination.  The  guards,  in  the  same 
way  as  before,  come  forward  and  take  it  to  the  custom  house ; — the  guia  is  exhibited  ; 
the  goods  are  examined, — slightly,  if  a  bribe  is  given, — and  unloaded  there. — The 
merchant  pays  the  arriero ;  who  now  seeks  for  a  load  to  carry  to  some  other  place. — If 
successful,  he  starts  off  loaded  ;  if  not,  he  goes  empty  to  another  town,  on  his  way 
back  to  the  coast.  The  custom  house  officers  do  not  interrupt  or  hinder  him,  when 
he  has  no  burdens. 

These  arrieros  are,  as  said  before,  the  common  carriers  of  Mexico. — They  have 
more  to  do  with  foreigners,  (i.  e.  Americans,  English,  French,  and  Italians ;  for  the 
majority  of  the  merchants  of  the  interior  are  of  these  nations),  than  any  other  class, 
and,  from  them,  they  learn  honor  and  fidelity  to  their  employers.  They  are  the  more 
honest  and  trusty  class  in  Mexico,  from  the  Don  of  the  extensive  hacienda,  down  to 
the  Indian  peon.  They  can  be  trusted  alone,  with  goods  to  carry  from  one  end  of  the 
republic  to  the  other,  against  all  incidents  but  robbery ;  but  they  will  not,  although 
armed,  defend  with  vigor  their  cargas  against  the  ladrones,  or  robbers,  that  swarm 
upon  the  public  roads,  without  the  owner  is  with  them.  If  he  is  along,  especially  if 
he  is  an  American,  Englishman,  or  Frenchman,  whom  they  know  will  expose  his  life 
to  save  his  property,  they  will  then  second  his  defence  with  vigor  and  bravery ; — con- 
sequently, when  such  owner  is  along,  the  atajos  are  seldom  attacked.  Such  are  the 
arrieros,  a  good-humored,  honest  set ;  the  same  to-day  as  a  class,  that  they  were  fifty 
years  since,  and  will  be  as  long  as  the  present  population  remains. 

But  as  we  were  obliged  to  bring  in  the  merchant,  as  well  as  the  custom  house,  in 
order  to  give  a  correct  account  of  the  arriero,  let  us  follow  them  through ;  for,  although 
two  duties  have  been  exacted  from  him,  on  the  goods  brought,  still  the  custom  house 
has  not  done  with  him  yet.  He  has  paid  the  port  duty,  and  given  bond  for  the  exac- 
tion duty  of  eighteen  per  cent. ;  and  has  paid  the  arriero  for  the  transportation,  and 
the  goods  now  lie  in  the  custom  house  stores  in  the  place  of  his  final  destination. 

He  wishes  to  take  them  to  his  store  to  sell. — Before  he  can  do  this,  he  must  pay 
the  third  duty  of  eighteen  per  cent.,  called  the  internal  duty  ;  and  not  only  so,  but 
a  fourth  one,  municipal  duty,  to  the  corporation  of  the  town,  for  the  privilege  of  sell- 
ing them  there. — After  this,  he  is  allowed  to  open  them  for  sale. 

But  suppose  that  he  finds  that  he  has  too  much  for  the  market,  or  that,  while  he 


374  DIGNITY  OF  OFFICERS. 

\vith  the  division,  to  come  up  with  it ;  and,  when  arrived  at 
Tampico,  to  report  himself  to  Col.  Abercrombie,  his  aid. — 
(The  comparative  dignity  of  generals,  and  some  of  the  infe- 
rior officers,  has  been  mentioned.  This  was  exemplified  at 
this  moment.  The  sick  horse,  on  the  ground  near  the  gen- 
eral's wagon,  required  immediate  bleeding,  but  not  a  fleam, 
nor  even  a  penknife,  could  be  procured,  with  which  to  do 
it.  A  lieutenant,  who  had  been  speaking  to  the  general, 
was  standing  near  the  wagon.  The  author,  being  pretty 
well  acquainted  with  him,  asked  him  to  lend  his  penknife,  to 
bleed  the  horse. — It  was  amusing  to  see  the  haughty  air  with 
which  he  drew  himself  up,  and,  without  making  any  reply, 
(struck  speechless,  with  the  arrant  impudence  of  such  a 
request,  made  by  a  long  bearded  private,  to  his  smoothly 
shaven,  nicely  dressed  lordship,  and  that,  too,  in  the  imme- 
diate presence  of  the  major  general),  looked  our  author  in 
the  face,  to  rebuke  his  insolence,  with  as  much  severity  as 
it  was  possible  for  a  man  to  put  on. — He,  however,  was 

ATAJOS,  A11H1EHOS,  MERCHANTS,  AND    CUSTOM    HOUSE    OFFICERS    IX    MEXICO. 

was  engaged  in  this  long  transportation,  another  had  brought  a  supply,  and  he  wishes 
to  send  his  to  the  next  large  town.  In  that  case,  the  custom  house  again  gets  hold  of 
him,  if  that  town  is  out  of  his  state ;  for,  before  he  can  start  with  them,  he  must  take 
out  a  guia,  as  before ;  and  upon  that  must  pay  another  internal  duty  of  eighteen  per 
cent,  and  another  municipal  duty  at  the  town  to  which  he  is  sending  them.  The 
four  original  duties  on  the  same  goods  are  yet  not  all  the  exactions ;  for  still  another 
comes,  in  an  indirect  manner. — He  has  given  bond  and  security  to  pay  the  extraction 
duty  of  eighteen  per  cent  in  the  first  port ;  this  he  must  take  in  specie ;  but,  as  it  en- 
ters the  town,  it  is  taken  to  the  custom  house,  and  although  it  came  to  pay  to  them, 
yet  it  is  regarded  as  coming  to  be  exported,  and  another  duty  of  ten  per  cent  is  taken 
from  it — The  whole  system  is  calculated  to  exact  every  quartilla  possible,  from  the 
merchants  and  people. 

No  wonder  that  the  merchant  should  endeavor  to  avoid  this  enormous  taxation* 
which,  however,  at  last,  comes  not  out  of  him,  but  from  the  people ;  as,  for  every 
tax  he  pays,  he  increases  the  price  of  his  goods  so  much ;  and  thus  the  government 
grind  down  the  people,  not  only  into  poverty,  but  even  into  slavery,  or  the  system  of 
peonage,  the  same ; — and,  although  we  are  digressing,  yet  let  us  follow  the  subject  far 
enough  to  see  its  effects  upon  the  bondage  of  the  peon. 

The  law  obliges  him  to  take  two-thirds  of  his  scanty  wages,  of  his  master,  in  goods 
for  himself  and  his  family.  Now  the  merchant  who  brings  these,  adds  to  their  ori- 
ginal cost,  the  amount  of  the  five  taxes,  then  his  profit,  and  at  the  gross  amount  sells 
them  to  the  owner  of  the  hacienda.  He,  too,  has  his  profit  on  the  whole,  which,  by 
universal  custom,  is  one  hundred  per  cent,  on  the  merchant's  prices ;  and  at  this,  the 
articles  are  sold  to  the  peon.  Can  he  ever  be  out  of  debt  to  his  master? 

But  to  the  merchant  again. — He  sometimes  succeeds  in  getting  more  goods  in,  than 


IMPUDENCE  OF  A   PRIVATE.  375 

thinking  of  little  else  save  the  sickness  of  his  favorite  horse 
and  was  not  struck  with  much  terror  at  the  lieutenant's 
frowning  countenance. — Gen.  Patterson  saw  it  all, — for  it 
was  within  a  few  feet  of  him ;  and,  waiting  a  moment,  see- 
ing that  the  officer  did  not  intend  to  comply  with  the  request, 
immediately,  with  a  smile,  he  handed  his  own  splendid  knife 
to  the  author,  telling  him  to  use  every  exertion  to  save  so 
good  a  horse,  &c. — The  lieutenant  immediately  looked  aston- 
ished, then  deeply  mortified ;  mortified,  though,  not  at  his  ac- 
tion, but  at  being  so  quietly  rebuked  for  it,  by  the  general). — 
The  detachment  shortly  afterward  moved  on.  The  author 
now  found  himself  in  an  unpleasant  situation ;  his  mess  gone, 
and  forage  all  missing ; — his  company  were  behind. — Shortly 
however,  he  was  kindly  invited  by  Col.  Thomas,  to  come  to 
his  tent  and  table,  until  the  division  again  came  up  with  the 
general ;  of  which  kind  invitation  he  availed  himself  so  far 
as  to  procure  his  meals,  and  shared  the  tent  of  the  assistant 
surgeon,  Dr.  Stout. — The  colonel  also  divided  with  him  the 
forage  of  his  own  horses. 

ATAJOS,  ARHIEH»S,  MERCHANTS,  AND    CUSTOM    HOUSE    OFFICERS    IK    MEXICO. 

are  marked  in  his  guia ;  or  else,  he  brings  in  a  contraband  article  that  pays  him  a  high 
profit. — He  does  this  by  continual  bribery  of  the  custom  house  officers. — When  the 
atajo  is  approaching  the  town  of  its  final  destination,  all  the  goods  that  are  contraband, 
or  that  are  not  marked  in  the  guia,  which  he  has  brought  along  by  bribery  of  the  officers, 
the  arriero  places  on  separate  mules,  and  some  of  his  men  drive  these  to  a  by-place  in 
the  mountains  near,  or  to  some  place  of  concealment.  The  remainder  of  the  goods, 
that  are  regularly  marked,  and  have  paid  the  duties  so  far,  are  driven  in  towards  the 
guards  boldly,  and  taken  by  them  to  the  custom  house. — The  merchant  finds  the 
guard  who  stands  at  such  a  point ; — a  few  dollars  given  him,  and  the  mules  secreted 
can  be  driven  in  by  him  at  night,  and  he  will  never  see  them,  even  should  they  brush 
him  with  their  burdens ;  or  he  suddenly  finds  that  an  atajo  is  trying  to  slip  in  on  an- 
other side  of  town,  and  he  leaves  his  post  to  go  there,  &c.  The  mules  are  silently 
driven  to  an  appointed  place,  and  the  gates  of  the  high  court  yard  receive  them  within. 
They  are  unloaded,  and  the  goods  stowed  away. — A  little  extra  present  to  the  arriero, 
for  his  part  of  the  game,  and  all  is  right — If,  by  accident,  the  custom  house  officers 
suspect  the  matter,  a  bribe  to  them  makes  them  forget  to  search. 

And  now  the  author  asks  pardon  of  the  reader,  for  the  insertion  of  so  long  a 
note ;  but,  as  it  describes  the  whole  manner  of  transportation  in  Mexico,  by  the  ar- 
rieros  shown  in  the  picture,  and  also  the  system  of  her  internal  and  external  duties ; 
the  corruption  of  her  public  officers,  and  the  bearing  of  the  whole  system  upon  the  peo- 
ple, he  hopes  that  it  will  repay  the  perusal. — The  reader,  of  course,  will  understand,  that 
in  the  ports  taken  by  the  United  States'  forces,  all  these  duties  are,  for  the  time  held  by 
them,  abolished. 


376  RANCHO  AT  LAKE  CARPENTERO. 

This  place,  at  which  we  were  now  encamped,  was  on  a 
wide  plain,  bare  of  vegetation ;  for  some  distance  back  it 
was  of  alluvial  soil,  deposited  by  the  lake,  which,  at  times, 
overflowed  the  most  of  it. — On  the  bank  of  the  lake  was,  as 
said  before,  a  rancho  of  fifteen  or  twenty  houses.  This  was 
here  situated,  for  the  raising  of  stock. — The  lake,  winding 
around,  was  spread  out  in  the  distance,  in  a  smooth  sheet ; 
far  across  it,  rose  a  range  of  high  hills. — Distance  marched 
this  day  eighteen  miles. 

Saturday,  January  23d.  The  whole  division  was  on  the 
march,  before  sunrise. — The  author's  horse,  not  being  yet 
entirely  recovered,  but  sufficiently  so  to  go  leisurely,  he  got 
on,  according  to  the  general's  directions,  as  easily  as  he 
could.  Sometimes  he  was  near  the  cavalry  ;  then  the  artil- 
lery and  the  infantry  would  pass  him  ;  and,  as  he  stopped  to 
rest  his  horse,  half,  or  more,  of  the  train  would  go  by ;  but 
when  rested,  he  could  again  pass  these,  the  infantry,  and  artil- 
lery, and  come  up  to  the  cavalry  again :  and  thus  he  spent 
the  day  very  agreeably ;  for  he  had  an  opportunity  to  notice 
the  passage  of  the  whole  division,  from  the  advance  to  the 
rear,  and  to  observe  the  continual  sport  and  hilarity  of  the 
infantry.  The  most  of  this,  however,  was  found  in  the 
"  mustang  cavalry" — a  description  of  force  unknown  to  the 
army  regulations,  but  which  accompanied  us  from  Victoria. 
— It  was  composed  of  numbers,  from  the  three  regiments 
of  infantry. — Any  one  that  could  raise  the  means  to  buy  a 
long-eared  burro  (jackass),  or  a  mule,  or  old  Mexican  horse, 
or  any  such  conveyance,  immediately  entered  the  mustang 
cavalry. — Such  animals  could  be  bought  for  from  three  to 
five  dollars. — Some  of  the  riders  had  procured  Mexican  sad- 
dles, with  their  horse-hair  housings,  and  bridles  also;  while 
some  had  bridles, but  no  saddles; — others  had  saddles,  with- 
out bridles  ;  while  others,  again,  had  neither. — Here  was  a 
soldier  large  as  life,  with  his  musket  in  his  hand,  on  a  little 
jackass,  without  saddle  or  bridle,  and  so  small,  that  the  rider 
had  to  lift  his  feet  from  the  ground ; — the  little  but  ro  jogged 
along  with  him,  occasionally  stopping  to  gather  a  bite  of 
grass. — Here  was  another,  on  an  old  Mexican  horse,  whose 
bones  showed  plainly  against  his  tight  hide,  having  sunken 


THE  "MUSTANG  CAVALRY."  377 

eyes,  and  not  able  to  go  out  of  a  walk. — Here  was  another 
little  jack  that  refused  to  proceed,  while  a  stout  man  had  his 
shoulder  to  his  rump,  heaving  him  on;  he  had  half  a  dozen 
muskets  and  cartridge-boxes  for  his  load.  There  was  a  sol- 
dier endeavoring  to  pull  a  mule  along,"  by  the  lariat,  while 
another  was  beating  him. — Another  was  boasting  how  finely 
his  little  burro  carried  him  without  saddle  or  bridle,  when  the 
animal  purposely  turned  under  a  long,  thorny  musquit  limb, 
and  brushed  him  off  quickly,  tearing  him  with  the  thorns. 
— Here  went  one  loaded  with  mess-bags,  camp-kettles,  &c., 
followed  by  a  larger  burro,  with  two  riders  and  no  saddle. — 
This  mustang  cavalry,  too,  had  an  officer;  as  much  of  a 
jackass  as  any  with  the  long  ears.  He  was  a  small  manr 
and  rode  a  miserable,  poor,  little  horse,  with  an  old,  torn 
saddle,  but  no  bridle,  but  with  a  rope  round  the  horse's  nose ; 
he  paid  no  attention  to  the  fun  going  on  about  him,  but,  filled 
with  dignity,  rode  on,  the  most  ridiculous  object  to  be  seen. 
— His  appearance  of  importance  was  so  amusing,  that  the 
author  made  some  inquiries  of  the  men,  as  to  who  he  was, 
and  found  him  to  be  a  commissary,  or  else  a  quarter-master 
of  one  of  the  regiments. 

We  passed,  on  the  march,  another  atajo,  or  drove  of  mules, 
bound  from  Tampico,  into  the  interior ;  these  were  heavily 
laden,  but  moved  along  with  steadiness. — On  the  way  along, 
we  noticed,  that  the  musquit  was  generally  in  bloom,  having 
upon  it  thousands  of  small  balls,  each  the  size  of  a  marble, 
of  white  and  yellow  colors,  and  pleasant  fragrance. — After 
twenty-one  miles  march,  over  a  beautiful,  undulating  country  r 
of  rich  soil,  mostly  free  from  timber,  having  passed  several 


Mustang  Cavalry. 


378  TOWN  OF   ALTAMIRA. 

ranches  on  the  way,  we  arrived  at  the  old  town  of  Altamira, 
on  the  same  lake — Carpentero.  Here  we  encamped,  on  the 
border  of  this  lake,  near  the  town,  into  which  many  went 
up,  and  soon  came  back,  telling  all  that  there  was  chewing 
tobacco  to  sell  there. — Many  of  the  men  had,  for  a  long 
time,  been  without  this  article,  which,  in  the  interior,  was  not 
to  be  procured ;  and  now,  every  one  who  could  raise  "  dos 
reales"  (twenty- five  cents),  went  up  to  buy  ; — it  was  not  very 
good,  but  still  appeared,  to  those  who  had  been  so  long  with- 
out, a  great  luxury.  (See  note,  page  393.) 

We  found  the  town  of  Altamira  to  be  a  dilapidated  place, 
having  nothing  of  interest  in  its  streets  and  squares,  save 
a  massive  old  church,  that  had  been  standing  for  two  or 
three  centuries;  and  it  appeared  as  though  it  might  stand 
as  much  longer.  It  was  a  curious  structure,  high,  exten- 
sive, and  heavy.  On  taking  a  side  view  of  it,  one  would 
hardly  know,  whether  to  pronounce  it  an  old  feudal  castle, 
a  heavy  fort,  or  a  gloomy  prison,  similar  to  the  Bastile ; 
certainly  a  church  would  be  the  last  thing  he  would  think 
of.  It  had  heavy  stone  abutments,  running  up  against  the 
walls,  appearing  like  the  piers  of  our  bridges,  when  built 
out,  as  defences  against  ice.  There  was  a  heavy,  eight- 
sided  dome  on  the  top,  which  was  a  little  different  from  the 
common  style  of  their  churches.  We  were  informed  that 
much  wealth  belonged  to  this  old  church ;  and  that  its  inte- 
rior had  been  most  superbly  finished  in  former  times,  and  still 
so  continued ; — we  had  no  opportunity  to  examine  it. — The 
name  Altamira  signifies  a  high  view,  and  was  probably  ap- 
plied to  this  place  on  account  of  the  lovely  prospect  out  on 
the  lake,  which  is  studded  with  green  islands ;  in  no  other 
direction  is  the  view  extensive. — Lake  Carpentero  commu- 
nicates with  the  Panuco  river;  and  the  inhabitants  informed 
us,  that  vessels,  drawing  less  than  five  feet  of  water,  might 
come  up  the  river  by  Tampico,  into  the  lake,  and  wind  their 
way  along  in  the  channels  between  the  numerous  islands, 
and  come  up  to  the  town.  They  might  do  so,  but  there  is 
nothing  at  Altamira  for  them  to  come  for. — With  the  lovely 
country  around  it  well  settled  and  cultivated,  it  would  be  the 
garden  spot  of  the  nation. 


AGAVE  AMERICANA,  OR  MAGUEY.  381 

The  men  found  here  plenty  of  brandy,  muscal,  and  other 
liquors  to  sell,  of  which  many  of  them  partook  rather  too 
freely. — One  liquor  that  is  much  in  use  in  every  part  of 
Mexico,  but  more  especially  towards  the  centre  and  south- 
ern, was  also  for  sale  here,  as  well  as  in  every  town  that  we 
have  passed.  This  is  pulque,  the  fermented  juice  of  the  agave 
Americana,  or  maguey ;  plenty  of  which  we  had  already  seen 
growing.  The  wild  maguey,  of  which  the  strong  liquor  mus- 
cal, is  made,  has  already  been  mentioned.  A  description 
of  this  enormous  plant,  which  lives  and  thrives  to  the  age 
of  from  fifty  to  eighty  years,  will  not  give  to  the  reader  as 
correct  an  idea  of  its  appearance,  as  a  representation  in 
a  view.  The  author,  therefore,  sketched  the  appearance  of 
two  of  these  plants,  which  were  growing  near  a  rancho,  two 
days  before  reaching  Altamira.  This  view,  on  the  oppo- 
site page,  shows  the  two  plants,  of  not  more  than  twenty  or 
twenty-five  years  old,  and  not  fit  yet  to  tap,  to  obtain  the 
juice,  or  pulque.  The  size  of  the  leaves  can  be  seen  by 
comparison  with  the  height  of  the  Mexican,  smoking  his 
cigarro,  near. — Of  the  manner  of  obtaining  the  pulque,  we 
will  speak,  when  giving  the  account  of  all  Mexican  liquors, 
and  methods  of  distillation,  &c.  (see page  403).  The  leaves 
of  this  plant  are  covered,  on  either  edge,  with  thorns,  and 
are  pointed  with  the  same.* — In  this  view,  also,  is  shown  a 
small  rancho,  on  the  little  brook,  in  the  back  ground;  a  field 
enclosed  by  a  stick  fence,  near  the  rancho ;  a  corner  of 
another  fence,  on  the  right  of  the  foreground,  and  an  irriga- 
ting ditch,  by  which  the  water  was  diverted  from  the  brook 
above,  and  carried  to  a  field  below.  (This  ditch  in  front,  the 
engraver  has  hid  too  much,  by  the  grass  on  its  bank). 

January  24th.     Another,  and  the  fourth  change  of  appear- 

*  This  maguey  is  very  useful  to  the  Mexicans.  It  not  only  furnishes  them  with 
pulque  and  muscal,  but  of  the  strong  fibres  in  its  leaves  they  manufacture  rope,  and 
sacking  of  all  kinds  (called  guangoche) ;  beside,  shoe  thread  (petafloxa),  and  strong 
sewing  thread  (called  peta  torrida). — The  upright  shoot  of  the  wild  plants,  when 
roasted,  is  sold  in  small  pieces,  by  the  name  of  quiote.  This  is  prized  for  chewing, 
—on  account  of  its  sweetness, — as  they  would  chew  sugar-cane ;  and  men,  women 
and  children,  when  not  smoking,  frequently  have  this  quiote  in  mastication. — The  an- 
cient Mexicans  made  as  much  use  of  this  plant  as  those  of  the  present  race ;  and 
beside,  formed  from  its  leaves  a  coarse  kind  of  paper. 


382       CHANGE  IN  APPEARANCE  OF  THE  COUNTRY. 

ance  of  country  since  we  had  left  Victoria,  here  met  our 
view. — Near  Victoria,  we  had  traveled  over  mountainous 
scenery,  with  a  few  rapid  streams ; — then  we  struck  the  me- 
sas, or  table-topped  hills,  with  extensive  valleys  between; — 
next,  we  left  those,  and  came  out  into  a  vast  undulating 
prairie,  with  some  water,  rich  soil,  and  but  little  timber ; — 
now,  we  passed  over  low,  sandy  lands,  with  heavy  timber, 
thickly  growing ; — the  whole  appearing  entirely  different 
from  the  former  sections. — In  the  first  section,  it  had  been 
Iry,  lonely,  but  grand ; — in  the  second,  still  bare  and  lonely, 
but  pleasing,  from  its  endless  change  of  views  and  land- 
scapes ; — in  the  third,  still  more  pleasing,  being  enlivened 
by  extensive  views  of  rounded  swells,  succeeding  each  other, 
until  lost  on  the  horizon — high,  distant  mountains,  overlook- 
ing the  whole :  the  view  of  the  landscape  improved  by  the 
grass,  the  palms,  and  scattered  groves ;  the  large  herds  of 
horses,  mules,  and  cattle. — The  fourth,  upon  which  we  had 
now  entered,  was  refreshing  and  delightful  to  gaze  upon,  on 
account  of  its  lofty  oaks,  of  unknown  species  to  us,  its  beau- 
tiful palms,  its  lofty,  graceful  cocoas,  of  different  kinds  ;  its 
sabre  trees,  with  large  trunks  and  limbs,  appearing,  in  color 
and  smoothness,  as  if  bronzed;  its  spreading  banyans,  each 
with  several  trunks  ;  its  trees  of  orange,  lemon,  and  lime ;  its 
tall  bananas,  and  sugar-cane  ;  its  pine-apples,  and  other 
fruits ;  its  flocks  of  noisy  parrots,  of  brilliant  plumage  ;  and 
of  many  kinds  of  birds  which,  before,  we  had  never  seen. — 
Our  old  acquaintance,  the  musquit,  left  us  entirely  ;  but 
very  little  cactus  could  we  find ;  the  trees,  now  seen,  were 
without  thorns :  nothing  was  thorny,  save  the  lechugas,  or 
thorny  flag,  and  the  maguey. 

After  commencing  the  march  in  the  morning,  the  road 
wound  along  the  lovely  shores  of  the  lake,  which,  in  hun- 
dreds of  pretty  indentations,  formed  little  bays  and  inlets, 
upon  the  green  shore.  Never  before  had  we  seen  a  lake  so 
crowded  and  studded  with  the  most  verdant  and  beautiful 
small  islands. — Over  the  road  the  tall  trees  bent  their  limbs, 
covered  with  foliage  of  as  lively  green  as  though  the  season 
had  been  May. 

We  now,  for  the  first  time  in  Mexico,  saw  little  patches 


LA    ENCARNACION.  383 

of  land, — enclosures  upon  which  was  the  residence  of  one 
family  only, — cultivated  by  one  man,  who  appeared  to  be  the 
owner.  These  little  fields  now  began  to  succeed  each  other 
rapidly  ;  and  in  each  one  we  saw  a  smoking  coal-pit,  put  up 
in  our  manner. — About  each  house  were  three  or  four  patient 
burros,  who  were  waiting  for  their  loads  of  coal,  to  take  into 
the  city  ;  while  others  were  going  in,  and  others  yet  return- 
ing.— We  noticed  that  many  of  these  little  enclosures  had 
beds  of  vegetables:  cabbages,  beans,  onions,  garlic,  tomatos, 
red  pepper,  &c.,  growing  for  market.  The  air  was  different 
from  before.  Again  we  felt  the  sea  breeze,  that  in  an  in- 
stant can  be  told,  as  it  falls  upon  the  cheek,  by  its  peculiar 
freshness  and  invigorating  power. — The  whole  scene  was  so 
new,  that  the  morning's  march  seemed  but  a  few  moments* 
pleasant  ride — and  was  short ;  for  eight  miles  brought  us  to 
the  little  rancho  of  La  Encarnacion,  where,  being  plenty  of 
water,  and  only  ten  miles  from  Tampico,  the  division  en- 
camped, around  and  under  the  thick,  shady  trees. 

The  author  continued  on  to  Tampico, — for  he  yet  belonged 
to  the  general's  guard,  which  had  gone  in, — arrived  there, 
and  reported  himself  to  Col.  Abercrombie,  as  directed  by 
the  general.  He  was  released  from  any  farther  duty  of  the 
guard,  which  had  now  been  discharged  from  that  duty  ;  and 
had  been  ordered,  with  the  two  companies — Caswell's  and 
Lacy's — who  had  come  in  with  the  general,  to  return  to  the 
duty  of  camp.  These  two  companies,  with  the  guard,  start- 
ed out,  towards  camp  ;  but  the  author  remained  in  town  un- 
til the  following  morning,  when  he  returned  to  the  camp  at 
La  Encarnacion,  where  all  the  regiment  (save  company  G) 
and  the  division  then  were. — That  company,  on  the  night  of 
their  arrival,  were  ordered  to  Tampico,  and  immediately  sent 
over  the  river  Panuco,  into  the  state  of  Vera  Cruz,  as  a 
guard  to  the  topographical  engineers ;  who  were  directed, 
by  Gen.  Patterson,  to  reconnoitre  the  country.  They  were 
gone  upon  this  service  three  days. 

Tuesday,  January  26th.  We  have  been  two  days  in  this 
camp,  and  they  had  been  devoted  entirely,  by  all  the  regi- 
ments, to  rest  and  sleep.  Plenty  of  corn  and  hay  had  been 
sent  out  from  Tampico  for  our  use,  and  our  wearied  horses 


384  CAMP  AT   LA   ENCARNACION. 

at  once  began  to  fare  well. — As  for  ourselves,  we  spent  the 
most  part  of  the  day,  after  the  sun  got.  up,  in  sleep  or  in  con- 
versation under  the  thick  shade  of  the  trees  around ;  and  ev- 
ery one  seemed  determined  to  make  up  for  all  that  he  had 
lost,  on  the  march  from  Victoria. — No  drill  or  parade  was 
required  of  us  here,  and  a  glorious  time  of  "  napping  it,"  we 
had. — Gen.  Quitman's  brigade,  which  had  come  one  day  in 
the  rear  of  us,  passed  through  our  camp,  and  continued  on 
to  a  position  within  about  three  miles  of  the  city.  Capt. 
Haynes'  company  of  our  regiment,  had  marched  with  this 
brigade  from  Victoria.  That  officer,  at  the  request  of  the 
author,  furnished  to  him  some  incidents  of  his  march,  which 
will  be  found  in  the  note.* — We  wished  much  to  go  in  near 
town,  also  ;  but  we  had  no  orders  so  to  do.  We  were  satis- 

CAPT-  HATITES'  COMPANY    WITH    GEX.  q.UIT3f All's    BRIGADE. 

*  "  At  Victoria,  my  company  having  been  detached  from  the  regiment,  to  march  with 
Gen.  Quitman's  brigade,  and  being  ordered  by  Gen.  Quitman  to  remain  behind  the 
troops,  till  all  the  wagons,  &c.,  had  left  the  city,  we  took  our  post  near  the  plaza. — 
Here  we  saw  the  Mississippi  regiment  of  volunteers,  Capt  Bragg's  and  Lieut.  Thomas' 
companies  of  light  artillery,  and  Col.  May's  squadron  of  dragoons,  headed  by  Old 
Rough  and  Ready,  pass  from  their  encampment,  through  the  city,  on  their  counter- 
march towards  Monterey.  The  general  was  dressed  very  plainly,  and  accompanied 
by  his  staff.  His  appearance  is  that  of  a  plain,  blunt,  and  honest  farmer,  rather  than 
that  of  an  old  regular  officer ;  who  are  generally  great  sticklers  for  military  dress.  Not 
so  with  Gen.  Taylor.  In  plain  citizen's  dress,  with  forage  cap,  mounted  upon  a  small 
Mexican  horse,  which  was,  perhaps,  captured  in  some  of  the  battles,  he  did  not  look 
like  the  great  general,  and  the  great  military  chieftain.  At  least,  so  said  those  who 
had  not  seen  him  before. 

" '  Why,'  said  one,  to  whom  he  was  pointed  out, '  is  that  General  Taylor  ?  I  never 
should  have  taken  that  man  for  General  Taylor ! ' 

" '  He  is  not  as  tall  as  I  supposed  he  was,'  said  one. 

" '  He  is  a  younger  man  than  he  is  represented  to  be,'  said  another. 

«  Bowing  politely  to  all,  and  occasionally  stopping  to  bid  adieu  to  some  old  soldier 
or  volunteer,  who  had  lingered  on  the  streets  to  catch  a  parting  glimpse  of  their 
beloved  general,  Old  Rough  and  Ready  passed  out  of  Victoria,  followed  by  the  kind 
wishes  of  the  whole  army.  His  little  army,  that  went  back  with  him,  numbered  only 
between  seven  hundred  and  fifty,  and  eight  hundred. 

"  About  noon,  we  left  the  city  of  Victoria.  The  Mexican  population  flowed  out  to 
see  the  army  march  off,  apparently  much  disconcerted,  to  see  columns  march  off 
towards  the  south,  and  the  north ;  and  many  were  their  inquiries,  as  to  which  route 
Gen.  Taylor  would  march. 

"  Being  obliged  to  remain  until  all  the  troops  of  both  armies  had  left,  my  company 
patrolled  the  city,  in  different  directions.  Availing  myself  of  the  promising  appear- 
ance of  the  interior  of  a  Mexican  fonda  (eating-house),  kept  by  a  senora,  who  had 


RETURN  OF  COMPANY  FROM  SCOUTING.  385 

fied  to  remain  where  we  were,  for  we  had  a  fine,  shady  camp, 
plenty  of  forage,  plenty  of  provisions,  and  nothing  in  the 
world  to  do ;  and  beside  that,  were,  at  that  time,  most 
remarkably  fond  of  repose. 

January  27tfi.  Company  G  returned  from  its  scout  in  the 
state  of  Vera  Cruz,  where  they  had  been  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  a  large  Mexican  force,  under  Gen.  Cos,  which  has 
been  there  collected  for  some  time  ;  with  that  general's  head 
quarters  at  Tuspan,  about  seventy-five  or  eighty  miles  to  the 
southward. 

The  engineers  sent  out,  under  protection  of  the  company, 
finished  their  observation  satisfactorily. — They  reported  that 
section  of  country  as  being  fertile,  producing  in  abundance 
pine  apples,  cocoa  nuts,  and  every  kind  of  the  richest  fruits, 

CAPT.  HATSES'    COMPANY    WITH    GEN.  Q.UITMAs's    BRIGADE. 

made  herself  very  obliging  to  those  who  liked  Mexican  dishes,  with  a  friend  or  two, 
I  entered  her  house,  called  for '  cafe,  pan,  gallinas,  huevos'  which  means  coffee, 
bread,  chickens,  and  eggs.  Everything  was  soon  ready,  and  our  hostess  assured  us, 
that  it  was  all  done  up  in  American  style. 

"  Having  seen  a  commotion  amongst  the  soldiery,  she  inquired  if  we  were  all  going 
away.  We  told  her  yes.  She  wished  to  know  if  Gen.  Taylor  was  gone.  We  told 
her,  all,  but  us ;  and  we  would  be  off  immediately.  Assuming  a  thoughtful  air,  she 
exclaimed, "  Yo  soy  triste  !  Mui  trisle  !  "  (I  am  sad — I  am  grieved)  ;  and  then,  as  if 
soliloquising,  she  continued : '  entonces,  no  puedo  vender  mas  cafe,  ni  pan,  ni  hue- 
vos ,•  ni  mas  gallinas .''  (Then,  I  shall  sell  no  more  coffee,  nor  bread,  nor  eggs ;  no 
more  chickens.)  '  Americanos,  mui  amigos  !  Mexicanos,  mal  /'  (Americans,  good 
friends ;  Mexicans,  bad.) 

"  Much  amused  at  the  sadness  of  this  money-loving  dame,  we  mounted  our  horses, 
and  marching  round  the  plaza,  we  left  the  city  at  one  side,  as  a  Mexican  body  of  cav- 
alry (as  we  afterwards  learned),  entered  it  at  the  other. 

"  Everything  went  on  quietly,  till  the  evening  of  the  second  day ;  when  a  small  party 
of  my  company,  who  had  gone  out  to  drive  in  beeves,  saw  a  party  of  Mexican  cav- 
alry, about  six  miles  ahead  of  our  camp.  Next  morning,  a  beef-contractor,  named 
Bigelow,  who  started  from  the  centre  brigade,  in  the  morning,  to  come  back  to  ours, 
was  fired  upon,  and  pursued  for  some  distance,  by  a  party  of  Mexican  cavalry, 
who  shot  him  through  the  leg.  The  fleetness  of  his  horse  enabled  him  to  reach  an 
advanced  party  of  my  company.  That  evening,  Lieut  Chambliss,  with  twenty  of  the 
Giles'  troopers,  went  forward  some  miles,  to  ascertain  the  position  of  the  Mexicans,  but 
they  had  disappeared  in  the  chapparal. 

"  Two  days  afterwards,  a  party  of  Mexican  cavalry,  armed  with  lances  and  rifles, 
attacked  a  few  men  of  the  Georgia  RegU  and  Balt'e  Batt'n.,  who  had  dropped  behind 
the  rear  guard,  and  killed  one,  took  another  prisoner,  and  were  in  pursuit  of  others, 
who  were  relieved  by  the  gallantry  of  Henry  Pitts,  David  My  res  and  P.  C.  Morton, 
privates  of  my  company.  Being  in  the  rear  of  the  column  near  two  miles,  and  hear* 
25 


386       BEAUTY  OF  THE  COUNTRY  SOUTH  OF  THE  PANUCO. 

and  most  fragrant  and  beautiful  flowers  ; — of  tall  trees,  of 
growth  and  luxuriance  previously  unknown  to  them  ; — of 
most  lovely  lakes  spread  out,  winding  in  a  thousand  shapes  ; 
— of  fields  of  maguey,  larger  even  than  any  before  seen  ; — 
of  lofty  hills  ; — of  most  luxuriant  valleys  of  green  ; — of  the 
air  refreshed  by  the  sea  breeze,  which  is  loaded  with  the 
fragrance  of  the  orange  blossoms ; — of  the  valleys  having 
fields  of  sugar-cane,  of  great  size  ;  and,  in  one  word,  as  a 
perfect  earthly  paradise.  It  was  amusing  to  observe  the 
enthusiasm  with  which  all  of  the  company  spoke  of  it,  offi- 
cers and  men. 

We  heard  before  their  return,  from  the  Mexicans,  that  the 
country  south  of  the  Panuco,  and  up  along  its  bank,  was  ex- 
tremely beautiful  and  fertile,  and  therefore  we  did  not  dis- 
credit the  accounts  of  the  men,  though,  as  said  before,  it  was 
amusing  to  hear  how  flowing  were  their  descriptions  of  its 
attractions. 

CAPT.    UAYNES'    COMPANY    WITH    GEX.    Q.UITM  AX'S    BRIGADE. 

ing  the  guns  in  their  rear,  they  charged  back  in  a  gallop.  The  lancers,  seeing  them 
approaching,  supposed  a  body  of  cavalry  was  near,  and  fled  to  the  thick  chapparal. — 
One  man  with  difficulty  saved  himself  from  their  lances,  by  climbing  a  small  thorn- 
tree,  the  leaves  of  which  hid  him  from  their  view. 

"  Before  day  the  next  morning,  my  company  marched  back,  by  order  of  Gen.  Quit- 
man,  and  lay  in  ambush,  on  the  roadside,  hoping  that  the  lancers  would  follow  on, — 
but  they  had  taken  the  alarm.  There  was  a  body  of  Mexican  cavalry,  who  had 
been,  until  then,  following  in  our  rear. 

"The  only  remaining  incident  is  to  be  told. — At  Altamira,  which  is  a  town  of 
between  one  and  two  thousand  inhabitants,  a  horse  was  stolen  from  my  company,  as 
we  left  the  encampment.  In  the  evening  I  returned  from  our  next  camp  with  ten 
men,  and  calling  on  the  alcalde  of  Altamira,  inquired  of  bim  whether  any  Mexican  had 
brought  an  American  horse  into  the  town.  He  said,  at  first,  that  he  did  not  know; 
then  that  he  would  inquire,  and  soon  after  said  '  yes ;  there  was  a  horse,  which  he 
had  sent  into  the  country.'  His  evasive  answers  led  to  a  suspicion  of  his  honesty, 
and  I  immediately  took  him  prisoner,  and  placed  a  man  on  each  side  of  him,  with  a 
loaded  carbine.  This  produced  quite  an  excitement  in  the  town.  The  crowd  gath- 
ered round  us  quite  boldly,  and  the  second  alcalde  came  forward,  to  remonstrate 
against  the  arrest  of  his  brother.  His  remonstrance  soon  exhibited  the  fact,  that  he 
had  secreted  another  horse,  which  had  been  stolen  from  the  Tennessee  cavalry ; 
so  he  was  ordered  to  take  his  seat  between  the  sentinels  as  a  prisoner.  They  were 
then  told,  that  unless  the  horses  were  forthcoming  in  half  an  hour,  they  would  be  car- 
ried off.  They  immediately  ordered  out  some  men  on  horseback,  to  bring  in  the 
stolen  animals.  In  ten  minutes,  one  was  brought  in ;  in  half  an  hour  another,  and 
shortly  after,  a  third,  with  the  two  men  who  had  received  the  horse  from  the  thief;  but 
the  thief  was  allowed  to  escape. 


BANANA  PLANTS.  387 

This  little  place  of  La  Encarnacion  had  only  a  few  houses, 
one  of  which  was  of  stone,  with  a  store.  Here,  too,  was 
the  largest  garden  of  bananas  that  we  had  seen. — The 
growth  of  this  tall  plant,  with  its  fruit,  is  well  known  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  United  States. — Here  it  was  about  ten 
feet  high,  with  its  long  waving  leaves  of  green,  and  hanging 
bunches  of  cucumber-shaped  fruit,  making  a  fine  appear- 
ance, especially  as  it  was  planted  so  thickly.  It  seemed  to 
be  the  main  "  staff  of  life"  with  the  inhabitants  of  this  sec- 
tion of  Mexico. 

— We  found  here  a  stone  idol,  of  the  ancient  Mexican,  or 
Aztec  race,  which  idol,  we  were  informed  by  the  intelligent 
owner  of  the  house,  was  dug  up  not  far  from  this  place,  with 
many  other  things,  instruments  and  utensils,  which  he  said 
were  now  all  lost.  This  idol  is  about  three  feet  high,  and 
with  its  pointed  pedestal,  is  one  piece ;  of  a  rude  style  of 
sculpture,  but  cut  with  great  care.  A  sketch  of  it  was  taken 

CAPT.  HAYKES'  COMPACT   WITH    GEK.  Q.UITMAs's    BRIGADE. 

"  Taking  possession  of  the  recovered  horses,  the  alcaldes  were  ordered  to  mount,  anil 
we  started  with  them  to  the  camp,  with  the  assurance  that  we  would  keep  them  pris- 
oners, until  ther  thief  should  be  brought  to  us ;  but  the  junior  alcalde  offered,  if  we 
would  allow  him  to  remain,  to  have  the  thief  captured.  We  left  him,  therefore,  with 
a  promise,  that  if  he  did  not  send  us  the  thief  the  next  day,  we  would  return  and  take 
him  to  camp  also. 

"  About  this  time,  some  Mexicans,  six  or  seven  in  number,  armed  with  swords  and 
pistols,  rode  up  near  us ;  these  we  quickly  disarmed  and  made  prisoners,  also. — Our 
party  was  ten  in  all  Our  prisoners,  one  alcalde,  three  horse-thieves,  six  pack  mules, 
bearing  forty  or  fifty  gallons  of  muscal,  six  or  seven  disarmed  men,  and  another,  who 
could  speak  a  little  English,  and  begged  us  to  take  him  a  prisoner  also,  as  he  was 
determined  to  die  with  his  particular  friend,  the  Senor  Alcalde.  His  request  was 
promptly  granted,  and  he  was  ordered  into  line. — With  this  cavalcade  of  prisoners, 
mules,  and  recaptured  horses,  we  entered  our  camp,  sometime  after  midnight. — Early 
in  the  morning  the  thief  was  captured,  and  placed  at  our  command,  and  we  re- 
leased the  alcalde,  whose  rejoicings,  at  his  deliverance,  were  only  equalled  by  the 
fright  during  his  captivity.  This  was  the  last  horse  stolen  by  the  citizens  of  Alta- 
mira." 

Some  complaint  was  soon  after  made  by  the  Mexicans,  to  Gen.  Quitman,  of  this 
capture,  who  reported  the  affair  to  Gen.  Patterson,  who  very  wisely  passed  the  matter 
over.  It  was  said,  at  the  time,  that  these  gentlemen  attached  some  blame  to  Cnpt. 
Haynes,  for  having  thus  summarily  dealt  with  the  rascals,  who  aided  and  abetted  in 
the  stealing  of  his  horses.  Rather  than  of  censure,  for  capturing  them,  that  officer 
was  deserving  of  praise.  If  officers  higher  in  command  than  him,  had  acted  in  the 
•ame  prompt  way  that  he  did,  when  in  command  of  his  separate  detachment,  it  would 
have  been  better  than  the  milder,  temporizing  course  that  was  pursued. 


388 


ANCIENT   MEXICAN  IDOL. 


by  the  author,  both  side  and  front  view,  which  will  be  seen 
below. 

It  is  one  of  the  numerous  idols  that  were  worshipped  by 
the  ancient  Mexicans,  before  the  conquest  of  Mexico  by  Cor- 
tes, in  the  year  1521. — It  has  much  resemblance  to  the  old 
Egyptian  style  of  sculpture ;  and  from  this,  as  well  as  the 
similar  customs,  in  some  respects,  the  present  pyramids  in 
both  countries,  the  similar  ancient  calendars,  &c.,  some  rea- 
sons might  be  obtained  to  establish  the  similarity,  or  iden- 
tity, of  the  two  races. — The  carved  apron  in  front  of  this 
image  was  curiously  wrought,  and  the  two  figures  in  the  cen- 
tre, now  worn  by  time,  appear  to  be  the  disfigured  remains 
of  two  large  hieroglyphics. — The  ears  of  the  image  are  large, 
and  nearly  square,  and  stand  directly  out  from  the  head ; — 
the  pointed  pedestal  appears  as  if  made  to  fit  into  a  socket. 
Of  its  general  appearance,  the  reader  can  get  a  good  idea 
from  the  sketch,  which  is  a  correct  likeness. 

There  was  considerable  sickness  in  the  regiment  now,  and 
one  man,  James  Allen,  of  Captain  Gillaspie's  company,  died 
to-day.  His  comrades  made  a  coffin  from  a  gun  box,  which 
they  were  so  fortunate  as  to  procure. — Most  of  those  who 
have  died  have  been  buried  without  coffins,  for  no  material 
of  which  to  make  them  could  be  procured. 

January  28th.  Our  regiment  of  cavalry,  the  first  and  sec- 
ond Tennessee  infantry,  comprising,  in  all,  the  Tennessee 


MARCH   TO  TAMPICO.  389 

brigade,  under  General  Pillow,  were  this  morning  ordered  by 
him  to  strike  their  tents,  and  march  to  an  encampment  se- 
lected near  Tampico. 

The  morning  was  very  pleasant,  and  the  work  of  striking 
tents,  loading  wagons,  saddling  up,  &c.,  was  quickly  per- 
formed, and  we  were  soon  in  lines  and  on  the  march.  The 
second  battalion  of  our  regiment,  under  Major  Waterhouse, 
were  in  advance  ;  then  we  of  the  first  battalion,  under  Lt.- 
col.  Allison,  followed ;  then  came  the  first  Tennessee  regi- 
ment of  infantry,  under  Col.  Campbell  ;  then  the  second  regi- 
ment, Col.  Haskell ;  then  a  small  train  of  company  wagons  ; 
then  the  rear  guard. 

Our  battalion  being  a  little  behind  hand,  had  some 
trouble  to  pass  the  infantry,  to  get  into  our  position. — The 
sun  was  hot,  but  we  were  shaded  from  it  by  the  lofty  oaks, 
the  extended  branches  of  which,  in  some  places,  nearly  met 
over  the  wide  road. — Five  miles  took  us  through  this  sandy 
level  forest,  to  the  cultivated  hills.  Here  we  halted  for 
a  little  while,  to  allow  the  infantry  to  come  up  ;  for  on  the 
good  road  we  had  got  nearly  a  mile  in  advance  of  them. — 
In  this  halt  we  had  leisure  to  observe  the  surpassing  beauty 
of  the  scenery  around  us. 

On  our  right,  far  down  at  the  base  of  the  hills,  was  the 
wide  lake,  spread  out  more  beautiful  still  than  we  had  before 
seen  it,  on  account  of  our  height  above  it,  which  enabled  us 
to  look  down  on  its  extent,  and  over  the  numberless  beauti- 
ful green  islands,  with  which  its  calm  surface  was  relieved. 
Here  and  there,  among  the  islands,  could  be  seen  the  long 
slender  lines  of  the  boats  of  the  inhabitants,  moving  al- 
most imperceptibly  on  the  brilliant  surface  of  the  water, 
which  was  unruffled  even  by  a  ripple. — The  natural  beauty  of 
this  lake,  as  seen  from  these  hills,  with  the  tall  blue  emi- 
nences far  beyond  it,  rising  in  the  horizon,  is  seldom  excel- 
led.— But,  on  the  other  hand,  the  prospect,  to  the  left,  was 
delightful : — The  hills  were  clothed  in  perpetual  green,  of  a 
heavy  growth  of  tropical  trees,  of  the  richest  appearance  ; — 
here  in  forests,  there  singly  or  in  groves ;  while  ranchos 
were  thickly  scattered  around  far  down  in  the  vales,  or 
perched,  as  it  were,  high  up  on  the  hill-sides. — The  bloom 


390  BEAUTIFUL  SCENERY. 

of  nature,  the  fresh  green  of  all  vegetation,  was  delightful. 
— Orange  trees,  lemon,  and  many  other  kinds,  and  vines,  with 
soft  leaves  and  luxuriant  foliage,  were  thickly  growing. — 
We  saw  no  musquit,  so  thorny ;  no  prickly  pear,  as  much  so  , 
no  sword  palmetto  to  pierce,  and  but  little  cactus,  of  any 
species.  This  seemed  to  be  a  garden  spot,  from  which  most 
of  the  thorns  had  been  expelled. 

After  a  little  time  spent  in  gazing  on  this  scene,  in  itself 
so  beautiful  as  to  be  worth  a  journey  of  a  hundred  miles  to 
see,  the  infantry  came  near,  and  we  were  ordered  on  over 
the  hills,  up  and  down  their  long,  cultivated  sides. — Among 
these,  three  miles  from  town,  in  a  beautiful  place,  was  Quit- 
man's  brigade  encamped.  Passing  this,  we  were  again  halt- 
ed at  the  last  hill,  before  reaching  town,  for  the  infantry. 

Here  was  another  view  as  beautiful  as  before,  but  some- 
what different. — On  the  right  was  still  the  level  lake,  here 
merging  into  the  river ; — its  pretty  islands,  which  we  had 
passed  behind,  were  succeeded  by  others  equally  picturesque. 
More  boats  were  seen,  far  below,  upon  its  surface. — On  the 
left,  as  we  stood,  were  still  the  fertile  hills  and  valleys,  with 
extensive  fields  of  sugar-cane,  banana,  corn,  pine  apples, 
and  other  products. — But,  to  the  front,  was  the  main  pic 
ture  : — The  city  of  Tampico  lay  before  and  below  us,  with 
its  white  buildings  and  large  extent.  The  American  flag, 
from  a  lofty  staff,  was  seen  flying  out  above  it ; — the  forests 
of  masts  of  vessels,  with  their  colors,  were  in  the  river  be- 
yond, giving  animation  to  the  scene. 

This  river  flowed  around  in  front,  and  passed  far  off  to  the 
left,  where  a  little  patch  of  the  blue  sea,  at  its  mouth,  could 
be  perceived,  with  the  tall  black  dots,  as  it  were,  of  the  heavy 
ships  that  there  lay  at  anchor. — Over  the  river,  in  front,  and 
bounding  the  view,  were  a  long  range  of  hills,  not  bare  in  a 
single  spot,  but  covered  with  a  forest  of  the  freshest  green. 
In  the  foreground,  on  looking  down  the  road,  were  the  line  of 
cavalry,  seen  halted  all  the  way  down  the  hill ; — beyond  them, 
the  road  was  thickly  studded  with  men,  and  small  droves  of 
jacks  and  mules,  going  to,  and  returning  from  market ;  and 
wagons  with  their  white  covers,  bringing  out  provisions,  &c., 
to  the  camp  of  Gen.  Twiggs,  which  was  near  this  place,  and 


EXTENSIVE   PROSPECTS.  391 

Gen.  Quitman's,  still  farther  back. — Beyond  these  objects,  as 
the  road  again  rose  the  hill  to  enter  the  town,  was  in  view, 
first,  the  stone  cemetery,  on  the  right ;  the  new  fortification 
in  front;  and  down  still  farther  than  these,  to  the  left,  near  the 
margin  of  another  lake,  was  a  new  fort,  yet  unfinished,  and 
upon  which  scores  of  men  were  then  at  work. — That  lake 
spread  out  on  that  side  of  the  city,  between  the  hill  upon 
which  the  fort  was  built,  and  a  long,  wide,  level  plain,  that 
again,  beyond,  stretched  away  to  the  river. 

Upon  the  river,  in  the  distance,  towing  up  vessels,  were 
several  steamers,  throwing  long  lines  of  black  smoke  be- 
hind them.  The  other  view,  first  mentioned,  was  lovely, 
but  this  extensive  scene  exceeded  it  in  beauty ;  for  it 
united  sea  and  land,  lakes,  river,  islands,  forests,  city,  ves- 
sels, army,  camp,  roads,  fields,  and  crowds  of  men  at  differ- 
ent labors. — Where  could  a  scene  more  comprehensive,  more 
beautiful,  be  found  ? 

After  the  infantry  again  came  up,  we  were  ordered  to 
proceed.  We  passed  down  the  long  hill,  and  rose  upon  the 
other,  of  more  gentle  slope.  Proceeding  by  the  cemetery,  we 
struck  the  town  at  the  fortification,  near  a  large  two  story 
stone  building — the  military  hospital ;  and,  winding  through 
the  long  streets,  descended  to  the  main  plaza.  From  there, 
we  passed  on  through  the  business  portion  of  the  city,  though 
continually  descending,  until  we  reached  the  river's  edge ; — 
here  we  turned  to  the  left,  and,  following  the  road  that  led 
out  of  the  city  towards  the  mouth  of  the  river,  a  short  dis- 
tance brought  us  to  a  stone  bridge,  thrown  over  the  canal, 
which  connects  the  smaller  lake  spoken  of,  to  the  left,  with 
the  river.  When  this  was  crossed,  we  came  out  upon  a  spa- 
cious plain,  level  as  a  floor,  bounded  by  the  river  on  the 
right,  the  lake  on  the  left,  and  high  hills  in  front.  As  we 
proceeded  down,  on  one  of  these  an  old  fort  was  to  be  seen. 
— This  plain  contained  eight  or  nine  hundred  acres  ;  was  un- 
interrupted, in  its  whole  extent,  by  any  enclosure  or  houses, 
(save  two  small  ones  on  the  river  bank) ;  and  was  covered 
with  a  low  growth  of  green  weeds :  the  cool  breeze  blew 
gently  over  it ;  and  there  was  much  beauty  in  the  place. — 
Looking  back,  over  the  canal  and  lake,  we  saw  the  city  of 


392  ENCAMPMENT  NEAR  TAMPICO. 

Tampico,  now  above  us — the  buildings  rising  on  the  side  ot 
the  hill  like  terraces,  one  over  another. 

As  we  marched  out  on  the  plain,  away  from  the  city,  and 
towards  the  old  fort  on  the  hill,  at  the  extremity  of  the  plain 
the  advance  were  halted :  the  infantry  came  up  behind  us. 
The  three  regiments  were  then  marched  square  off  to  the 
right,  which  soon  brought  all  down  to  the  edge  of  the  river 
again,  upon  the  bank  of  which  they  halted  and  encamped ; 
our  regiment  being  the  farthest  from  the  city,  Col.  Haskell's 
next,  and  Col.  Campbell's  nearest,  not  being  far  from  the  ca- 
nal and  bridge.  Here  we  had  a  splendid  place  for  a  camp  : 
•—The  lovely  river  was  on  one  side,  with  vessels  and  steam- 
boats coming  by  and  returning ;  the  city  was  in  full  view ; 
the  plain  was  large  enough  for  several  thousands  to  drill 
and  parade  upon  ;  the  hills  were  near ;  and  old  ocean  him- 
self was  but  five  miles  off,  and  in  view. 

Only  two  inconveniences  we  found  : — One  was,  that  all 
the  water  in  the  river  was  *8omewhat  salt,  and  our  drinking 
water  had  to  be  brought  from  a  large  circular  wooden  cistern, 
above  ground,  on  the  canal,  near  the  bridge,  about  half  a 
mile  from  our  regiment. — This  cistern  was  kept  full  by  many 
Mexicans,  who  were  continually  employed,  with  large  boats 
filled  with  hogsheads,  in  going  up  the  river,  to  the  fresh  wa- 
ter, filling  these,  bringing  them  back,  and  discharging  their 
contents  into  the  cistern  ; — to  do  this,  bringing  their  boats 
into  the  canal,  close  to  it. — From  this,  it  was  drawn  off  into 
our  buckets,  as  we  wished  it. 

The  other  was  the  want  of  wood. — Upon  first  encamping, 
we  collected  all  the  loose  drift  wood  that  the  winds  and 
waves  had  thrown  upon  the  shore,  close  to  us.  This,  al- 
though soaked  with  salt  water,  and  covered  with  barnacles, 
(a  small  sea  shell  that  adheres  in  numbers  to  all  wood  and 
other  objects  exposed  in  salt  water),  yet  burned  well  after 
the  sun  and  wind  had  dried  it.  After  this  was  gone,  we  had 
to  go  with  the  wagons  to  the  hills,  towards  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  to  obtain  any  kind  that  we  could  get,  with  more  labor 
than  ever  before  ; — yet,  during  our  stay  at  this  encampment, 
we  always  found  enough. 

There  was  not  a  particle  of  shade  here,  but  at  this  season 


ABUNDANT   SUPPLIES.  393 

of  the  year,  though  sometimes  very  hot,  the  sea  breeze  kept 
the  air  at  a  pleasant  temperature. 

Here,  now,  we  were  comfortably  placed  at  the  city  of 
Tampico,  the  second  commercial  town  in  the  republic  of 
Mexico,  three  hundred  and  twelve  miles  from  the  capital, 
near  the  mouth  of  the  river  Panuco,  in  the  midst  of  as  lovely 
a  country  as  is  to  be  found  on  the  globe ;  and  here  we  were 
furnished  with  every  comfort,  every  convenience,  that  soldiers 
in  a  foreign  land  could  expect  or  ask  for. — Provisions  of  ev- 
ery kind,  used  in  the  army,  were  abundantly  issued  to  us  ; — 
oats,  corn,  and  hay,  for  our  horses,  as  much  as  they  could 
eat ; — and  our  duty,  during  our  stay  here  of  forty  days,  was 
light,  being  principally  drills  and  parades  ;  which,  though 
keeping  us  continually  employed,  and  often  tiresome,  yet 
were  by  no  means  hard. 

The  course  of  the  journal,  from  day  to  day,  along,  will 
be  interrupted,  and  only  written  at  intervals,  during  this 
stay  of  forty  days  ;  for  the  course  of  one  day  was  often 
so  much  that  of  the  day  preceding,  that  the  repetition  of 
the  same  scenes  would  be  tiresome  to  the  reader. — The  next 
chapter,  X,  will  be  devoted  to  a  description  of  the  scenes 
that,  met  our  observation  at  Tampico ;  chapter  XI,  bringing 
up  the  operations  of  the  other  divisions  of  the  army,  hap- 
pening in  the  meantime  ;  and  we  will  commence  chapter 
XII  with  our  departure  from  Tampico  for  Vera  Cruz,  still  far- 
ther to  the  southward,  and  at  this  time  in  the  possession  of 
the  enemy. 

NOTE REFERRING    TO    PAGE    378. 

The  Mexicans  do  not  use  chewing-tobacco,  but  are  continually  smoking.  Their  govern- 
ment turns  this  habit  of  the  people  to  a  means  of  revenue.  The  cigars  used  in  the  country,  are 
all  made  in  the  government  establishments  j  and  sold  at  the  same  price  everywhere.  If  any 
tobacco  is  found  upon  the  premises  of  any  person,  save  of  those  who  sell  it  for  the  govern- 
ment, called  Estanquts,  the  delinquent  is  punished  with  a  fine  of  five  hundred  dollars,  and  ono 
year's  imprisonment. — The  government  contracts  every  year,  with  a  merchant,  for  the  quan- 
tity they  want.  He  contracts  with  certain  haciendas  to  raise  this  amount,  which  is  done,  and 
no  other  person  in  the  nation  is  allowed  to  raise  a  single  plant. — The  Estanque  of  every  town 
is  appointed  by  the  government;  and  is  under  bond  and  security,  for  the  faithful  payment  of 
Ihe  proceeds  of  the  puros  (large  cigars),  and  eigarros  (small  ones),  that  the  governor  forwards 
to  him,  from  time  to  time.  The  Estanque  furnishes  other  shops  with  cigars,  and  allows  them 
to  sell,  on  his  own  responsibility ;  these  are  called  Estanquillas.  The  Estanque  makes  returns 
monthly  to  the  governor,  reserving  six  per  cent.,  for  his  pay. — Besides,  no  note,  deed,  or  bond, 
is  valid  in  Mexico,  without  it  is  written  upon  paper  stamped  with  the  seal  of  the  government 
(papclsdlado).  The  price  of  this  is  placed  at  from  a  quarter  of  a  dollar  to  two  dollars  and  a  half 
per  sheet,  according  to  the  instrument  to  be  written ;  and  no  one  can  sell  it  but  the  Estanque. 


CHAPTER    X 

FEBRUARY  4ra.  We  had  been  now  at  Tampico  a  week, 
had  become  well  acquainted  with  its  position,  appearance, 
&c.,  and  we  will  endeavor  to  give  the  reader  a  correct  idea 
of  it.  We  have  mentioned  the  old  fort  on  the  hill,  at  the 
farther  extremity  of  the  plain  from  the  camp,  and  the  course 
toward  the  mouth  of  the  river.  From  this  fort  is  a  fine  pros- 
pect.— The  author  sketched  two  views  from  it,  which  are 
presented.  (See  plates.) 

This,  called  Fort  Andonega,  stands  on  a  high  eminence, 
looking  down  on  the  plain,  river  and  lake,  and  com- 
mands the  city.  In  the  first  view,  reader,  imagine  your- 
self standing  on  this  old  fort,  looking  towards  the  south- 
west.— As  you  see  in  the  picture,  the  wall  is  in  front  of  you ; 
this  wall  is  of  stone  and  cement,  and  is  about  eight  feet 
thick,  eloped  off  on  the  top.  Over  the  wall,  you  look  down 
on  a  tangled  mass  of  small  timber  and  vines  ;  a  little  brook 
runs  round  in  there,  and  then  flows  under  the  base  of  the  hill 
on  which  you  are,  and  continues  on  to  the  river  below ; — be- 
yond the  thicket  of  brush-wood,  you  see  the  smaller  lake, 
which  has  been  mentioned ;  a  long  canoe,  with  a  sail,  is  upon 
it,  having  come  through  the  canal. 

Over  the  lake,  on  the  hill,  you  see  the  city. — You  observe 
that  it  falls  off  from  the  centre,  down  to  the  river,  on  the 
left.  At  the  right  extremity  of  the  city  you  observe  a  tall 
building,  with  a  flag  over  it.  It  has  been  turned  into  a  fort, 
and  has  artillery  mounted  on  its  flat  roof,  though  the  pieces 
are  not  to  be  perceived  at  this  distance. — To  the  right  of 
that,  you  see  a  large  building ;  that  is  the  military  hospital ; 
built  and  used  as  such,  by  the  Mexicans,  and  appropriated 
(394) 


^tt&fc 


t 


THE  CITY  OF  TAMPICO. 

by  our  forces  to  the  same  purpose.  The  road  from  the  inte- 
rior, by  which  we  entered  the  city,  comes  in  there.  To  the 
right  of  that,  is  the  campo  santo,  or  cemetery,  with  its  stone 
walls  and  lofty  gate.  There  is  another  to  its  left,  but  it  is 
concealed  from  view  by  the  hospital.  Nearly  between  you 
and  the  cemetery,  and  not  far  from  the  edge  of  the  lake,  you 
Bee  a  new  fort,  with  a  flag  above  it;  it  is  yet  unfinished,  and 
has  been  before  mentioned.  To  the  right  of  these,  and  far- 
ther up,  you  see  the  tents  of  part  of  Gen.  Shields'  brigade. 

Now,  reader,  could  you  be  on  the  top  of  the  building  with 
the  flag  upon  it,  or  at  the  cemetery,  or  on  the  top  of  the  hill, 
anywhere  there,  you  would  see  below  you,  on  the  other  side, 
the  river,  the  mouth  of  the  lake,  both  widely  spread  out  with 
the  beautiful  islands  spoken  of,  and  lovely  channels  between. 

You  would  see  far  over  these,  still  onward,  a  blue  range 
of  hills,  in  the  distance  ;  and  could  you  be  across  the  waters, 
and  upon  those  hills,  then  you  could  look  down  on  the  vast 
expanse  of  lake  Tamiaqua,  an  inland  sea,  in  extent,  that 
runs  far  to  the  southward,  and  is  separated  from  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  by  a  high,  long,  range  of  hills.  Its  wide  inlet  com- 
municates with  the  Gulf,  far  to  the  southward,  beyond  this 
range,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Tuspan  river ;  but  over  all  its 
shores,  as  well  as  up  to  the  Panuco  river,  Gen.  Cos,  with  his 
Mexican  army,  holds  possession. 

On  the  left  of  the  picture,  from  Fort  Andonega,  you  seer 
first,  part  of  the  extensive  plain,  which  has  been  described, 
and  on  the  farther  extremity  of  which  the  Tennessee  brigade, 
under  Gen.  Pillow,  is  encamped ;  the  tents  of  the  first  regi- 
ment of  which  can  be  seen.  Those  of  the  second,  are  still 
farther  to  the  left,  and  nearer,  in  the  bend  of  the  river,  and 
our  regiment  in  the  same  bend,  still  nearer.  You  perceive 
that  the  long  skirt  of  low  timber  extends  up  to  the  left  from 
the  main  body,  and  is  between  the  lake  and  the  plain;  its 
extremity  conceals  the  canal,  which  there  runs  from  the  river 
to  the  lake.  It  also  hides  from  view  the  bridge  over  this 
canal.  There  is  a  new  fort  there,  made  by  our  forces,  which 
is  also  concealed  ;  beside,  an  old  circular  one  of  the  Mexicans, 
now  nearly  torn  to  pieces. — Beyond  the  camp  you  see  the 
river,  that  flows  round  from  the  other  side  of  the  city ;  over 


400  VIEWS  FROM   FORT  ANDONEGA. 

the  lower  part  of  which  can  be  seen  the  numerous  masts  of 
the  vessels  there  at  anchor.  A  large  flag  can  be  seen  over 
this  part  of  the  city.  It  is  on  the  flag-staff  in  the  plaza  de 
Camercio,  or  the  lower  plaza,  adjoining  the  river.  Beyond 
the  vessels,  and  over  the  river,  concealed  by  numerous 
islands,  is  Pueblo  Viejo,  or  old  Tampico,  the  former  city,  a 
very  old  place.  This  new  city  of  Tampico  haa  sprung  up 
in  late  years  ;  the  population  settling  here  on  account  of  the 
better  harbor. 

Now,  reader,  from  the  picture  and  the  description  of  it,  you 
have  a  correct  idea  of  the  situation  of  Tampico ;  and,  hav- 
ing sufficiently  observed  the  position  of  the  city,  and  all  the 
prominent  objects  about  the  exterior  of  it,  turn  slowly  round 
to  your  left,  and  in  imagination  see  the  plain  below  you,  the 
remainder  of  the  camp  of  the  Tennessee  brigade,  and  the 
river,  which  comes  nearer  to  you  than  before,  while  the  high, 
forest-covered  banks  opposite,  are  pleasant  to  view,  from  the 
peculiar  freshness  of  their  green. — Turn  completely  round, 
with  your  back  to  the  city,  and  then  the  other  picture  is 
before  you.  First  you  look  upon  the  area  of  the  small  fort 
in  which  you  stand.  Three  Mexicans  are  there,  smoking 
their  cigarros,  and  talking  of  the  steamboat  which  is  towing 
up  the  brig  in  the  river.  In  the  fort,  on  the  right,  and  front, 
you  observe  the  stone  platforms,  on  which  formerly  stood  the 
heavy  pieces  of  artillery,  which  bore  down  upon  the  river. 
On  the  left,  is  a  building,  now  decaying,  with  the  tiles  nearly 
gone  from  its  roof;  it  was  used  for  the  barracks  of  the  gar- 
rison, and  when  our  naval  forces  first  took  the  city,  in 
November  last,  it  was  occupied  by  marines  from  the  ships  of 
war  ;  then,  the  former  name  of  the  fort,  Andonega,  was  abol- 
ished, and  it  was  now  called  Fort  Conner,  in  honor  of  the 
commodore. — The  marines  held  it  until  the  arrival  of  the  land 
forces;  when,  with  much  ceremony,  the  possession  of  the 
city  and  all  the  forts,  was  handed  over,  by  the  naval  offi- 
cers, to  those  of  the  army. — By  the  last,  this  has  not  been 
occupied,  for  no  attack  is  feared  from  sea. — On  the  left  of 
the  picture,  can  be  seen  three  stone  steps  ;  they  ascend  to 
a  fine,  smooth  platform,  the  former  walk  of  the  officers 
of  the  garrison  ;  the  magazine,  also,  was  in  this  elevation. 


VIEW   OF   THE  MOUTH   OF  PANUCO   RIVER.  401 

Over  the  broken  wall  in  front,  you  observe  a  hill  covered 
with  bushes  : — that  hill  is  the  final  resting-place  of  many 
soldiers  of  our  own,  and  of  the  other  regiments  of  our  brig- 
ade. Tne  graves  are  on  that  part  of  it  seen  beyond  the  cor- 
ner of  the  house. — From  the  front  of  the  picture  round  to  the 
right,  you  perceive  the  smooth  plain  spread  out,  not  so  wide 
as  above ; — on  it,  in  the  distance,  is  the  wagon  train  of  the 
brigade  ; — beyond  this,  is  the  river — a  schooner  is  going  out, 
and  a  steamer  is  towing  up  a  brig.  Down  the  river,  you  see 
another  small  schooner,  g6ing  out ; — beyond  her,  you  per- 
ceive the  mouth,  the  old  forts,  and  the  pilot  houses  ; — these 
are  about  four  miles  distant.  You  observe  two  large  ships 
lying  off;  several  more  are  out  there,  but  not  in  view: — 
they  draw  too  much  water  to  come  over  the  bar. — Still  be- 
yond them,  are  the  waters  of  the  Gulf. — On  the  right,  are 
the  hills  of  green  before  mentioned,  though,  in  many  places, 
plains  strike  off  from  them  ;  but  these  cannot  be  perceived 
in  the  view. 

Having  observed  this  scenery  towards  the  mouth  of 
the  river,  turn  again  to  the  view  of  the  city  on  the  other 
hand.  You  perceive  the  large  flag  in  the  lower  part  of  it, 
before  spoken  of  as  being  over  the  plaza  de  Comercio  ;  and  as 
that  is  the  most  busy  part  of  Tampico,  we  will  commence 
the  description  of  the  city  there  :  imagining  yourself  at  the 
foot  of  that  tall  flag-staff. 

You  are  in  the  centre  of  the  large  square. — The  flag- 
staff is  placed  in  a  circular  pedestal,  quite  large,  being  near 
twenty  feet  in  diameter  at  the  top,  and  of  six  steps,  (be- 
tween four  and  five  feet),  in  height;  all  of  stone,  and 
beautifully  finished.  It  is  said  here,  that  this  was  intend- 
ed for  the  base  of  a  statue  of  Santa  Anna;  but  our  forces 
have  applied  it  to  the  use  of  furnishing  a  firm  founda 
tion  for  the  large  staff  supporting  the  flag  of  the  United 
States.  The  steps,  which  run  all  the  way  round,  are  excel 
lent  seats ; — ascend  two  or  three,  and  let  us  seat  ourselves, 
and  look  upon  the  lively  scene  before  and  around  us  : — The 
square  is  finely  paved  with  small  flat  stones,  with  radii  or 
diverging  lines  (made  by  these  set  on  edge)  running  from 
this  circular  elevation  to  every  part  of  it.  It  is  separa- 
26 


402  SIGNS  OVER  THE  STORES. 

ted  from  the  width  of  the  streets  that  join  it,  by  a  row  of 
handsome,  tall,  cemented,  square  stone  pillars. — On  the  back 
and  two  sides,  you  see  the  crowd  continually  passing  to  and 
fro,  with  many  wagons,  many  burros,  and  more  pack  mules. 
The  buildings  around  the  square,  you  see,  are  of  two  lofty 
stones,  with  handsome  fronts ; — stores  are  in  all  the  lower 
stories. 

The  stores  around,  you  will  notice,  have  odd  signs  over  their 
doors. — One  has  a  large  sun  over  it,  with  the  inscription  "Ti- 
ENDA  DEL  SOL,"  (the  store  of  the  sun) ;  another,  with  a  crescent, 
and  "  LA  LUNA,"  (the  moon) ;  another  has  a  comet  painted  out, 
with  "  EL  COMETA;  "  another  a  white  horse,  with  "  EL  CABAL- 
LO  BLANCO;"  another  a  palm  tree,  with  the  same  inscription, 
"  LA  PALMA  ;  "  and  so  on,  according  to  the  taste  of  the  owner. 
— Almost  every  one  has  such  a  representation. — These  signs 
are  so  placed  for  the  convenience  of  peones,  criados,  (house 
servants),  and  others  who  cannot  read. — If  you  step  over  into 
one,  you  will  notice  a  great  variety  of  articles,  and  in  very 
many  of  them  a  bar  with  wines  to  sell ;  for,  by  the  general's 
orders,  they  can  sell  nothing  stronger; — but  ask  for  some 
"  strong  wine ;"  the  Mexican  will  understand  you,  and  with 
much  politeness  hand  you  out  a  glass  of  the  strongest  sort  of 
brandy ;  but  ask  him  if  he  has  any  brandy,  he  shakes  his 
head  and  his  fore  finger  before  his  face  : — "  No  }tai,  Senor  ; 
1  brandy '  no  se  vende"  (has  got  no  brandy  to  sell) ;  though  he 
has  just  handed  you  a  glass,  and  will  hand  you  another  if 
you  ask  for  "  strong  wine."* 

MEXICAX    J.IQ.PORS. 

*  In  Tampico  were  plenty  of  French  and  Spanish  wines,  brandies,  and  cordials  for 
sale,  beside  their  own  Mexican  liquors,  of  which  there  were  one  or  two  distilleries,  fit- 
ted like  our  own,  in  the  city.  The  principal  Mexican  liquor,  as  has  been  said  before, 
that  is  used  over  the  whole  republic,  is  pulque.  When  a  maguey  plant,  (seen  qp 
plate  page  378),  is  coming  to  maturity, — i.  e.  preparing  to  blossom, — which  it  does 
but  once,  and  which  takes  place  at  from  sixty  to  even  a  hundred  years  of  age,  accord- 
ing to  the  soil  and  elevation, — a  large  excavation  is  made  in  the  side  of  the  stem,  to 
the  hollow  within,  the  bottom  of  which  is  like  an  acorn  cup. — The  juice  of  the  plant, 
that  would  have  fed  the  tall  blossoms,  distills  from  the  wounded  leaves  into  this  cup, 
and  is  dipped  out  twice  a  day  ; — a  good  plant  yielding,  daily,  from  three  to  four  gal- 
lons. It  is  of  a  sweet  taste  when  taken  out ;  requires  no  preparation,  but  is  set  aside. 
— The  second  day  it  is  partly  fermented,  and  is  somewhat  like  metheglin  in  taste  ; — 
the  third  day,  the  fermentation  is  complete,  and  it  then  U  about  as  strong  as  hard  cider ; 


PUROS   AND   CIGARROS.  403 

In  these  stores,  they  have  a  much  better  idea  of  exposing 
their  goods  to  the  best  advantage  for  appearance,  than  our 
merchants  have,  with  equal  stocks  on  hand.  One  little  thing 
you  will  notice :  no  store  is  without  its  brascro,  or  pan  for 
coals,  on  the  counter,  at  which  to  light  the  cigars,  which 
these  Mexicans  are  ever  smoking. — There  are  little  ones  of 
cut  tobacco,  wrapped  in  paper,  and  sold  in  bunches  of  forty- 
eight  each.  These  cigars  are  not  larger  than  a  tenpenny 
nail,  and  smoke  but  a  few  moments  ; — they  are  called  cigar- 
ros.  A  larger  kind  are  all  of  tobacco,  somewhat  like  ours  ; 
— they  are  called  puros,  and  are  sold  in  bunches  of  eight  or 

MEXICAX    LI  or OHS. 

has  a  peculiar  smell,  something  like  tainted  meat,  and  is  drank  in  great  quantities  by 
the  Mexicans,  and  sold  in  the  market  places  and  shops  of  the  towns ; — often  colored, 
to  make  it  attractive  to  the  eye. — (At  Vera  Cruz,  the  pulque  sellers  colored  it  of  many 
tints).  The  soldiers,  generally,  did  not  like  it ;  though  they  would  have  drank  it,  had 
it  been  stronger;  but  it  was  not  sufficiently  so  for  them  to  overcome  their  repugnance 
to  the  odor  of  it. 

From  this  pulque  a  strong  liquor  is  distilled,  called,  in  this  section,  aguardiente, 
though  this  term  signifies  all  strong  liquors,  meaning,  literally,  "  strong  water,"  equiv- 
alent to  the  Indian's  "  fire  water.'' — Muscat,  a  very  strong,  peculiar  liquor,  which  has 
been  several  times  mentioned,  is  made  of  the  wild  maguey,  which  is  not  so  large  as  the 
other. — The  plant  is  crushed,  and,  when  fermented,  the  whole  is  distilled.  The  method 
of  distillation  in  the  interior  of  Mexico  is  rude. — A  row  of  copper  kettles  is  set,  usually 
within  the  adobe  walls  of  the  house ;  beneath  the  kettle,  and  opening  on  the  outside 
of  the  wall,  are  the  arches  for  the  fires.  Each  kettle  has  a  double  or  hollow  head,  for 
the  steam  to  ascend  into  it,  through  a  hole  in  the  bottom,  the  edges  of  which  are  raised. 
There  is  no  still  worm  for  condensation,  but  a  stream  of  water  is  brought  along  in  a 
trough  above,  and  a  spout  of  it,  dashing  down  on  the  copper  head  of  each  kettle,  cools 
and  condenses  the  steam  within,  and  the  liquor  so  obtained,  being  prevented  from  run- 
ning back  into  the  kettle  by  the  raised  edge  of  the  hole  within,  issues  from  a  little  stop- 
cock in  the  side,  into  the  receiving  vessel. — So  much  for  a  Mexican  distillery  in  the 
interior. 

In  some  parts  of  the  republic,  especially  about  the  city  of  Parras,in  the  interior,  west 
from  Monterey,  (see  map),  the  grape  is  extensively  cultivated,  and  large  quantities  of 
good  wine  and  brandy  are  made,  and  much  used  by  the  Mexicans,  as  are  the  foreign 
liquors  spoken  of;  but  still,  the  principal  drinks  come  from  the  maguey, pulque,  and 
muscal. 

After  being  tapped,  that  plant  continues  to  yield  the  quantity  mentioned,  each 
day  for  about  four  months,  although  there  may  not  be  a  drop  of  rain  during  (hat 
time ; — it  then  dies  in  the  centre ;  but  as  it  decays  toward  the  outside,  many  little  ones 
spring  out  at  the  roots  of  the  enormous  leaves. — These  are  set  out,  and  grow  freely. 
They  are  sometimes  arranged  as  a  fence,  and  neither  horse  nor  ox  dare  attempt  to  pass 
them. — He  who  sets  out  maguey  plants,  does  it  for  the  next  generation,  for  the  chances 
that  ever  he  will  see  it  yield,  are  a  hundred  to  one  against  him. 


404  POLITENESS  OF  MEXICANS. 

sixteen. — The  tobacco  of  the  country  is  of  a  superior  quality 
for  smoking,  and  the  puros  are  often  equal  to  our  highest 
priced  Havana  cigars. 

Observe  these  two  Mexicans,  meeting  on  the  square ;  they 
are  strangers  to  each  other ;  one  is  smoking ;  is  stopped  by 
the  other,  who,  in  the  most  polite  manner,  touching  his  som- 
brero, asks  for  a  light;  this  is  answered  by  the  first,  with  a 
grace  that  would  do  honor  to  a  Frenchman,  by  handing  him 
his  cigarro,  at  which  he  lights  "his,  then  returns  it  with  a 
bow,  while  the  former  receives  it,  stepping  back  with  another 
bow,  and  touching  his  sombrero  also,  as  if  expressing  his 
sense  of  obligation,  that  his  cigar  should  be  returned  to  him; 
and  the  expression  of  mucfias  gracias,  Seftor,  is  given,  as  they 
separate. — That  is  a  fair  sample  of  their  politeness  and  easy 
ceremony,  even  among  the  lowest  class,  upon  all  occasions. 
(If  the  parties  are  of  unequal  rank,  the  inferior  takes  off  his 
hat,  and  holds  it  in  his  hand,  while  the  other  is  lighting). — 
They  are  faithless  and  treacherous, — will  rob,  steal,  and  even 
murder,  upon  every  favorable  occasion ;  but  still,  in  all  their 
intercourse  with  you,  and  with  one  another,  they  are  exceed- 
ingly polite  and  accommodating. — Enter  one  of  their  houses, 
and  everything  they  have,  seems  to  be  at  your  disposal ;  and 
they  often  disoblige  themselves,  to  accommodate  you.  They 
will  give  you  freely,  any  information  in  their  power ;  and  seem 
to  take  a  pleasure  in  so  doing. — Singular  traits  of  character 
to  be  united  in  the  same  persons ;  but  so  they  are. 

Those  Mexicans  have  gone  across  the  square ;  let  us  con- 
tinue our  observations.  In  front,  towards  the  river,  and 
obstructing  part  of  the  view  of  that,  from  the  flag-staff, 
you  see  a  long,  one  story  building,  with  a  piazza  roof, 
standing  out,  under  which  are  some  pieces  of  cannon  and 
several  men  crowded  around  the  windows. — Upon  looking 
closely,  you  observe  they  are  bringing  tortillas  from  the  mar- 
ket-place near,  bread  from  the  bakeries,  and  other  provi- 
sions, and  handing  them  in  through  the  gates,  to  those  inside. 
This  building  is  the  guard-house.  The  men  there,  have 
been  placed  in  for  various  reasons  :  some  have  been  fight- 
ing, getting  intoxicated,  &c. ;  some  have  refused  to  do  extra 
duty,  imposed  upon  them  for  being  absent  from  roll-calls  or 


VEGETABLE  MARKETS.  405 

•drills,  and  have  been  marched  up  here ;  some  have  thought 
themselves  ill-used,  by  their  company  officers,  and  have  told 
them  so,  and  being  cursed  in  reply,  have  returned  oath  for 
oath,  with  good  interest,  and  have  been  confined  here  for 
insolence,  and  insubordination.  Some  have  thoughtlessly 
strolled  off  from  camp  between  the  intervals  of  duty,  with- 
out a  permit  in  writing,  and  have  been  placed  in  here,  by 
some  sergeant  of  the  guard,  who  has  met  them  in  the  town, 
&c.,  &c. 

Let  us  now  leave  the  observation  of  the  guard  house,  and 
the  men  there  confined,  and  from  the  flag-staff  walk  a  few 
steps  to  the  upper  portion  of  the  square,  on  the  river,  to  the 
right. — Here  is  a  jabbering,  busy  scene  ;  all  over  the  pave- 
ment, far  and  near,  crowded  upon  each  other,  are  numbers 
of  Mexicans ;  men,  women,  boys,  and  girls ;  each  one  with 
a  small  square  mat  of  palm-leaf,  or  rushes,  spread  out,  on 
which  they  are  seated,  cross-legged ;  before  each  one,  is  some- 
thing to  sell,  mostly  eatables. — One  has  before  her  a  number 
of  little  piles  of  sweet  potatoes,  cooked;  each  pile  to  sell  for 
un  reed;  another  has  a  pile  of  mies  (pron.  mice),  corn,  on  his 
mat,  and  is  on  his  knees,  with  his  little  square  measure  of 
media  almud,  to  sell  it  full,  for  dos  reales  (twenty-five  cents) ; 
another  has  upon  his  mat  a  large  pile  of  red  peppers  (chili), 
without  which,  these  Mexicans  could  not  live.  Another  has 
a  pile  of  onions  (cebollas)  and  garlic  (ajo) ;  while  another  has 
several  baskets  of  the  finest  oranges  (naranjas),  five  for  a 
media  (six  and  a  quarter  cents)  ;  another  has  many  pine-ap- 
ples, from  un  real,  un  media,  to  dos  reales  each.  Another,  has 
nothing  on  her  mat  but  a  large  heap  of  frijoles  (beans),  but 
she  gets  many  customers  ;  another  has  several  cabbages  (re- 
polios),  and  she  is  busy  in  calling  the  attention  of  all  to  them. 
— Another  has  a  large  heap  of  bananas,  at  a  media  for  a 
bunch  of  about  a  dozen,  each  the  size  of  a  common  cucum- 
ber. 

Here  was  a  row  of  a  dozen  little  girls,  all  with  their  re- 
bosos  drawn  over  their  heads,  seated  on  their  mats,  with,  be- 
fore them,  large  piles  of  pan  a  dulce,  or  sweet  bread,  in  fancy 
forms,  looking  nice  and  clean ;  while  opposite  them,  are 
several  old  women,  ugly  as  sin,  each  with  a  large  earthen 


406  SCENE  AT  VEGETABLE  MARKET. 

pot,  over  a  charcoal  fire  ;  the  steam  comes  from  the  vessels, 
in  which  are  stowed,  layer  upon  layer,  little  parcels  of  a 
composition  made  of  chopped  pork,  mashed  corn,  and  red 
peppers,  called  tomcdes.  Each  one  is  wrapped  in  a  piece  of 
plantain  leaf,  and  is  not,  in  size,  two  mouthfuls  ;  many  stop 

to  buy,  and  eat  these  little  morsels,  hot  with  steam  and 

» 
pepper. 

Near  these  are  several  rough-looking  rancheros,  with  large 
rabbits,  peccaries,  a  species  of  hog,  of  an  iron-gray  color, 
with  stiff,  sharp,  bristles,  and  very  lean,  called  by  them  cochino 
del  monte,  or  hog  of  the  woods.  They  have,  too,  many  rac- 
coons, rather  different  from  ours,  partridges,  squirrels,  and 
any  number  of  ducks. — Another  is  beyond,  whose  whole 
stock  consists  of  a  few  dozen  huevos,  or  eggs. — Some  have 
little  chocolate  cakes  and  balls,  of  a  superior  quality ;  while 
others  have  chocolate  and  coffee  ready  to  drink. — Here  is  a 
ranchero  who  has  made  up  a  number  of  sombreros,  from 
palm-leaf,  now  offering  them  for  sale ;  while  another  has 
some  lariats,  or  hair  ropes,  for  horses. — The  whole  pavement, 
from  the  square  down  to  the  water's  edge,  is  covered  with 
these  mats,  with  various  articles  ;  while,  through  the  whole, 
a  crowd  of  Mexicans  are  stepping  round,  and  many  Ameri- 
can soldiers,  attracted  by  the  continual  bustle  and  jabber  over 
the  whole  ground;  such  a  noise  is  there,  that  one  could 
hardly  hear  himself  speak. 

From  the  square,  you  see  down  the  paved  slope  to  the  wa- 
ter's edge,  where  are  many  large  boats  at  the  shore,  with  their 
bows  on,  and  crowded  against  one  another.  Near  them,  di- 
rectly in  front,  is  the  short  wharf,  at  which  lies  a  steamer 
and  another  vessel ;  while  out  in  the  stream  lay  many  brigs, 
schooners  and  steamers,  while  boats  are  continually  going 
and  returning  from  these  to  the  wharf,  bringing  their  cargoes 
of  grain,  provisions,  ammunition,  wagons,  &c.  Many  enor- 
mous piles  of  all  these,  save  the  ammunition,  (which  is  im- 
mediately taken  away),  are  on  the  pavement  at  the  head  of 
the  wharf,  the  cartmen  and  wagoners  taking  these  away,  and 

*  In  other  cities  these  tamales  are  wrapped  in  corn-shucks.  They  are  much  prized 
by  the  population,  and  are  eaten  when  quite  hot.  All  who  have  heard  the  venders, 
•will  remember  their  continual  cry  of  tomales  calientes.'  (hot  tomales). 


LANCHAS,  OR  LONG  CANOES.  407 

the  sailors  and  laborers  landing  them,  make  much  noise  ;  but 
it  is  but  little  to  that  made  by  the  Mexican  boatmen  in  their 
long  canoes,  to  the  right  of  the  wharf,  for  some  distance  up 
and  down  the  river. 

Let  us  pass  down  to  them,  carefully  stepping  about  amid 
the  mats  of  vegetables,  &c.,  in  our  way,  and  finding  some 
difficulty  in  getting  through  the  busy  crowd  among  them. — 
As  we  come  near  the  boats,  a  dozen  of  the  boatmen,  think- 
ing that  we  wish  one,  to  take  a  sail  for  pleasure,  are 
around  us,  each  one  jabbering  as  fast  as  he  can  speak  about 
the  beauty  and  speed  of  his  boat,  while  pointing  to  it ; 
another  jabbers  as  fast,  and  says  that  the  boat  of  the  first  is 
mui  malo,  (very  poor),  and  his  is  mucJio  bueno,  (very  good) ; — 
they  get  hold  of  you,  and  each  one,  by  every  means,  endeav- 
ors to  induce  you  to  employ  him. — But,  refusing  them,  let 
us  look  at  their  boats  : — These  are  quite  long, — some  thirty 
feet  or  more  ;  are  dug  out  of  a  solid  trunk  of  a  tree ; — 
some  are  mahogany,  but  the  most  are  of  a  species  of  cedar, 
that  grows  abundantly  in  the  borders  of  the  large  lakes  which 
join  this  river ;  and  for  such  an  extent  of  country  around 
does  this  canoe  navigation  extend,  that  there  are  great  num- 
bers of  them  made. — Almost  everyone  has  a  short  mast  and 
low  sail,  that,  in  a  light  breeze,  skims  them  swiftly  over  the 
water. 

Some  of  these  here  collected  are  passenger  boats,  and  are 
waiting  for  hire  ;  but  the  most  have  come  from  up  the  Pan- 
uco  river,  or  from  far  up  the  Carpentero  lake,  beyond  Alta- 
mira,  or  from  the  large  lake  called  Zapote,  on  the  other  side 
of  the  river,  with  vegetables  and  fruits  of  all  descriptions, 
which  grow  in  the  torrid  zones,  to  sell. — Some  of  them  are 
entirely  loaded  with  oranges ; — lemons  are  of  too  little  value 
to  bring  in. — You  may  go  out  here  in  the  country  a  few 
miles,  and  off  from  the  road,  pick  up  any  quantity  of  them 
under  the  trees.  Before  this,  we  had  got  plenty  of  them. 

Other  canoes  are  loaded  with  bundles  of  green  twigs,  and 
leaves  from  the  ohalita,  or  fodder  tree,  which  are  sold  here  in 
great  quantities,  to  feed  horses  with. — It  appears  singular 
that  horses  should  be  fed  on  such  fodder  as  the  green  leaves  of 
a  large  tree,  but  they  eat  it  with  avidity ;  though  we  have 


408  HUGE  SEA  TURTLES. 

never  seen  this  fodder  used  any  where  else  in  Mexico,  save 
here. — There  are  several  of  these  boats  thus  loaded,  and 
many  are  buying  their  bundles  of  fodder. 

Let  us  walk  up  further. — Here  are  four  boats  that  have 
just  come  up  from  the  mouth  of  the  river  with  tortugas,  tur- 
tles, and  pcscado,  fish.  Look  at  these  turtles  : — There  is  one 
that  will  not  weigh  less  than  seven  or  eight  hundred  pounds, 
and  several  others  that  will  weigh  from  four  to  six  hundred. 
They  are  of  enormous  size,  and  there  are  plenty  of  them  on 
this  coast. — See  that  little  Frenchman  looking  at  one  of  the 
smaller  ones,  and  hear  how  the  Mexican  fisherman  praises 
it,  and  how  many  gestures  are  used  on  both  sides  during  the 
trade.  The  Frenchman  keeps  an  eating  house  a  little  back 
of  the  square,  and  wants  to  furnish  his  customers. — The 
whole  scene  of  these  noisy  boatmen,  joined  with  that  men- 
tioned by  the  others,  is  interesting,  and  time  runs  rapidly 
on  while  walking  round  among  them. 

Let  us  return  to  our  position  at  the  flag-staff. — By  refer- 
ring to  the  picture,  as  taken  from  fort  Andonega,  you  per- 
ceive that  the  city  rises  back  from  this  flag-  staff,  to  the  outer 
skirt  on  the  interior,  at  the  military  hospital  there  seen. — 
Let  us  go  back  in  this  direction. — In  the  first  place,  by  a  con- 
siderable ascent,  we  go  up  a  pretty  street,  in  a  parallel  di- 
rection with  the  river,  and  one  square  back  from  it.  This 
street,  like  all  the  rest,  is  well  paved,  and  has  sidewalks 
of  flag  stones. — No  stores  are  in  it;  but  on  either  hand 
are  dwelling  houses,  with  their  stone  walls  joining  each 
other  along; — where  apart,  they  are  connected  by  a  high 
garden  wall.  These  buildings  are  well  made  and  lofty, 
but  have  a  bare,  somewhat  gloomy  appearance,  from  their 
fortress-like  manner  of  construction,  with  a  heavy  door 
opening  inward  to  the  interior  court,  and  but  few  windows  ; 
these  are  projecting  and  iron  barred,  so  as  to  give  the  la- 
dies (for  there  are  many  females  in  Tampico  deserving  that 
appellation)  a  chance  to  look  out  up  and  down  the  street. — 
You  will  observe  that  the  gutter  is  in  the  middle  of  the 
street,  and  that  both  sides  slope  down  to  it,  instead  of  our 
custom  of  having  one  on  either  side. 

As  you  pass  these  buildings,  you  will  hear  the  sound  of 


STYLE  OF   BUILDING   IN   BEST   HOUSES.  409 

several  pianos  in  the  houses,  and  see  at  the  windows  many 
quite  pretty  women,  though  a  little  dark  in  complexion  ;  but 
that,  with  their  black  hair  and  eyes,  only  heightens  their 
beauty. 

Proceeding  up  this  street  two  squares,  you  come  on  the 
left,  or  towards  the  river,  to  the  house  occupied  by  Gen.  Pat- 
terson, as  the  military  head-quarters. — A  large  flag  is  sus- 
pended over  the  door  above,  by  a  cord,  which  crosses  the 
street  to  the  large  building  opposite. — These  two  buildings 
are  the  corners  of  the  next  cross  street,  that  runs  directly 
from  the  river  bank,  here  high  and  bluff,  back  down  to  the 
principal  plaza,  and  then  on  directly  through  the  city,  com- 
ing out  near  the  lake  seen  in  the  view. 

As  this  house,  occupied  by  Gen.  Patterson,  was  one  of  the 
best  style  here  built,  we  will  enter  it,  and  observe  its  con- 
struction.— You  perceive  that  there  are  windows  on  either 
side  of  the  arched  doorway ; — these  are  of  large  panes  of 
glass,  but  have  the  usual  iron  bars  without ; — the  doors  are 
stout  and  ornamented.  Above  the  door  and  each  window, 
the  large  space  of  the  arch  is  filled  with  panes  of  glass,  each 
in  segments  of  the  half  circle,  of  which  these  form  a  part. 
These  panes  are  of  colored  glass  ; — one  is  red,  another  green, 
another  orange,  another  blue,  another  yellow,  and  so  on 
round  the  half  circle  ; — the  mellow  light  from  these  gives  a 
beautiful  tinge  to  the  objects  within. 

We  enter  into  the  first  large  room  ; — the  floor  is  of  square 
marble  slabs,  each  about  eighteen  inches  wide ; — one  is 
black,  the  succeeding  one  white,  like  the  squares  on  a  che- 
quer board  ; — in  the  centre  is  a  large  black  marble  star. — 
Heavy  ornamental  pillars  support  the  ceiling  above,  which 
is  lofty,  and  adorned  with  rich  stucco  work  ; — the  walls  have, 
round  the  tops,  the  same. — They  are  not  papered,  but  white 
and  smooth. — The  smaller  room,  on  the  right,  is  finished  in 
the  same  manner. 

The  larger  room,  in  the  rear,  is  also  finished  in  the  costly 
style  of  the  first,  with  as  large  a  door,  opening  out  into  the 
spacious  court,  at  the  further  side  of  which,  are  the  stone  sta- 
bles, which  these  people  in  the  cities  always  have  near  their 
houses,  and  sometimes,  (as  at  Vera  Cruz),  in  the  lower  story, 


410  APPEARANCE  OF  STREETS. 

where  they  reside  above. — The  whole  building,  costly  and 
splendid  in  appearance,  has  a  cool,  but  to  us,  accustomed  to 
our  kind  of  houses,  a  cheerless,  bare,  appearance. — This 
house  is  owned  by  the  former  collector  of  the  customs  at 
this  place,  who  now  has  lost  his  situation  and  his  profits, 
since  our  forces  have  taken  possession  of  the  city,  and  a  new 
and  much  lower  rate  of  duties  is  levied  upon  goods. 

Leaving  this  house,  and  turning  to  the  right,  we  will  fol- 
low down  the  cross  street  before  mentioned,  towards  the 
principal  plaza.  The  first  object  that  you  will  perceive,  is 
a  number  of  Mexicans  at  work  repairing  the  pavements,  un- 
der the  direction  of  an  overseer,  or  alcaide.*  As  they  seem 
to  labor  in  a  constrained  manner,  you  will  see,  as  we  come 
nearer,  that  some  of  them  are  confined  by  a  chain. — They 
are  the  criminals  condemned  by  the  alcaldes  to  labor  on  the 
streets,  for  petty  crimes.  You  will  perceive  that  the  alcaide 
has  a  sword,  and  several  rods  with  it. 

Here,  as  in  other  cities,  that  we  have  taken,  tne  course  of 
justice  with  the  population  continues  undisturbed.  The  guard 
of  our  soldiery  overlooks  the  whole,  and  keeps  order  among 
the  Americans.  Our  government,  of  course,  is  only  military, 
though,  as  will  be  mentioned,  shortly  after  this  time,  our 
commanding  officers  took  part  of  the  civil  authority,  and 
endeavored  to  show  these  people  something  of  the  manner 
of  trial  by  jury  ;  a  thing  wholly  unknown  in  their  laws. 

Along  this  street,  we  see  the  same  continuous  course  of 
mingled  population  on  the  side-walks.  Here  knots  of  Mex- 
ican peones,  in  their  uncouth  dress;  there,  gentlemen,  in  that 
more  dashy ;  beyond,  American  soldiers,  continually  passing, 
or  stopping  to  converse;  officers,  in  couples,  or  threes.  In 
the  body  of  the  street,  is  a  long  atajo  of  mules,  just  come  in 
from  the  country ;  observe  each  patient  animal,  heavily 
packed,  as  he  follows  steadily  along,  after  his  predecessor. 
— Let  us  pass  along,  glancing  in  at  the  numerous  stores ; 
not  so  large  on  this  street,  as  on  the  Plaza  de  Comercio ;  still 
you  see  the  lofty  shelves,  covered  with  goods,  earthen-ware, 
crockery,  and  every  article  that  elsewhere  you  can  purchase. 

*  The  alcaide  is  an  inferior  officer  of  police,  who  has  charge  of  the  prison  in  every 
town,  particularly  responsible  to  the  ayuntamicnto  of  the  town. 


SENORITA  OF   THE  HIGHER  CLASS.  411 

You  see  many  women  buying.  Observe  that  one  drawing 
her  reboso  more  closely  over  her  head,  as  she  steps  out; 
notice  her  walk,  she  seems  to  step  so  lightly,  still  with  such 
ease  and  dignity,  or,  as  some  call  it,  "  with  a  queenly  tread ;" 
— they  all  walk  so.  But  here,  up  the  side-walk,  comes  one 
in  whom  you  can  better  observe  it.  She  is  returning  from 
"mass;"  is  of  the  higher  class;  she  looks  as  "neat  as  a 
pin  ;"  her  reboso  is  fine,  and  richly  ornamented,  and  fits  to 
her  head  and  shoulders,  as  closely  as  a  cut  garment.  As  she 
comes  near,  look  at  her  fan  ;  it  is  of  the  "  open  and  shut" 
kind ;  she  carries  it  in  her  hand,  although  the  day  is  not 
warm ;  hear  with  what  a  peculiar  rattle,  she  throws  it  open 
and  closes  it.  They  have  a  variety  of  motions  with  the  fan, 
for  their  sweethearts  and  friends  :  one  to  attract  and  permit, 
another  to  repulse  and  deny,  &c.  Look  at  her  foot,  so  small 
and  well  turned ;  her  form  fine  ;  her  features  regular ;  com- 
plexion olive ;  pretty  mouth  and  white  teeth.  But  notice 
the  glances  of  her  eyes,  are  they  not  attractive  ?  They  seem 
to  show  her  whole  soul.  There  is  no  coldness  in  her  look. 
Turn,  and  look  at  her  walk,  as  she  has  passed  by  ;  is  it  not 
"  queenly,"  sure  enough  ?  But  do  not  look  at  her  too  long, 
for  you  might  have  no  relish  for  the  next  objects  to  which  the 
author  would  draw  your  attention. 

This  is  no  other  than  four  patient  burros  (jackasses), 
that  while  you  have  been  gazing  at  the  beautiful  seno- 
rita,  have  been  shaking  their  long  ears  close  to  your  el- 
bow ;  one  is  elevating  his  head  and  tuning  his  throat  for 
a  sonorous  bray ;  while  another  is  stretching  out  his  nose, 
endeavoring  to  reach  a  piece  of  orange  peel,  which  is  near 
your  feet.  They  have  each  an  open  box  on  either  side  of 
them,  which  are  connected  above  their  backs.  In  each  box 
are  two  kegs  of  ten  gallon  size,  so  that  each  burro  has  four 
of  them  on  his  back.  They  are  filled  with  water;  and  the 
industrious  owner  (aguador,  or  water-carrier),  has  been  four 
or  five  miles  up  the  river  this  morning,  with  them,  filled  each 
keg,  and  now  is  round  supplying  his  customers  with  that  ar- 
ticle so  necessary  ;  and  this  is  the  only  way  in  which  the  city 
is  furnished ;  the  water  of  the  wells  not  being  good,  and  there 


412  AGUADORES,  OR   WATER-CARRIERS. 

being  no  aqueduct.  The  furnishing  of  water  gives  employ- 
ment to  many  aguadores  ;  and  in  every  street  we  will  meet 
them,  with  their  burros.  Every  carrier  has  a  little  bell, 
with  which,  at  the  gate  of  a  mansion,  he  makes  his  arri- 
val known.*  Nor  is  this  all  that  these  burros  are  used 
for ;  they  will  carry  anything ;  and  more  tractable  and 
patient  animals  cannot  be  found ;  and  their  character  cer- 
tainly has  been  very  much  abused  among  us,  by  making  their 
name  the  very  personification  of  stupidity  and  stubbornness. 
But  here  come  some  more  of  them;  you  see  they  salute  these 
water-carriers  with  a  loud  bray,  which  polite  attention  is 
immediately  answered,  and  then  all  are  still,  and  take  no 
more  notice  of  each  other,  than  though  they  had  not  met. 

These,  just  coming,  you  observe  are  loaded  with  little  bags 
of  charcoal ;  which  is  here  used  entirely,  or  almost  so,  for 
cooking.  Little  grates,  not  more  than  four  inches  square, 
being  their  means  of  raising  a  heat  for  cooking;  that  is,  in 
these  fine  houses ;  in  the  others,  they  cook  on  the  ground. 

Hear  how  lustily  that  sooty  fellow  calls  out  car-bon,  (char- 
coal), through  the  streets. — We  have  mentioned  before 
the  coal-pits  from  whence  he  comes. — But  look  again ; 
there  is  an  odd  sight.  Do  you  see  that  ranchero  coming  up 
behind  the  coal  drivers,  leading  a  fodder  stack  ?  It  follows 
him  closely ;  it  is  tall,  bulky,  and  sweeps  the  ground,  yet 
falls  not,  and  passes  along  without  exciting  any  surprise  in 
the  patient  donkeys  around ;  but  the  horse  of  that  cavalry 
soldier  seems  about  to  break  his  neck  with  fright  at  the 
stack,  which  slowly  pursues  its  way.  Walk  round  it : — you 
observe  that  it  is  tied  together  with  a  small  rope ;  and  is 
well  shaped.  Lift  the  leaves  that  brush  the  ground,  and 
stooping,  peep  under  : — the  mystery  is  solved  ;  you  see  the 
hoofs  of  a  patient  burro  under  there.  Again  walk  round,  and 
you  cannot  see  a  trace  of  him,  head,  body,  tail,  feet,  or  ears, 
which  always  are  the  most  prominent  objects  in  this  animal. f 

*  In  Matamoras,  the  water  was  taken  up  from  the  river,  in  barrels  with  iron  hoops. 
Each  barrel,  when  full,  was  bunged  up,  and  a  pin  being  in  the  centre  of  either  head, 
with  a  hide  rope  attached  to  them ;  the  barrel  was  thus  drawn,  rolling  over  and  over, 
by  a  peon ;  no  burros  being  used  for  that  purpose ;  but  here  they  do  all  the  work. 

f  There  are,  near  every  Mexican  city,  many  persons  who  make  a  living  by  the  aid  of 


PLAZA  DE  ARMAS.  413 

Here  comes  three  more  donkeys,  loaded  with  the  green 
leaves  of  the  ohalita,  or  fodder  tree.  You  observe  the  street 
is  continually  busy  and  crowded  with  the  mixed  multitude. 
Let  us  go  on  towards  the  Plaza  de  Armas,  or  the  principal 
square. 

Upon  arriving  at  the  corner,  you  see  the  square  before 
you,  surrounded  by  good  buildings,  mostly  two  stories  ; — the 
principal  church  stands  on  the  opposite  side,  and  the  tower, 
(which,  in  the  picture,  can  be  observed),  is  furnished  with  a 
large  clock,  after  our  own  style  ;  but  it  strikes  the  hours  on 
a  heavy  bell,  and  the  quarters  on  a  lighter  one. — The  inte- 
rior of  that  church  is  not  so  rich  as  those  before  described. — 
You  observe  the  whole  area  of  the  unpaved  square  before 
you  is  taken  up  by  large  piles  of  wagon  bodies,  axles,  wheels, 
bows,  and  tongues,  and  many  men  are  engaged  in  placing 
them  together.  Nothing  here  engrosses  your  attention  muchr 
save  the  same  mixed  throng  passing  back  and  forth. 

Let  us  step  over  the  plaza  towards  the  church  : — On  the 
corner  we  see  a  building  where  already,  in  full  operation,  are 
a  company  of  American  actors,  engaged  in  carrying  on  the 
"American  Theatre ; "  and  pretty  well  they  do  also,  and  ob- 
tain each  night  crowded  houses,  and  make  much  money. — 
Back  of  this  is  a  large  building,  formerly  occupied  for  public 
instruction,  as  the  sign  over  the  principal  door  declares  ;  but 
now  it  is  used  as  a  hospital. 

Let  us  pass  the  sentinel  on  duty,  at  the  gate  at  the  end 
of  the  building,  and,  entering  the  yard,  go  round  among  the 
small  interior  buildings  occupied  by  Dr.  Wright,  and  several 
assistant  surgeons,  nurses,  guards,  and  other  attendants. — 
Upon  entering  the  main  building,  you  perceive  rows  of  neat 
bedsteads,  each  with  a  covering  of  raw  hide,  stretched  up 
and  down  either  side  of  the  long  room,  on  every  one  of 
which  is  a  sick  soldier.  Some  are  improving,  and  in  a  day 
or  two  will  be  able  to  take  the  fresh  air  in  the  pleasant 
yard,  where,  as  we  came  in,  we  might  have  observed  seve- 
ral pale  looking  men  seated  around. — Others  are  growing 

three  or  four  burros.  These  bring  loads  of  wood  on  their  backs,  or  coal,  or  sand,  or  any- 
thing that  may  be  needed,  the  burros  picking  up  their  own  scanty  living.  The  men 
are  called  burreros,  literally,  jackass  men,  referring  to  their  manner  of  business. 


414  SCENE  IN  THE  HOSPITAL. 

worse  ;  one  out  there  has  just  died  ; — see  with  what  a  look 
his  next  comrade  turns  his  weak  eyes  towards  the  corpse, 
not  knowing  but  he  may  go  next. — Another  there  is  being 
bathed  in  warm  water,  and  the  surgeon  is  applying  mustard 
plasters  to  him,  endeavoring  to  keep  up  his  circulation ;  but 
it  appears  as  though  it  was  in  vain,  for  the  life  is  nearly  out 
of  him  now. 

Observe  how  still  it  is  in  here,  although  there  are  so  many 
sick  and  so  many  attendants. — See  this  other  surgeon,  who 
goes  from  cot  to  cot,  examining,  and  giving  to  the  nurses  di- 
rections for  each. — At  the  upper  part,  the  attendants  are 
coming  down  from  one  to  another,  with  tin  cups  of  soup  and 
slices  of  fresh  bread,  to  give  to  those  who  can  eat.  Here, 
sitting  upon  the  side  of  a  bed,  you  see  a  weather  beaten 
soldier,  who,  with  the  tears  standing  in  his  eyes,  is  watching 
the  convulsive  movements  of  the  death-like  countenance  of 
his  sick  comrade  and  mess-mate,  over  whom,  perhaps,  when 
both  left  their  native  state  to  serve  their  country  in  the  field, 
he  promised  the  parents,  brothers  or  sisters  of  that  comrade, 
to  watch  and  to  assist.  Now  he  is  fulfilling  his  promise ; 
but  the  hand  of  death  is  on  the  youth. 

Let  us  turn  away  from  this  mournful  stillness,  and  out  of 
this  place  of  sickness  and  death,  and  again  emerging  into 
the  street,  find  ourselves  in  the  bustle  of  life. — We  hear  the 
music  of  a  full  band  at  the  head  of  a  detachment  of  soldiers, 
swelling  fully  out  the  inspiring  strains  of  Hail  Columbia ; 
and  the  music,  so  enlivening,  drives  away  all  melancholy 
thoughts. — Let  us  stop  at  the  corner  of  the  plaza,  and  ad- 
mire the  precision  of  military  movement  with  which  they 
pass  along. — They  are  part  of  the  Alabama  regiment. 

They  have  gone,  and  we  will  continue  ourcourse  along  up 
the  hill,  towards  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  and  the  military 
hospital,  already  noticed  in  the  picture.  In  this  part  of  the 
city  we  will  observe  that  the  buildings  become  smaller,  being 
mostly  of  but  one  story.  The  gardens  are  many,  with 
ornamental  trees  growing  in  them.  We  observe  but  few 
stores,  or  shops  of  any  kind;  for  this  part  is  occupied  princi- 
pally for  dwellings.  Here  and  there  is  a  panaderia,  or  bakery, 
which  bakes  fine  bread,  and  is,  in  every  respect,  like  our 


PANADERIA,  OR   BAKERY.  415 

establishments  of  the  baking  order,  save  that  these  not  only 
bake  for  the  living,  but  also,  occasionally,  for  the  dead. — 
They,  however,  do  not  have  much  appetite,  and  are  only  fed 
once  a  year.* 

Upon  arriving  at  the  military  hospital,  we  find  great  exer- 
tions making,  to  place  this  part  in  a  situation  to  resist  an 
attack  from  the  interior ;  wide,  deep  ditches  are  dug,  and 
heavy  embankments  thrown  up.  The  small  fort  near  the 
margin  of  tne  lake  is  nearly  finished ;  at  all  of  these  we  no- 
tice many  men  at  work. 

Having  taken  this  walk  through  the  busy  city  of  Tampico, 
we  will  return  along  its  streets,  turning  corner  after  corner, 
until  we  arrive  again  at  the  Plaza  de  Comercio,  at  the  start- 
ing point,  the  flag-staff;  thence  we  come  along  the  river, 
seeing  only  the  same  bustle,  but  meeting  with  many  more 
wagons,  employed  in  transportation  of  stores,  for  differ- 
ent brigades,  encamped  around  the  city.  Passing  the  out- 
skirts of  the  small  houses,  we  leave  the  city.  A  few  steps 
bring  us  to  the  canal,  bridge,  and  new  fort;  crossing  the 
bridge,  on  which  we  find  many  soldiers,  we  come  out  on  the 
plain ;  on  our  right,  and  far  extended  to  the  front,  lies  the 
camp  of  our  brigade,  along  the  river ;  and  at  this,  having 
spent  the  day  in  the  observation  of  the  town,  we  bid  you, 
reader,  good  night. 

*  This  refers  to  a  singular  custom,  or  remnant  of  an  old  Indian  superstition,  which 
in  nearly  all  of  Mexico,  has  been  like  other  similar  ones,  incorporated  into  their 
present  religious  belief;  and,  by  the  lower  classes,  is  scrupulously  observed. — On  All 
Saints'  Day  (first  November),  the  bakeries  not  only  issue  their  daily  amounts  of 
bread  for  the  living,  but  bake  up  a  number  of  white,  hard  loaves,  of  a  peculiar  shape, 
being  circular,  like  large  rings,  with  a  raised  top,  which  is  pinched  up  into  hundreds 
of  little  prominences ;  these  loaves  are  called  rosca  de  los  muertos,  or  rusks  or  loaves 
for  the  dead.  Singular  as  it  may  seem,  the  lower  classes  buy  these,  and  put  them  up 
in  their  houses,  for  the  sustenance  of  the  souls  of  their  deceased  friends  and  relations  ; 
and  they  will  tell  you,  in  a  serious  tone,  that  such  souls  had  ate  such  a  part  of  it  in  one 
night !  The  loaf  remains  in  the  same  spot,  until  the  souls  have  eaten  it ;  i.  e.,  the 
mice,  crickets,  and  roaches  have  consumed  it. — The  souls  are  not  fed  again  until  next 
year,  on  All  Saints'  day,  when,  if  not  forgotten,  they  get  more  loaves  ! — In  what  part 
of  the  world  can  a  more  singular  exhibition  of  the  darkest  superstition  be  found  ? — 
And  what  is  more  singular,  is,  that  such  an  idea  is  not  removed  by  the  priests ;  but, 
like  many  other  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  ancient  Mexicans,  this  too,  has  remained, 
and  presents  a  curious  instance  of  a  most  ridiculous  heathen  ceremony  incorporated 
by  the  descendants  of  those  heathens,  into  the  Christian  religion  they  profess. 


416  PARADES   AND  DRILLS. 

Saturday,  Febj-uary  6th.  Gen.  Pillow's  brigade,  as  well  as  all 
the  others,  were  now  subjected  to  severe  and  continual  drill- 
ing. Every  day,  the  plain  in  front  was  enlivened  by  large 
bodies  of  troops,  in  their  various  exercises.  The  regiments 
of  infantry  now  moved  in  solid  phalanx  over  the  plain  ;  then 
rapidly  deployed  in  long  lines,  re-formed  in  columns,  charged, 
threw  themselves  in  hollow  squares,  &c.,  &c.  The  artil- 
lery swept  by  them,  at  a  rapid  rate,  whirled  round,  the 
horses  were  detached,  cannon  aimed,  and  in  one  minute 
after  the  first  check  of  speed,  the  light  cloud  of  smoke  arose 
from  the  gun,  and  the  ball  went  crashing  through  a  large 
target,  about  a  third  of  a  mile  distant  from  them,  at  the  foot 
of  the  hill  on  which  is  the  old  fort.  Again,  in  another  mo- 
ment, the  horses  were  attached,  the  riders  up,  and  away  went 
the  piece  to  another  position,  at  full  speed,  and  as  suddenly 
whirled,  unlimbered,  aimed,  and  fired.  The  howitzers,  in  the 
same  rapid  manner,  threw  shells  into  the  old  fort  Andonega, 
which  loudly  exploded  there.  It  was  only  occasionally,  that 
either  the  artillery,  cavalry  or  infantry  fired,  in  these  drills. 
— The  evolutions,  and  practice  of  loading,  &c.,  were  gone 
through  with,  continually  ;  but  the  firing,  almost  always,  was 
imaginary ;  for  we  had  no  ammunition  to  throw  away. 

The  large  bodies  of  the  two  battalions  of  our  cavalry,  can 
be  seen,  sometimes,  coming  on,  at  a  rapid  trot,  in  solid  mass- 
es ;  then,  suddenly  wheeling,  they  open  to  the  right  and  left, 
in  detachments,  and  long  imposing  columns  ;  sometimes  they 
move  slowly,  then  again,  the  volumes  of  dust,  suddenly  ri- 
sing, as  it  were,  with  the  whirlwind,  shows  the  charge ;  the 
dust  obscures  them ;  far  ahead,  they  emerge  from  it,  rein  up, 
and  by  companies,  turn,  and  double  upon,  and  among,  each 
other,  in  a  thousand  ways  ;  yet  there  is  no  confusion,  no  mis- 
takes, by  any.  The  roll  of  drums,  the  shrill  sound  of  the  fifes, 
and  the  clear  notes  of  the  cavalry  bugles,  and  the  deeper 
music  of  the  regular  bands,  fill  the  air  with  martial  strains. 
Sometimes  these  are  silent,  then,  all  in  concert  together. 
The  varying  scene  goes  on  continually ; — the  sunny  plain 
every  day  presents  the  same  striking  martial  appearance, 
ever  varying,  but  still  the  same  : — parade  upon  parade,  drill 
upon  drill,  at  intervals,  from  sunrise  to  sunset. 


MARTIAL  APPEARANCE  OF  THE  PLAIN.  417 

Sometimes  many  small  squads,  each  under  its  officer,  are 
practicing  the  manual  of  arms,  &c.;  then  the  plain  is  cover- 
ed with  companies,  each  acting  singly;  then  again  larger 
bodies,  battalions,  are  moving  independent  of  one  another ; 
then,  in  the  afternoons,  each  regiment  is  carrying  on,  un- 
der the  command  of  its  colonel,  its  regimental  mano3uvres  ; 
then  again  the  whole  brigade  is  acting  in  concert,  under  the 
general ; — the  whole  appearance  is  such  as  can  only  be  wit- 
nessed in  the  performances  of  an  army  in  the  field.  The 
beauty,  variety,  and  precision  of  movements,  never  can  be 
seen  in  parades  and  reviews  at  home ; — they  can  only  be 
executed  by  bodies  of  soldiers  who  for  months  have  made 
it  their  business. — And  now,  while,  from  time  to  time,  we 
speak  of  the  camp  and  scenes  around  it,  the  reader  will  bear 
in  mind  this  principal  martial  view,  accompanied  by  the 
music,  continually  going  on  over  the  area  of  the  plain  be- 
fore the  camp,  save  for  a  few  intervals,  of  a  Sunday  or 
two,  and  during  the  severe  blowing  of  the  northers. — 
At  daylight,  at  seven,  A.  M.,  at  eleven,  A.  M.,  at  three,  P. 
M.,  and  at  five,  P.  M.,  the  principal  drills  and  parades  take 
place,  and,  save  at  meal  times,  the  plain  never  is  bare. — 
The  weeds,  which  grew  upon  it  on  our  arrival,  are  all  tram- 
pled down,  and  it  is  level  as  a  floor. 

February  17th.  This  was  a  most  lovely  day ;  and  the 
sun  shone  pleasantly  on  the  beautiful  river,  on  the  green  hills 
opposite,  on  the  city  in  the  distance,  on  the  carnp  and  the 
plain. — It  was  warm,  pleasant,  bright  and  still.  Before  the 
sea  breeze  rose,  not  a  breath  of  air  was  stirring ; — and  every 
sound  was  distinct.  The  flags  over  the  city,  and  those  on  the 
lofty  masts  of  the  shipping  near  it,  drooped  motionless  from 
their  staffs  ; — the  screams  and  chattering  of  the  numbers  of 
parrots,  of  brilliant  plumage,  in  the  forests  opposite  the 
camp,  came  with  distinctness  across  the  calm  surface  of  the 
water.  Upon  the  river,  here  and  there,  were  long  canoes,  the 
paddles  of  which,  now  and  then  dipped  in  the  surface,  glided 
them  quietly  on ;  \vhile  the  little  undulations  from  their 
movements  caused  the  rays  of  the  morning  sun  to  dance,  as 
it  were,  on  its  bosom. 

Below  was  a  vessel,  which,  for  the  want  of  the  slightest 
27 


418  CAMP   SCENES. 

wind,  had  let  go  her  anchor,  to  retain  her  in  the  same  pc 
sition,  while  her  white  sails  were  still  stretched  above,  court- 
ing the  renewal  of  the  breeze.     The  crew  were  leaning  over 
her  sides,  gazing  out  on  the  camp  that  was  spread  before 
them. 

The  city  and  the  camp  were  still. — In  the  former,  the  bells 
calling  the  people  to  "  mass  "  had  ceased  their  tones,  and  in 
the  latter,  the  drums,  the  fifes,  the  bugles,  and  the  instru- 
ments of  the  bands  were  all  silent :  for,  a  wonder,  Sunday 
had  been  recognized,  and  there  was  no  drill,  no  parade,  no 
movements. — The  long  line  of  succeeding  infantry  sentinels, 
that  extended  in  front  of  the  entire  brigade,  at  regular  inter- 
vals, from  the  bridge  on  the  left,  towards  the  town,  down  to 
the  bend  of  the  river,  on  the  right,  seemed  as  if  struck  with 
the  stillness  and  beauty  of  the  scene  before  and  around  them, 
and  were  motionless  also. — They  leaned  on  their  muskets, 
at  their  posts  along,  from  space  to  space. 

Now,  reader,  while  all  is  thus  reposing,  let  us  turn  our  at- 
tention to  the  tents,  and  see  at  what  the  boys  are  engaging 
themselves  ;  for,  at  all  times  when  they  are  at  leisure,  their 
occupation  and  movements  are  about  the  same,  and  a  glance 
at  this  leisure  day,  shows  for  all. 

Let  us  walk  round  in  the  cavalry  regiment. — The  horses 
are  still ;  tied  with  their  long  lariats  ; — they  seem  dozing  in 
the  pleasant  sun. — At  the  line  of  tents  nearest  to  us,  you 
observe  the  captain's  marquee,  with  a  crowd  around  it,  sit- 
ting on  the  bales  of  hay  and  bags  of  corn,  that  have  been 
sent  for  the  use  of  the  company. — They  are  engaged  in  con- 
versation with  respect  to  our  next  probable  movements. 

At  the  first  tent  in  the  line  we  will  stop  and  look  in. — We 
see  a  couple  of  the  men  sitting  down  in  the  little  space, 
amid  carbines,  swords,  pistols,  blankets,  &c.,  engaged  in  wri- 
ting letters  on  pieces  of  barrel  heads,  which  are  placed  across 
their  knees. — They  have  obtained  their  sheets  of  paper  from 
the  officers,  (to  whom,  every  quarter,  a  quantity  is  allowed 
by  the  government),  and  are  busy  ;  being  prompted  by  see- 
ing so  many  vessels  arriving  and  departing  from  the  United 
States,  and  also  by  receiving  letters  from  home.  Two  of 


APPEARANCE   WITHIN   THE  TENTS.  419 

their  mess-mates  are  on  the  sides  of  the  tent,  on  their  blan- 
kets, asleep,  and  appear  very  comfortable. 

Leaving  them,  another  step  or  two  brings  us  to  the  second 
tent. — The  flap  is  closed,  and  the  tent  is,  as  it  were,  shut 
up.  Let  us  open  it,  and  enter  : — There  is  but  one  man  with- 
in, and  he  is  mending  his  bridle  ; — the  whole  bottom  of  the 
tent  is  filled  with  baggage  and  arms. — In  comes  a  comrade, 
who,  in  a  low  voice,  asks  him  "  if  he  has  got  anything." 
He  nods.  "Hand  it  out,  then."  He  drops  his  bridle,  and 
reaching  over,  pulls  out,  from  under  the  blankets,  a  bottle 
of  brandy,  and  sells  the  other  a  dram,  for  a  bit ;  but  it  is 
done  in  a  very  quiet  manner,  for  it  is  contrary  to  the  regu- 
lations of  the  camp.* 

At  the  third  tent,  wo  find  some  of  the  boys  asleep,  and 
a  couple  cooking  behind  it ; — they  have  been  up  in  town 
and  bought  some  beef  and  vegetables,  and  having  bor- 
rowed a  camp-kettle  from  another  mess,  are  trying  their  hand 
at  making  soup,  for  a  rarity.  They  have  got  some  light 
bread  from  the  bakery,  some  pepper,  and  several  little  arti- 
cles, and  they  seem  as  much  engaged  in  making  their  soup 
as  though  it  was  to  be  of  immense  advantage  to  them. — 

*  Liquor  the  soldiers  would  have  ;  and  they  worked  many  schemes  to  be  able  to 

obtain  it At  Victoria,  where  no  spirituous  liquors,  save  muscal,  could  be  procured, 

many  of  the  soldiers  made  a  profitable  business  by  buying  it  from  the  Mexicans,  (who 
are  fearful,  on  account  of  the  prohibitory  commands  of  our  general,  to  sell  it  to  us  by 
the  small  quantity),  and  with  a  canteen  on  their  sides,  and  a  little  cup  in  their  pockets, 
were  ready,  when  one  raised  his  finger,  to  step  round  a  corner,  or  into  some  court- 
yard, and  pour  them  out  a  drink  for  a  real,  or  bit. — These  "  traveling  groceries,"  as  the 
soldiers  called  them,  could  be  met  in  any  street.  The  officers  would  pass  by  them,  as 
they  strolled  about,  never  suspecting  anything  of  the  kind.  So,  in  spite  of  all  restric- 
tions put  upon  them,  the  soldiers  would  manage  to  get  their  drams. 

And  so  it  is  here,  in  Tampico.— By  order  of  Gen.  Patterson,  severe  punishment  has 
been  inflicted  on  the  bar  keepers,  both  Americans  and  Mexicans,  in  the  town,  for  selling 
spirituous  liquors. — But  our  soldiers  buy  it  from  the  Mexicans  in  quantities,  and 
bring  it  into  camp,  and  silently  sell  it  to  their  comrades  in  their  tents. — Every  morn- 
ing you  may  see  men  walking  silently  and  carelessly  up  the  lines,  and  then  suddenly 
diving  into  a  tent; — all  is  still  there,  but  lift  the  flap,  or  the  door,  and  you  can  see  the 
vender  pouring,  from  an  old  black  bottle,  a  dram  into  a  mug ; — the  soldier  lays  his  bit 
on  the  blanket,  drinks  the  liquor,  wipes  his  mouth,  lifts  the  flap  and  goes  out,  as  if  no- 
thing had  happened The  bottle  is  put  away  again  in  the  corner  of  the  tent,  under 

the  pile  of  arms  and  loose  blankets,  and  the  vender  walks  out  too,  until  another  silent 
customer  gives  him  the  wink. — Brandy,  muscal,  aguardiente,  or  some  other  spiritu- 
ous liquors,  they  will  have. 


420  SCENES  IN  THE  TENTS. 

You  will  smile  to  see  what  value  they  set  upon  it ;  but  if 
you  had  been  through  the  hard  times  that  they  have,  and 
were  in  their  position  now,  a  dish  of  hot  soup  would  appear 
to  you  to  be  indeed  a  luxury. — There  are  two  more  of  the 
men  there  who  do  not  belong  to  that  mess,  and  with  each 
one  of  these  they  have  struck  a  trade  : — One  is  to  get  them 
an  arm-full  of  wood,  for  which  he  will  have  to  go  at  least  a 
mile,  and  bring  it  on  his  shoulder  ; — the  other  is  to  go  to  the 
cistern  at  the  canal,  a  half  a  mile,  and  bring  back  a  bucket 
of  water  for  them :  for  these  services,  they  are  to  get  a  cup 
of  soup  a-piece  ;  and  both  think  they  have  made  good  trades, 
and  start  immediately  to  perform  them. 

At  the  next  tent,  crowded  at  its  door  with  bags  of  oata, 
are,  within,  several  seated  on  a  blanket,  playing  "old  sledge," 
while  another  has  got  a  novel,  which  has  been  read  about 
the  camp  until  it  is  hardly  readable,  and  is  passing  away  the 
time  in  deciphering  it. 

At  another  tent,  the  fire  is  kindled,  and  a  chap  is  pound- 
ing coffee  with  the  muzzle  of  his  carbine,  and  is  quarreling 
all  the  time  with  his  mess-mates  about  the  cooking,  declar- 
ing that  it  is  not  his  day  in  turn,  &c.,  and  swearing  that 
hereafter  he  will  cook  for  himself  alone,  &c.,  &c.  In  this 
tent  are  the  mess-mates,  some  of  them  asleep,  others  endeav- 
oring to  mend  up  their  uniforms  and  other  clothing,  and 
keeping  up  the  dispute  with  the  one  who  is  cooking. 

In  the  next,  you  see  a  water  bucket,  with  a  full  supply  of 
water,  and  a  pan  of  fried  pork,  and  hard  bread,  to  which  the 
boys  of  the  mess  are  about  to  apply  themselves  for  a  dinner. 

In  the  succeeding  tent,  a  general  cleaning  of  arms  is  going 
on ;  for  one  of  the  mess  has  been  lucky  enough  to  get  hold 
of  a  little  sweet  oil,  and  all  of  them  are  availing  themselves 
of  the  opportunity  ;  and  with  much  conversation,  and  many 
tales  to  one  another,  they  appear  to  pass  the  time  very  pleas- 
antly. 

In  the  next  one  are  many  collected,  to  hear  a  man  who  is 
telling  amusing  tales,  and  many  a  loud  laugh  comes  from 
there. — After  he  is  done,  another  sings  a  song  in  high  glee. 
Let  us  peep  in  : — They  have  got  several  bottles  of  brandy 
cherries,  and  they  insist  upon  our  taking  some  of  them. — 


SCKNES   IN  THE  TENTS.  421 

(These  are  procured  from  the  sutler,  who,  as  he  is  not  al- 
lowed to  sell  spirits,  thus  evades  the  restriction,  and  his 
brandy  cherries  go  off  like  hot  cakes). 

We  will  go  on. — At  the  next,  we  see  more  writing  letters, 
sewing,  &c.,  and  several  at  a  game  of  euchre. — At  the  next, 
we  find  all  engaged  in  a  general  dressing  and  cleaning  up, 
having  had  their  clothing  returned  from  the  Mexican  wash- 
erwomen, who  have  made  it  look  new. — They  are  evidently 
much  pleased  with  their  change  in  appearance. — In  front 
of  this  tent,  as  well  as  of  several  others  that  we  have 
passed,  down  the  line,  you  observe  many  of  the  men  spend- 
ing much  time  and  pains  in  rubbing  and  currying  their 
horses  ;  and  in  the  meanwhile  they  are  talking  to  them,  and 
patting  them,  and  so  accustomed  have  the  horses  become 
each  to  his  rider,  during  the  long  march,  that  he  knows  him 
as  far  as  he  can  see  him,  and  will  express  it  by  neighing,  and 
if  loose,  will  come  up  to  him.  A  horse  could  not  be  driven 
from  near  the  camp,  and  it  takes  them  but  one  feed  to  learn 
them  their  particular  place ;  and,  if  turned  loose,  they  will 
each  come  to  it  at  night. — These  men  are  devoting  their 
leisure  time  to  the  attention  required  by  their  horses,  and 
they  could  spend  it  in  no  better  way. 

Let  us  look  for  a  moment  upon  this  group  in  the  next  and 
last  tent,  busily  employed  at  a  game  of  poker.  The  tent  is 
not  much  larger  in  area  than  that  which  is  covered  by  a 
double  bedstead,  about  eight  feet  by  ten.  In  this  little 
place,  covered  with  blankets  on  the  bottom,  are  now  nine 
persons. — At  the  back  is  a  pile  of  carbines,  cartridge-boxes, 
swords,  holster  pistols,  &c.; — on  the  side  are  two  of  the 
mess-mates,  stretched  out  and  wrapped  in  their  blankets, 
trying  to  sleep ;  but  they  can  scarcely  do  it :  for,  crowded 
upon  them,  set  the  chaps  at  poker. — A  green  blanket  serves 
them  for  a  table. — There  are  five  at  play,  and  everyone  busy. 
— Grains  of  coffee,  called  checks,  ranking  as  picayunes  each, 
are  on  the  blanket  before  them. — Nearest  is  a  small  man, 
with  a  quick,  restless  eye,  who  shuffles  and  deals  off  the 
cards  with  the  sobriety  of  a  senator. — Hear  him  quickly  say, 
as  he  throws  down  a  couple  of  grains,  "I  bet  two  checks; 
what  will  you  do,  Sam?" — see  with  what  eagerness  they  all 


422  SCENES  IN  THE  TENTS. 

look  on,  as  they  compare  their  hands,  and  the  highest  rakes 
down  the  heap  ; — and  so  they  go  on  for  hours  ; — the  same 
scene  and  words, — "  I  pass," — "  I  bet  a  check," — "  I  see  your 
check,  and  go  three  better," — "  I  go  four  blind," — "  I  call 
you,"  with  little  dispute,  occasionally,  about  putting  up  their 
"  antics  ;"  with  sometimes  a  loud  laugh  from  the  winner,  and 
then  a  muttered  exclamation  from  a  loser,  who,  thinking  he 
had  held  the  best  hand,  had  bet  freely  upon  it,  and  then 
found,  to  his  disappointment,  that  another  held  a  better  one. 

We  have  now  passed  down  one  line  of  tents,  or  one  com- 
pany ;  each  company  in  the  regiment,  and  each  one  of  the 
regiments  of  the  brigade,  will  be  found  engaged  in  nearly  the 
same  ways.  It  is  so  all  over  the  camp.  Let  us  now  look  along 
the  shore  of  the  river,  near  to  which  our  walk  down  the  line 
of  tents  has  brought  us. — Here,  we  find  seated  on  the  low 
bank,  many  groups  of  men,  who  are  looking  on  the  beauti- 
ful scene  before  them,  of  the  peaceful  river,  with  the  vessels 
passing  up  and  down  ;  for  the  sea  breeze  now  gently  blows, 
though  the  surface  of  the  water  is  yet  unruffled.  They  are 
watching  the  porpoises,  who  throw  their  large  backs  out  of 
the  water,  blow,  and  then  disappear.  An  enormous  turtle 
occasionally  appears. — Passing  along,  we  see  other  men, 
catching  crabs,  in  the  shallow  water ;  these  are  very  nume- 
rous, and  with  a  short  pole,  a  line  with  a  piece  of  meat  on 
it,  and  little  dip  net,  one  man  catches  from  twenty  to  thirty 
in  an  hour.*  Others  we  see,  walking  the  shore,  apparently 
in  thought;  though  there  are  not  many  of  these,  most  having 
laid  aside  the  task  of  thinking,  as  a  continual  job,  to  be  ta- 
ken up  on  their  return  home. — Now,  reader,  we  have  given 
you  a  sample  of  the  crowded  camp,  when  in  a  state  of  rest 
and  quiet.  Of  course,  we  have  not  mentioned  all  particu- 
lars, but  enough  to  furnish  you  a  definite  and  correct  idea 
of  the  way  in  which  we  employ  our  time  when  off  duty ;  and 
knowing  it  upon  one  day,  you  know  it  upon  all. 

Monday,  February  8th.     As  mentioned,  in   the   note   ap- 

*  Besides  these  sea  crabs,  which  were  fine  eating,  the  whole  plain  was  covered  with 
the  holes  of  the  land  crab ; — these  were  not  fit  to  eat,  but  were  a  curiosity  to  our  men. 
They  were  of  a  blue  color,  the  body  somewhat  larger  than  a  hen's  egg,  long  claws, 
and  the  way  they  could  "  scud  it,"  sideways,  oTer  the  ground,  to  their  holes,  when 
pursued, "  wasn't  slow." 


PREPARING   FOR   A   MARCH.  423 

pended,  our  company,  G,  after  spending  half  the  night  in 
cooking  provisions,  and  preparing  forage  for  a  three  day's 
cruise,  against  Gen.  Cos,  to  assist  the  wrecked  Louisianians,* 
had  marched  to  tovvu,  and  upon  the  reception  of  the  news 
of  their  safety,  had  returned  to  camp.  One  of  the  principal 
attractions  in  a  soldier's  life,  is  the  total  uncertainty  of  the 

THE    WRECKED    LOUISIANIANS. 

*  On  this  day,  in  Tampico,  much  anxiety  was  felt  for  the  safety  of  four  companies 
of  the  Louisiana  regiment,  under  Col.  De  Russey,  who  had  been  wrecked  a  few  days 
before  this,  in  the  ship  Ondiaka,  some  thirty-five  or  forty  miles  south  of  the  mouth 
of  this  river.  Gen.  Patterson,  as  soon  as  the  news  of  the  wreck  came  to  hand, 
dispatched  to  their  relief,  a  steamboat  by  sea ;  and  by  land,  forty  dragoons,  a  full 
atajo,  or  sixty  pack  mules,  with  five  day's  rations  for  the  four  companies  ;  and,  for  the 
officers,  sent  fifteen  saddle-horses.  A  report  reaching  us  the  next  day,  that  the  detach- 
ment were  about  to  be  attacked  on  the  beach,  by  Gen.  Cos,  who  had  a  considerable 
force  to  the  southward,  at  Tuspan,  but  farther  from  the  wreck  than  we  were,  Gen. 
Patterson  ordered  one  company  from  our  regiment,  and  one  company  of  infantry,  from 
Col.  Campbell's,  to  march  on  the  following  morning. — Our  company,  G,  was  ordered 
by  Col.  Thomas,  this  evening,  to  be  off  by  daylight.  Every  one  jumped  at  the 
chance.  We  were  ready,  mounted,  and  marched  into  town,  with  the  company  of 
infantry  ;  but  as  we  were  about  to  enter  the  steamboat,  to  be  set  across  the  river,  the 
other  boat,  which  had  been  sent  out  the  day  before,  came  puffing  in,  and  landed 
some  officers,  who  reported  the  detachment  safe,  and  on  its  march  for  this  place. 
All  anxiety  was  at  once  relieved  in  the  city  and  camp ;  and  we  were  ordered  back, 
by  the  general.  The  same  day  the  command  arrived  safely,  and  in  good  condition. 
No  one  had  been  lost  in  the  wreck,  for  the  ship  did  not  go  to  pieces ;  and  after  the  gale 
abated,  they  had  but  little  difficulty  in  getting  ashore,  They  were  warmly  greeted  by 
all ;  they  appeared  as  brothers,  from  the  interest  felt  in  their  safety,  for  the  few  days 
back — But  a  shade  was  thrown  over  the  general  relief,  by  the  announcement  that  the 
inarch  had  been  made  with  such  precipitancy,  that  all  the  sick  unable  to  keep  up,  were 
left  along,  from  time  to  time,  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy ;  who  treat  all  such 
with  no  mercy. — The  condemnations  of  their  colonel,  by  his  officers  and  men,  for  this 
precipitate  march,  and  abandonment  of  the  sick,  were  neither  few  nor  low  ;  and  the 
same  feeling,  from  them,  was  imparted  to  all  others  through  the  different  camps ;  which 
feeling,  on  the  fourth  day  afterwards,  was  increased,  by  the  appearance  of  the  sick  men ; 
who  had  slowly  dragged  themselves  on,  up  the  sea-beach,  until  they  arrived  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river,  and  following  that  up,  had  come  opposite  our  camp,  and  waved  their 
hats  on  poles ;  which  being  perceived,  was  made  known  to  Gen.  Pillow,  who  immedi- 
ately sent  boats  for  them. — They  were  much  exhausted,  still  sick,  having  had  nothing 
to  eat  for  the  whole  time,  save  some  sea-fowls,  which  they  had  shot.  One  was  suffer- 
ing from  a  large  blister,  which  had  been  placed  upon  him  before  he  was  abandoned. — 
The  alarm  of  being  pursued,  they  pronounced  untrue,  for  they  had  not  seen  a  hostile 
Mexican  after  being  left.  When  asked  about  their  ammunition  (of  which,  in  excuse, 
it  had  been  said,  that  the  detachment  were  out),  they  showed  their  cartridge-boxes 
with  a  good  supply.  Many  men,  with  indignant  expression  of  countenance,  crowded 
around  the  poor  fellows,  as  they  came  ashore.  While  the  boat  landed  the  first,  the 
others  made  their  appearance ;  and,  to  our  great  joy,  we  found  that  all  were  safe. 


424  ABSENCE    OF   CARE  WITH   SOLDIERS. 

future,  even  for  an  hour;  no  calculation  is  made;  no  thought 
is  taken  ;  we  wait  for  orders,  and  are  ready  to  execute  them., 
of  whatever  kind  they  may  be.  One  soon  gets  tired  of 
making  any  plans  for  the  future,  save  for  the  time  when 
again  he  shall  arrive  at  home ;  and  all  feel,  with  regard  to 
themselves,  that  this  is  so  uncertain,  that  those  plans 
are  few.  When  a  definite  order  is  delivered,  we  know 
immediately  what  to  do ;  but  that  order  may  be  counter- 
manded, and  we  return  to  our  former  state ;  so  that  we 
think  but  of  the  moment,  and  let  the  future  take  care  of 
itself.  This  absence  of  all  care,  is  certainly,  what  at  home, 
in  busy  life,  is  never  experienced ;  and  in  whatever  light 
those  at  home,  who  never  tried  it,  may  view  it,  it  proves  to 
us  very  pleasant.  One  is  peculiarly  fitted  to  enjoy  the  pre- 
sent, and  the  days  pass  lightly  away.  It  was  on  this  ac- 
count, that  all  were  continually  so  full  of  sport ;  even  the 
foreheads  of  many  that  had,  when  first  they  joined  the  army, 
a  contracted  appearance  of  thought,  now  seemed  relieved, 
appeared  smoother,  and  their  countenances  were  brighter. 
If  difficulties  and  hardships  came,  they  endured  them  while 
remaining ;  but  they  had  not  suffered  them  in  anticipation  ; 
and  of  the  troubles  of  life  generally,  those  of  anticipated 
evils  make  up  no  small  proportion.  On  this  day  was  a  differ- 
ence of  scene,  from  that  expected ;  for  the  author,  as  well  as 
all  his  company,  had  received  orders  to  go  on  a  hard  march, 
and  attack  the  enemy  ;  but  that  march  had  only  been  a  plea- 
sant little  ride  into  town  and  back ;  and  the  rest  of  the  day 
he  spent  in  company  with  Capt.  Sneed,  and  two  or  three 
others,  in  a  delightful  little  excursion,  in  a  sail-boat,  down 
the  beautiful  river  (as  seen  in  the  second  picture),  and  over 
the  bar,*  out  into  the  wild  waves  of  old  ocean ;  passing  the 
day  very  agreeably,  and  returning  as  the  sun  was  declining 
in  the  west. 

Tuesday,  February  $th.     We  have  lost  three  men,  by  death, 
while  here  encamped  :  M.  Brady,  of  Capt.  Gillespie's  com- 

'  From  this  point,  which  is  the  left  hand  one  seen  in  the  view,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  Tampico  bar  stretches  across  the  mouth  from  N.  W.  to  S.  E. ;  the  depth  of 
water  on  it,  is  about  ten  feet.  The  position  of  this  bar,  is,  according  to  the  nautical 
charts,  22°  17'  north  latitude,  and  98°  24'  west  longitude. 


SICKNESS   IN   CAMP.  425 

pany,  who  died  two  or  three  days  since ;  C.  S.  Rungan  of 
Capt.  Evans',  died  day  before  yesterday  ;  and  Sergeant  J.  A. 
Smith,  ot  Capt.  Marshall's  company,  died  yesterday.  They 
were  buried  under  the  hill,  seen  in  the  picture,  near  the  old 
fort.  Tnere  were  many  dying  in  town,  at  the  hospital.  The 
climate  and  air,  although  very  pleasant  to  the  senses,  do  not 
appear  to  agree  with  many  of  our  men  ;  and  sickness,  when 
taken,  is  unusually  fatal ;  few  seem  to  recover,  when  severely 
attacked.  Probably  the  change  of  air,  experienced  in  our 
coming  down  from  the  mountains  so  elevated,  to  the  lower 
coast,  has  a  deleterious  effect  upon  their  constituitions.  A 
man  is  here  not  sick  long ;  he  dies  or  recovers  in  a  short  time. 

The  weather  now,  is  extremely  hot ;  and  the  direct  heat 
of  the  sun,  before  the  sea-breeze  rises  in  the  morning,  is 
compared,  by  many,  to  that  experienced  in  standing  a  few 
feet  off  from  a  log  fire.  The  heat  of  the  direct  rays  cer- 
tainly is  intense.  While  men  perspire  freely,  they  do  not 
appear  to  be  affected  by  it ;  but  if  one  gets  a  little  cold,  and 
his  perspiration  is  checked,  he  is  thrown  into  a  high  fever 
immediately ;  and  then,  as  the  numerous  deaths  show,  the 
chances  are  against  him. 

Wednesday,  February  10th.  Last  night,  we  lay  down  in 
our  crowded  little  tents,  without  covering,  suffering  much  on 
account  of  the  extreme  heat ;  but  before  morning,  a  norther 
burst  down  upon  us,  and  the  air  became  immediately  very 
cold,  and  the  wind  came  up  the  bend  of  the  river,  career- 
ing with  power.  When  we  turned  out  to  roll  call,  it  re- 
quired an  extra  blanket  upon  our  shoulders,  to  keep  us  com- 
fortable. The  parade  following,  was  extremely  unpleasant 
on  the  plain,  from  the  strong  wind  and  clouds  of  dust ;  our 
horses,  being  chilled,  were  almost  unmanageable ;  we  gal- 
loped round,  formed  lines,  columns,  files,  platoons,  &c.,  and 
were  heartily  rejoiced  to  be  released  at  last,  and  get  into  our 
tents  for  shelter. — The  river  was  lashed  into  breaking  waves, 
that  dashed  upon  the  shore  near  us,  with  a  continual  tumult. 
In  the  afternoon,  the  wind  blowing  still  stronger,  Capt. 
Sneed,  and  many  of  the  men  rode  down  to  the  mouth  of  the 
river  at  the  beach,  to  old  ocean  in  its  majesty,  when  his  bil- 
lows, chased  and  driven  by  the  strong,  keen  blasts  bursts  in 


426  THE  PHILOSOPHER  AND  HIS  HORSE,  ROSINANTE. 

thunder  on  the  shore.  The  rolling  mountain  waves,  as  they 
dashed  in,  excited  the  astonishment  of  all. 

Ingram,  the  philosopher  mentioned  before,  went  with  them 
to  observe  the  scene.  Ingram,  thin-visaged  and  lean  in  his 
person,  rides  a  tall  frame  of  a  horse,  equally  lean,  with  sunken 
eyes,  hip-bones  and  ribs  standing  out  in  relief  against  his 
tight  hide,  his  hair  standing  every  way. — It  is  a  wonder  to 
all  that  he  has  lived  so  long,  or  survived  the  labors  of  the 
campaign.  This  tall,  raw-boned  frame,  Ingram  calls  Rosi- 
nante ;  and  surely,  from  Cervantes'  description  of  Don  Quix- 
otte's  steed,  there  are  many  points  of  resemblance  between 
the  two.  Rosinante  has  been  unable,  for  some  time,  to  carry 
his  master,  being  afflicted  with  general  weakness,  tightness 
of  hide,  contraction  of  the  stomach,  and  skinned  upon  the 
prominent  ridges  of  the  backbone  ;  but  in  the  two  weeks  he 
has  remained  here,  having  had  twelve  quarts  of  oats  a  day, 
has  somewhat  recruited,  though  the  philosopher  declares  he 
could  eat  thirty-six,  and  says  that  he  would  fatten  if  he  had 
that  quantity, — and  probably  he  might  upon  that : — but  he  is 
so  old  that  his  teeth  are  all  out,  and  he  swallows  both  corn 
and  oats  without  mastication,  and  nothing  but  a  large  amount 
of  forage  could  at  all  fatten  him.  He  has  been  assisted  in 
his  general  state  of  health,  by  large  doses  of  nux  vomica, 
administered  to  him  by  his  master. 

The  philosopher  rode  him  on  parade  to-day,  for  the  first 
time  since  our  arrival  here ;  and,  after  parade,  went  down 
with  the  party  to  the  sea  beach.  The  waves,  as  before  said, 
were  rolling  far  up,  and  the  party  would  follow  a  retiring 
wave,  and  then,  suddenly  turning  their  horses,  retreat  at  full 
speed  from  the  next  one,  which  came  in  at  a  rapid,  threaten- 
ing rate,  towards  them  ;  and,  escaping  its  fury,  follow  that 
out  when  returning,  and  again  retreat  from  the  next  angry 
billow  that  advanced. 

The  third  wave  that  followed  was  of  larger  size,  and  all 
save  the  philosopher  escaped  it ;  he  thought,  that  by  making 
Rosinante  rear  up  as  the  wave  came,  he  would  plunge  over 
it ; — and  he  reined  him  up,  stuck  the  spurs  to  him,  and 
charged  the  curling  billow,  that  threw  up  its  foaming  crest 
far  above  the  rearing  Rosinante,  and  far  above  the  philoso- 


BEEF  FOR  GENERAL   COS.  427 

pher's  head,  as  well  as  above  his  previous  calculations,  and 
broke  down  upon  them  all  with  power  ;  knocked  off  the  rider, 
and  covered  him  up  in  the  foam,  sending  him  far  away  from 
Rosinante,  who,  with  saddle  and  bridle,  was  rolling  over  and 
over  in  the  billows. 

The  wave  retreated  ; — both  horse  and  rider,  now  far  sep- 
arated, endeavored  to  rise. — The  next  billow  broke  down 
and  rolled  them  over  and  over  again  ; — the  next  served  them 
in  the  same  way ;  but  both,  at  last,  nearly  exhausted,  ob- 
tained foothold,  and  got  out,  with  the  salt  water  running  in 
streams  off  of  them. — Rosinante  held  down  his  head,  and 
mustered  strength  to  shake  his  bones ; — the  philosopher, 
dripping  and-exhausted,  got  upon  him,  and  they  took  a  "  bee 
line  "  for  the  camp. 

Friday,  February  12th.  A  little  excitement  helped  us  out 
this  day. — It  was  caused  by  some  Mexicans,  who  were  en- 
deavoring to  swim  a  large  drove  of  several  hundred  cattle, 
across  the  river,  about  two  miles  below  our  camp,  to  drive 
them  down  to  the  Mexican  general,  Cos. — On  account  of  the 
lakes  above,  they  were  forced  to  cross  here.  It  was  a  bold 
move  ;  but  in  the  night  they  had  succeeded  in  crossing  about 
half  of  them,  before  it  was  known  to  our  generals.  Several 
companies  of  our  regiment  were  ordered  to  saddle  up,  and 
while  part  went  down  on  one  side,  the  steamer  conveyed  the 
others  across  the  river,  and  they  passed  down  on  that  side ; — 
the  whole  drove  was  captured. — The  drovers  and  peones, 
some  twenty-five  in  number,  were  taken  prisoners,  and 
they,  together  with  about  forty  pack  mules,  brought  up  to 
town. 

Saturday,  February  13th.  During  the  time  we  had  been 
here,  but  few  crimes  were  committed ; — scarcely  any  mur- 
ders, or  stabbing,  so  common  near  Matamoras  and  in  the 
valley  of  the  Rio  Grande. — These  people  were  a  better  sort 
than  those  of  the  frontier.  Our  generals  wished,  as  before 
said,  to  learn  them  something  more  than  they  already  knew 
about  our  customs;  and  wished  to  introduce  among  them] 
the  form  of  trial  by  jury,  a  thing  they  never  heard  of. 

An  opportunity  about  this  time  offered. — An  American  cit- 
izen was  killed  by  a  Mexican. — The  murderer  was  appre- 


428          SEARCH  OF  SHERIFF  FOR  "LOCKS." 

hended;  a  judge,  sheriff,  and  clerk,  were  appointed  by  the 
general  ;  and  the  criminal  court  of  Tampico  opened  its  ses- 
sions, to  the  utter  astonishment  of  the  old  administrators  of 
justice,  the  alcaldes.  The  panel  of  jurors  was  summoned, 
and  a  trial  took  place  in  due  form.  The  Mexican  was  con- 
victed, and  sentenced  to  be  hung  ;  but  evaded  that  part  of 
the  business,  by  escaping  from  confinement. 

The  whole  proceedings  of  this  new  court  caused  much 
merriment  among  the  men  ;  more  especially  when  the  sheriff 
was  most  busily  enquiring  for  Mr.  Locks,  of  the  Tennessee 
cavalry,  whom  he  had  summoned,  the  previous  evening,  as  a 
juror.  —  Each  one  could  direct  him  to  the  whereabouts  of  Mr. 
Locks  :  —  he  was  in  such  a  store,  near  by,  or  around  such  a 
corner;  —  every  one  had  just  seen  him;  and  the  poor  sheriff 
was  run  nearly  down,  in  looking  for  him.  He  must  have 
supposed  that  Mr.  Locks  was  hard  to  find  ;  —  and  so  he  was, 
for  he  was  often  hunted,  but  never  found,  as  far  as  we  ever 
heard.  As  his  name  became  so  known  to  the  regiment,  we 
will  speak  of  him  in  the  note.* 


*  Locks  was  a  queer  fellow,  and  cut  up  more  rustles,  shines,  and  capers,  than  all 
others  in  the  company  and  regiment  ;  and  we  will  introduce  to  the  reader  this  chap 
"  Locks,"  and  his  relative,  "  Cogle,"  of  the  Kentucky  regiment  of  cavalry,  and  relate  a 
few  of  their  numerous  peccadillos.  Both  are  fictitious  characters;  and  Locks  was  first 
heard  of  in  our  regiment,  and  Cogle  in  the  Kentucky,  as  long  ago  as  when  both  were 
encamped  near  Memphis,  in  Tennessee.  —  Col.  Marshall,  of  that  regiment  of  Kentuck- 
ians,  was  strict  and  positive  in  his  orders,  and  all  firing  of  guns  in  the  camp,  among 
other  things,  was  forbidden  ;  and  the  officer  of  the  day  was  instructed  to  take  all  of- 
fenders against  this  order  into  immediate  custody.  —  Some  of  the  men,  full  of  fun,  con- 
trived and  carried  out  the  following  scheme,  to  annoy  the  officer.  Several  went  into 
the  woods,  at  the  lower  part  of  the  camp,  and  one  discharged  a  gun,  and  immediately 
disappeared  among  the  bushes  ;  the  others  remained  on  the  spot,  strolling  around  ;  — 
presently,  the  officer  came  down  in  a  hurry,  and  wished  to  know  who  fired  that  gun. 
They  told  him  that  a  chap  named  Cogle  had  done  it,  and  then  cleared  himself.  He 
asked  to  what  company  he  belonged  ;  they  directed  him  to  one,  where  they  had  left  a 
man,  to  tell  him  that  Cogle  belonged  to  another  ;  where,  also,  he  was  to  be  sent  to  the 
third,  and  so  on.  He  hurried  on,  from  company  to  company  ;  sometimes  Cogle  was 
here,  and  sometimes  there  ;  one  had  just  seen  him  in  a  certain  tent  ;  there  they  told 
him  he  had  gone  to  the  next,  until,  after  a  weary  search,  the  officer  reported  that  Cogle 
fired  the  gun,  but  was  not  to  be  found. 

When  the  regiment  arrived  at  Little  Rock,  one  of  the  soldiers  committed  a  crime, 
for  which  he  was  placed  in  prison  ;  a  number  of  his  companions,  disguising  them- 
selves, forced  the  jail  in  the  night,  and  released  him.  This  transaction  greatly  incensed 


EFFECT   OF  SLIGHT  COLD  ON  MEXICANS.  429 

Saturday,  February  13th.  A  pleasant  day,  but  cool ;  for 
the  wind  was  still  from  the  north.  The  drills  were  short, 
and  many  devoted  the  day  to  strolling  around,  in  city  and 
camp. — Many  went  up  into  the  city,  to  seek  at  the  post-office, 
here  established,  letters  from  home.  The  author  went  for 
the  same  reason,  as  well  as  to  pick  up  any  items  of  news, 
that  might  have  been  received,  as  to  our  future  movements ; 
— but  no  letters  had  arrived  for  many  days  ;  and  as  to 
news,  there  was  none.  Nothing  could  be  known  until  Gen. 
Scott  arrived,  and  no  one  knew  where  he  was,  save  that  he 
was  on  the  coast  somewhere. — The  cool  weather  had  in- 
duced all  the  Mexicans,  walking  in  the  streets,  or  crowded 
in  the  markets,  to  closely  wrap  themselves  in  their  horongos 
and  scrapes ;  and  they  appeared  as  cold  as  our  people  at 
home  would  do  in  a  snow-storm.  There  were  just  as  many 
of  them,  however,  on  the  edge  of  the  square,  seated  around, 
with  their  wares  and  provisions  to  sell,  as  before,  and  they 
made  as  much  noise. — One  thing  was  not  mentioned  about 
these  little  traders,  that  in  such  numbers  are  found  in  every 

"  LOCKS  "    AND    "  COGLE." 

the  colonel,  who  offered  a  reward  for  the  ringleader  of  the  party,  and  his  associates. 
The  jailor,  too,  was  indefatigable  in  his  endeavors  to  recognise  them  in  the  regiment ; 
but,  among  the  multitude  of  strange  faces,  was  unable  so  to  do. — A  party  of  the  sol- 
diers, who  had  been  into  town,  on  a  frolic,  and  who  had  run  dry  of  the  means  to  get 
anything  more  to  drink,  met  the  jailor  in  the  street,  and  told  him,  that  if  he  would 
treat  them,  they  would  inform  him  who  was  the  leader  of  the  crowd  that  forced  the 
jail ; — that  they  regretted  much  the  whole  transaction,  and  that,  moreover,  he  must 
keep  the  source  from  whence  he  obtained  the  information  entirely  secret.  This  he 
promised  gladly ;  and  he  treated  the  party  to  punches  and  juleps,  as  much  as  they  could 
carry,  with  what  they  had  taken  before.  They  then  informed  him,  that  Cogle  was  the 
man  who  got  up  the  plan  of  attacking  the  jail,  and  that  he  had  headed  the  crowd ;  but 
that  they  did  not  know  to  which  company  he  belonged. — The  jailor  hastened  to  CoL 
Marshall,  who  had  fretted  and  fumed  about  the  matter,  threatening  vengeance  against 
the  offender.  When  the  jailor  gave  him  the  information  he  had  received,  the  colonel 
immediately  made  out  an  order  for  Cogle's  arrest ;  and  the  provost-marshal  commenced 
the  search  for  him.  He  was  directed  from  company  to  company ;  from  tent  to  tent ; 
into  town,  at  certain  groceries,  and  out  of  town  to  other  places ;  till  the  poor  provost 
was  heartily  tired  out,  and  had  to  give  up  the  chase.  Cogle  was  not  yet  caught. 

When  the  regiment  arrived  at  Washington,  Arkansas,  they  remained  there  seven 
days;  and  Cogle  was  still  at  his  tricks. — The  colonel  had  a  bill  presented  to  him  by 
one  of  the  citizens  of  the  town,  for  butter,  eggs,  hams,  and  market  vegetables,  bought 
for  him  by  his  servant  "  Cogle,"  the  day  previous.  The  colonel  declared  that  Cogle 
was  not  his  servant,  that  he  had  heard  of  the  man,  but  had  not  yet  been  able  to 
recognise  him. 


430  TAXES   IN  MEXICAN  TOWNS. 

Mexican  town,  which  is,  the  taxes  that  they  have  to  pay.  — 
Not  a  load  of  wood  on  a  jackass,  not  a  little  trifle  of  char- 
coal, not  a  dozen  bunches  of  fodder,  a  basket  of  oranges,  a 
pig,  quarter  of  beef,  a  few  pine-apples,  or  a  bag  of  red  pep- 
per, or  anything  else  enters  a  Mexican  town  without  a  cor- 
responding little  duty  being  exacted  on  it,  and  must  be  paid 
at  the  entrance.  —  These  people  are  taxed  in  every  possible 
shape  and  manner. 


AND    "COGLB. 

When  the  regiment  arrived  at  Port  Lavacca,  two  of  the  soldiers  walked  out  from  the 
camp,  and  one  shot  a  goat,  belonging  to  a  Frenchman,  who  resided  near  by  ;  and  his 
comrade  went  to  the  Frenchman  and  told  him  of  the  fact,  and  condemned  Cogle  for  it, 
in  the  most  unmeasured  terms.  The  Frenchman  was  very  "  wrathy,"  but  expressed 
himself  under  "  de  mos  great  obligations  "  to  the  informer,  treated  him  plentifully  to 
good  old  brandy,  and  immediately  laid  his  complaint  before  Col.  Marshall,  demanding 
redress.  Strangely,  but  from  the  amount  of  business  on  his  hands,  the  colonel  had 
forgotten  Cogle  ;  and  in  a  few  moments,  the  provost-marshal  had  in  hands  an  order  for 
his  arrest,  and  was  looking  for  him  ;  but,  of  course,  the  search  was  vain  ;  and  he,  as  well 
as  the  colonel  and  the  complaining  Frenchman,  found  that  "  Cogle  "  was  the  personifi- 
cation of  "  nobody."  The  Frenchman  got  no  satisfaction  for  the  loss  of  his  goat,  and 
left  the  camp  amid  the  shouts  of  "  Cogle  !  "  "  Cogle  !  "  to  his  extreme  annoyance. 

About  this  time,  there  arrived  at  Lavacca  thirty  of  our  regiment,  who  had  been  sick 
at  Memphis,  and  left  there  ;  and  who  now  came  round  by  water.  They  were  under 
the  command  of  Lieut.  Seaman,  and  were  encamped  near  the  Kentuckians.  Some  of 
the  men  of  the  regiment,  too,  had  been  sent  ahead,  and  arrived  there  seven  days  be- 
fore us.  Lieut.  Anderson,  of  our  own  company,  went  with  them  ;  and  they  all  re- 
mained in  Seaman's  little  camp.  The  Kentuckians,  in  the  mean  time,  shifted  their 
camp,  five  miles  lower  down. 

Seaman's  men  became  tired  of  their  salt  pork  ;  and  some  went  hunting,  but  had  no 
success  ;  returning,  they  came  near  this  same  Frenchman's  place,  and  seeing,  in  the 
prairie  beyond,  a  fat  yearling,  they  shot  it,  and  brought  the  meat  to  camp  ;  and  it  was 
soon  distributed  among  the  messes,  and  was  in  the  kettles,  boiling  for  dinner.  —  The 
Frenchman  soon  "  smelt  the  rat,"  and  came  down  to  their  encampment,  and  examin- 
ing the  kettles,  saw  the  meat  ;  and  looking  at  the  unskinned  legs  and  hoofs  of  the  yeai- 
ling,  discovered  that  it  was  the  missing  one.  —  He  went  up  to  the  lieutenant's  tent  ; 
Lieut.  Seaman  was  absent,  but  Lieut  Anderson  was  there,  reading.  —  The  sides  of  the 
tent  were  looped  up,  to  allow  the  fresh  sea-breeze  to  pass  through  ;  and  Hamilton,  an 
old  negro,  who  cooked  for  Seaman,  was  busy  about  his  dinner  without,  and  to  him 
the  Frenchman  l>egan  talking,  in  a  rapid  and  vociferous  manner,  about  his  "  pull 
—his  leetle  plack  pull  !  —  and  who  killed  his  pull  ?  —  and  he  vould  have  satisfaction 
for  his  plack  pull,"  &c.  He  attracted  Anderson's  attention,  who  asked  him  what  he 
wanted.  —  "  I  vants  satisfaction  for  my  pull,  my  leetle  plack  pull;  for  I  have  anoder 
plack  pull,  and  next  year  I  vill  have  a  yoke  of  pulls  !  "  —  Anderson,  knowing  that 
the  bull  had  been  killed,  told  him  to  name  his  price,  and  he  should  be  paid.  —  "  No, 
no,''  said  the  Frenchman,  "  I  sail  have  no  pay  !  I  vants  no  pay  for  my  leetle  plack 
pull  ;  I  vants  satisfaction  ;  I  vant  him  who  kill  my  plack  pull  to  be  punish  ;  for  I 


"TOMALES   CALIENTES."  431 

This  morning,  a  full  supply  of  all  articles  sold  here  was 
brought  in;  the  ugly  old  hags,  with  the  hot  tomcdes  steaming  in 
their  pots,  were  squalling  out  their  tomales  calicntcs!  more  often 
than  before;  and  they  had  many  customers,  to  whom  the  hot 
bits  went  well  in  the  cold  air. — Every  Mexican  that  we 
met,  as  we  passed  him,  had  the  same  expression,  with  his 
arms  under  his  blanket,  holding  that  up  to  his  neck,  and 
muffling  it  around  his  mouth  and  chin,  with  his  eyes  and  nose 

"  LOCKS  "    AND    "  COGLE." 

have  anoder  leetle  plack  pull,  and  next  year  I  vill  have  a  yoke  of  plack  pulls;  I  vants 
satisfaction — who  kill  my  pull  ?  " — Anderson  told  him  it  was  Cogle,  of  the  Kentucky 
regiment,  not  dreaming  that  he  had  ever  heard  of  Uogle.  The  name  struck  the 
Frenchman  all  aback  ;  throwing  up  his  hands,  and  turning  short  on  his  heel,  he 
shook  his  head,  saying  bitterly,  "  G — d  d — n  Cogles !  I  knows  him  before ;  he  kill 
my  goat ! "  off  he  went,  and  came  back  no  more. 

What  Cogle  is  in  the  Kentucky  regiment, "  Locks"  is  in  ours.  All  missing  articles, 
when  inquired  for,  are  found  to  be  taken  by  Locks — If  mischief  is  done,  and  looked 
into,  Locks  is  found  at  the  bottom  of  it ;  and  many  have  been  the  searches  after  him, 
and  many  a  threat  has  been  made  against  him,  by  those  who  have  been  trying  to  hunt 
him  up,  being  directed  back  and  forth  continually. 

"  Who  took  my  bridle,  last  night  ?  "  shouted  the  sergeant,  early  one  morning,  when 
preparing  to  saddle  up  for  the  day's  march.-^-Far  down  in  the  line  came  up,  repeated 
several  times,  "Locks  got  it.1' — "  G-d  d-m-n  Locks,"  was  the  reply. — A  soldier  broke 
by  the  guard ;  information  was  given  by  the  sentinel,  and  the  offender's  name  was 
found  to  be  Locks ;  and  much  search  was  made  to  find  him  out,  but  he  had  disap- 
peared. 

A  man  lost  his  blanket  coat,  when  intoxicated,  as  far  back  as  the  Trinity  river, 
in  Texas : — one  of  our  company  found  it,  and  wore  it.  About  a  month  afterwards, 
when  we  were  encamped  near  Victoria,  Texas,  the  owner,  having  seen  it  upon  him  at 
a  distance,  about  supper  time,  came  into  camp  to  inquire  after  it.  Lieut.  Anderson 
told  him  that  Locks  had  it,  and  that  he  was  cooking  his  supper  at  the  sixth  fire  down 
the  line.  Daniels,  an  old  soldier  of  the  Florida  war,  who  belonged  to  that  mess,  was 
cooking ;  was,  as  usual,  crabbed  and  cross  as  a  snapping-turtle,  especially  when  cooking 
over  the  hot  fire ;  with  his  butcher-knife  in  his  hand,  and,  with  his  sour  looking  phiz, 
he  appeared  like  a  malicious  spirit,  brooding  on  revenge.  He  was  in  his  worst  mood ; 
the  sweat  rolled  off  his  face,  and,  as  he  stood  looking  at  the  frying  meat,  he  appeared 
as  though  he  would  swallow  meat,  frying-pans,  and  a  lew  of  the  burning  coals,  for  a 
trifle.  The  owner  of  the  coat  approached,  through  the  bushes,  pretty  near  him,  but  did 
not  much  like  his  appearance,  and  stopped.  Some  of  us  followed  in  the  thicket,  to 
hear  the  noise,  which  we  knew  was  coming;  (for,  in  our  company,  to  call  a  man 
Locks  was  a  quick  insult ;  for  it  was  to  accuse  him  of  numberless  petty  thefts,  and  little 
rascalities).  Looking  on  for  a  moment  or  two,  the  man,  in  quite  a  subdued  tone,  said, 
"  Mr.  Locks,  will  you  step  this  way,  if  you  please  1 " — We  were  silent,  biting  our  lips. 
Daniels  heard  him,  but,  as  the  man  was  nearly  behind,  did  not  notice  it,  not  knowing 
that  he  was  addressed  ;  but  continued  grasping  his  long  knife,  and  looking  savagely 
in  the  fire. — He  called  again,  a  little  louder—"  Mr.  Locks." — Daniels,  casting  his  eyes 


432  REGULAR  BAND  OF  MUSIC. 

just  seen  between  the  large  fold  and  his  wide-brimmed  som 
brero, — "buennsdias,  Scftores;  hace  muchofrio!  (it  is  very  cold) 
and,  with  a  shiver,  he  passed  on. 

The  band  of  regular  musicians  were  making  the  plaza, 
this  morning,  resound  to  the  swells  of  their  notes,  and  they 
appeared  to  sound  more  clearly  than  usual ;  though,  at  all 
times,  they  play  in  a  most  excellent  manner,  and  their  music 
is  so  attractive  to  the  population,  that  every  calm,  pleasant 

"LOCKS'"  AXD  "COOLE." 

up,  saw  the  man,  standing  at  a  respectful  distance ;  and,  to  his  surprise,  too,  saw  that 
he  was  looking  at  him,  with  his  hand  raised,  beckoning  for  him  to  come  there. — "  Mr. 
Locks,"  as  he  caught  his  eye,  "step  this" — "G-d  d-m-n  your  half-made  soul," 
shouted  Daniels,  jumping  towards  him  with  his  knife,  "  do  yon  call  me  Locks  1 " — 
The  man,  retreating,  held  up  his  hand, — "  Mr.  Locks,  you  have  got  my  coat"  This 
made  Daniels  ten  times  more  furious  than  ever.  "  You  say  I  have  stolen  your  coat, 
you  d-m  puppy." 

The  man  endeavored  to  apologise,  but  to  no  effect ;  for,  in  his  alarm  at  the  storm  he 
had  raised,  he  kept  repeating  "  Mr.  Locks,"  and  "  his  coat,"  and  Daniels  was  furious ; 
and  we  had  quickly  to  interfere,  to  stop  the  storm. — "  You  had  better  be  getting  away 
from  here,"  shouted  Daniels  to  him,  as  we  held  him  from  pursuit — The  man  took 
him  at  his  word,  and  cleared. — He  came  next  day  and  got  his  coat,  from  another — the 
one  who  had  found  it 

The  adjutant  of  the  regiment,  one  hot  day,  upon  the  march,  in  the  heat  and  dust, 
was  suffering  for  the  want  of  eatables  and  water.  At  the  head  of  the  column,  he 
was  directed  to  Locks,  a  little  down  the  lines,  who,  he  was  told,  had  a  plentiful  sup- 
ply of  cold  beef,  bread,  &c.,  with  a  large  gourd  of  water.  Riding  down  the  lines,  he 
inquired  industriously  for  Mr.  Locks,  and  was  directed  by  every  one  down  farther,  un- 
til he  was  in  a  fair  way  to  arrive  at  the  rear  of  the  column  ; — and  would  have  done  so 
but  for  a  young  Irishman,  who  burst  into  a  loud  haw-haw,  when  inquired  of,  and  in- 
formed the  adjutant  that  he  was  after  a  fictitious  character. 

Corporal  Rhoton,  of  our  company,  a  young  man  of  fine  disposition,  but  sometimes, 
irritable  when  joked  too  hard,  a  few  days  since  in  town,  got  rather  high,  from  the  ef- 
fects of  a  bottle  of  brandy  cherries,  and  came  to  camp  in  that  way.  After  carrying 
on  sport  for  some  time,  to  the  amusement  of  all,  he  stretched  out  his  blanket,  and  lay 
down  to  rest  One  of  the  regular  soldiers,  in  the  meantime,  came  into  our  camp  to 
find  clothes  to  wash  (following  that  in  all  his  leisure  time,  at  the  cistern,  by  the 
canal).  Our  men  told  him  that  although  they  had  no  articles  of  clothing  to  wash  at 
that  time,  that  Lieut  Locks  had  many,  and  directed  him  up  the  lines,  to  seek  him. 
— Some  others  showed  him  Rhoton,  on  his  blanket,  as  the  man  he  was  looking  for. 
Looking  at  him,  as  he  lay  wilh  his  eyes  shut  the  soldier  exclaimed,  that  "  Lieut 
Locks  was  like  some  of  his  officers,  pretty  essentially  drunk."  Rhoton,  hearing 
this,  opened  his  eyes,  and  seeing  that  he  was  the  one  referred  to  as  Locks,  sprang  up 
and  made  at  the  regular,  who  then  called  on  his  legs  to  do  their  duty  ; — and  they 
done  it  well,  for  he  was  gone  quickly  ;  neither  did  he  ever  return  to  get  Lieut.  Locks' 
clothing. — A  day  never  passed,  but  that  Locks  was  called  upon. — He  was  accused  of 
all  mischief,  and  often  condemned  and  cursed  most  bitterly  by  those  in  search  of  him. 


SOLDIERS   IN   THE   REGULAR  ARMY.  433 

evening,  when  they  take  their  station  on  the  circular  stone 
elevation  around  the  flag  staff,  the  square  is  crowded  for  an 
hour  by  the  Mexicans,  both  male  and  female,  to  hear  the  in- 
spiring strains.  From  such  continual  practice,  they  become 
very  expert,  and  the  people  seem  to  forget,  even,  that  they 
are  part  of  a  hostile  force  that  have  taken  possession  of  their 
beautiful  city. 

Whatever  position  these  regulars  fill  in  the  service,  they  do 
it  in  a  first  rate  manner,  devoting  all  their  time  to  that  one 
thing. — They  march  well,  drill  well,  and  fight  well ; — though, 
in  the  fighting  part,  the  volunteers  who  were  in  the  field 
had  shown  themselves  to  be,  what  was  not  expected,  fully 
equal  to  them ;  and,  in  some  of  the  regiments,  equal  in  drill 
and  parade ; — though  a  volunteer,  here,  in  every  little  matter 
of  ceremony,  will  not  be  bound  down,  as  a  regular  is  obliged 
to  be.* 

It  was  cold  comfort  in  town  this  day,  for  there  were  no 
fires ;  they  never  using  them,  save  for  cooking ;  and  we 
returned  to  camp,  and  wrapped  in  our  blankets,  lay  down  in 
our  tents  to  read,  or  sleep  ;  which  last  as  usual  came  very 
quickly  to  us,  whenever  stretched  out.  We  were  not  dis- 
turbed until  the  drums,  fifes,  and  bugles  called  us  to  the  three 
o'clock  parade,  which  (thanks  to  the  norther),  was  but  a 

*  A  regular  soldier,  who  follows  it  for  a  livelihood,  in  peace  and  war,  in  garrison 
and  in  camp,  has  need  for  only  so  much  brains  as  will  enable  him  to  stand  erect, 
keep  his  clothing  and  tent  clean  and  neat,  and  his  arms  bright ;  to  enable  him  to  go 
through  the  common  evolutions,  and  to  understand  the  common  words  of  command, 
without  explanation ;  to  handle  the  musket,  sword  and  pistol  quickly ;  and  just  language 
enough  to  ask  for  his  allowance  of  eatables  and  whatever  else  he  may  need  to  satisfy 
his  appetite,  and  to  be  able,  when  out  of  hearing  of  his  officers,  to  swear  freely. — If 
he  has  any  more  brains  or  language  than  is  sufficient  to  answer  these  purposes,  they 
are  of  no  value  to  him ;  for  he  never  will  be  permitted  to  use  them. 

What  induces  men  of  intelligence  to  enlist  in  this  life  for  five  years,  and  then  enlist 
again  for  as  many  more,  we  cannot  tell,  without  it  is  that  they  get  plenty  to  eat  and 
drink,  and  comfortable  clothes  to  wear,  without  thought  or  care  to  themselves ; — the 
labor  of  thinking,  they  are  never  obliged  to  do.  Money  they  cannot  make,  their  wages 
being  so  small, — a  private  of  infantry,  seven  dollars  per  month  ;  dragoons,  eight ; — no 
hope  of  promotion  above  the  rank  of  a  sergeant  can  they  have,  for  graduates  of  West 
Point,  cadets,  step  in  above  as  lieutenants,  and  fill  all  higher  grades.  No  matter  what 
bravery,  what  qualities  of  a  soldier  may  be  exhibited  in  a  private,  still  he  is  to  be  kept 
under,  in  subjection  to  the  youngest  cadet,  to  whom  he  dare  not  speak,  without  he  has 
business,  and  he  never  can  cope  with  him  in  rank. 
28 


434  ARRIVAL  OF   GENERAL   SCOTT. 

name  to-day  ;  for  hardly  were  the  regiments  paraded  on  the 
plain,  when  all  were  dismissed  again  ;  and  soon  our  horses 
were  unsaddled  and  fed,  and  we  again  in  the  tents,  out  of 
the  blasts,  which  drove  the  angry  waves,  of  the  heretofore 
peaceful  river,  in  a  continual  dashing  roar,  on  the  shore  near 
us,  and  at  one  time  threatened  to  make  us  vamos  for  a  more 
elevated  situation. 

Thursday,  February  18th.  Times  had  gone  on  for  the  last 
week  as  before  ;  all  were  getting  impatient  to  move, — to  go 
ahead.  It  had  been  for  several  days,  the  only  inquiry  in  the 
camp,  when  will  Gen.  Scott  arrive?  where  shall  we  next 
go  ?  Every  one  seemed  anxious  to  be  off.  (Some,  the  most 
impatient,  the  author  remembers,  seemed  hurried  on  by  their 
destiny,  as  the  movement  for  which  they  were  so  anxious, 
was  the  last ; — they  found  their  graves  at  Vera  Cruz  and 
Cerro  Gordo).  Last  night  the  whole  army  was  elated,  by 
the  intelligence  that  Gen.  Scott  was  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river ;  and  this  morning  they  were  gratified  by  seeing  him 
come  up  on  the  steamer.  The  camp  of  our  brigade,  being 
the  first  at  which  he  would  arrive,  each  of  the  regiments 
were  drawn  out  on  the  river's  bank,  and,  as  the  steamer 
passed,  fired  a  salute ;  as  he  arrived  at  the  town,  the  artil- 
lery thundered  out  a  louder  welcome. 

As  there  was  no  secret  in  our  future  movements,  we  soon 
learned  all  that  was  doing.  We  found  that  Gen.  Worth  had 
been  detached  from  Gen.  Taylor,  and,  with  his  division  of 
regulars,  was  embarking,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande, 
for  Vera  Cruz;  and  we  learned  that  the  nine  new  regiments 
from  home,  which  we  had  heard  were  ordered  out  by  the 
president,  had  arrived  on  the  coast ;  but  the  ships  on  which 
they  came  were  lying  at  Lobos  Island,  some  forty  or  fifty. 
miles  down  the  coast,  waiting  for  the  whole  army  to  be 
collected,  for  a  grand  descent  upon  Vera  Cruz  and  the  castle 
of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa.  Every  arrangement  made  by  Gen. 
Scott  towards  this  great  end,  was  now  drawing  near  to 
completion. 

Saturday,  February  20th.  There  being  many  vessels  here, 
not  in  the  employ  of  the  government,  yesterday,  all  such 
were  chartered  to  assist  in  the  transportation  of  the  army. 


VOTE  OF  MOUNTED   REGIMENT.  435 

And  this  done,  Gen.  Scott  issued  orders  to  all  the  other  gen- 
erals and  colonels,  to  prepare  their  troops  for  an  immediate 
embarkation.  Gen.  Twiggs'  division  of  regulars,  first;  sec- 
ond, Gen.  Pillow's  Tennessee  brigade  ;  third,  Gen.  Quitman's 
brigade;  fourth,  Gen.  Shields'  brigade;  then  the  artillery. — 
Every  movement  now,  in  camp,  was  made  with  the  greatest 
activity. — A  large  fleet  of  ships  appeared  off  the  bar,  to  take 
the  troops.  No  sooner  was  the  order  issued,  than  Gen. 
Twiggs'  division  struck  their  tents,  and  marched  through 
town,  across  the  plain  in  front  of  us,  and  passed  to  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  where  they  encamped  for  the  night,  ready  to  go 
on  board  the  four  large  ships,  that  lay  there  to  receive  them, 
on  the  next  day. 

Sunday,  February  28th.  Gen.  Twiggs'  division  having  all 
been  embarked,  and  put  to  sea  for  Anton  Lizardo  (an  anchor- 
age near  Vera  Cruz),  going  by  the  way  of  Lobos  Island, — 
and  Gen.  Scott  also,  having  gone, — Gen.  Pillow's  brigade,  to 
which  we  belonged,  was  in  turn  next ;  but  a  violent  norther 
came  on,  and  the  ships  were  obliged  to  put  to  sea,  for  safety ; 
and  thus,  the  embarkation  was  interrupted.  Some  of  them 
having  arrived  this  day,  the  other  two  Tennessee  regiments 
struck  their  tents,  and  were,  by  the  steamboats,  taken  down 
to  the  ships.  Our  regiment  were  compelled  to  remain, 
none  of  the  horse  transport  vessels  having  arrived.  We  dis- 
liked this  very  much  ;  but  it  had  been  foreseen ;  and  a  day 
or  two  previous  to  this,  Gen.  Pillow  had  addressed  our  regi- 
ment, and  told  us,  that  there  was  a  scarcity  of  vessels,  and 
gave  us  our  choice,  if  vessels  to  convey  our  horses  did  not 
arrive,  whether  we  would  remain  with  them  at  Tampico, 
until  such  vessels  should  come,  or  whether  we  would  leave 
our  horses,  to  be  brought  on  as  soon  as  possible,  and  go  on 
ourselves,  and  serve  in  the  siege  of  Vera  Cruz,  on  foot.  He 
told  us,  that  every  man  might  vote  for  himself;  that  if  a 
man  did  not  like  to  leave  his  horse,  he  might  remain  ;  and 
that  those  who  were  willing  to  serve  on  foot,  should  go  ;  that 
those  who  wished  to  go  upon  those  conditions,  would  march 
to  the  left,  and  those  to  stay,  to  the  right. — At  the  word 
march,  the  whole  regiment,  in  a  body,  turned  their  horses  to 
the  left — thus  voting  to  go,  and  serve  on  foot — save  one 


436  ANTICIPATED   DEPARTURE. 

man. — Gen.  Quitman's  brigade  came  in  to  embark  next ;  Gen. 
Shields'  to  follow. — Reader,  while  waiting  for  our  own  turn, 
let  us  attend,  in  the  next  chapter,  to  the  operations  of  the  other 
divisions  of  the  army,  during  January  and  February,  1847. 

Marriage  Ceremoniu  in  Mexico. — There  is  no  country  where  marriage  ceremonies  are  more 
imposing  and  obligatory,  and  yet  where  those  obligations  are  generally  so  little  binding,  as  in 
Mexico.— We  will  speak  of  the  marriage  of  the  higher  class,  which  covers  all  the  less  ex- 
|>ensive  and  showy  mode  of  the  lower. — The  law  requires  the  man  to  be  twenty -one  years  of 
age.  the  lady  eighteen, — and  both  members  of  the  Catholic  church. — When  a  young  man  sees 
a  senorita  with  whom  he  "  falls  in  love,"  it  is  unnecessary  for  him  to  say  anything  to  her  about 
it;  lor  the  parents  of  the  lady  have  the  whole  matter  to  dispose  of,  and  do  not  much  consult  her 
feelings. — The  young  man  goes  to  their  house,  and,  without  any  preliminary,  solicits  their 
daughter  in  marriage.  The  matter  is  immediately  considered;  his  wealth,  standing,  &c., 
weighed  ;  and  if  he  have  these  qualifications  in  sufficient  degree,  the  bargain  is  at  once  con- 
cluded. The  lover — now  called  el  novio — proceeds  to  the  priest,  the  curate  of  the  parochia, 
and  makes  known  his  intentions. — The  curate  goes  to  the  house  of  the  maiden,  and  informs 
her  that  she  is  applied  for,  and  by  whom. — She  may  or  may  not  have  previously  heard  of  it. — 
lie  requires  her  certificate  of  baptism.  This  has  been  committed  to  her  years  before  by  her 
parents,  and  has  been  carefully  kept;  for  without  it,  she  has  learned  when  a  child,  that  she 
never  could  marry. — She  immediately  produces  this,  and  the  curate,  by  perusal,  learns  her 
name  and  age. — She  is  now  called  la  novia. — The  curate  returns  to  the  parochia — sends  for 
the  young  man,  the  now'o— shows  him  the  baptismal  certificate  of  the  novia;  then  demands 
his  own,  which  is  produced. — All,  so  far,  is  right. — But  if  he  has  been  born  elsewhere,  the 
curate  demands  of  him  the  certificate  of  the  priest  of  that  place,  that  he  is  a  saltero — (a  single 
man).  This  may  be  hard  to  get,  on  account  of  distance,  ice. ;  and  then  the  difficulty  is  obviated 
by  obtaining  a  dispenta  from  the  bishop,  which  costs  as  high  as  that  functionary  thinks  the  novio 
is  able  to  pay. — That  certificate  obtained,  or  thus  avoided,  the  notno  and  novia  are  informed 
that  all  is  right,  and  that  the  ceremony  of  marriage  will  be  performed  in  the  parochia,  after 
publishing  the  same  there  for  three  consecutive  Sundays ;  (this  publication  may  be  avoided, 
by  the  notno  buying  of  the  bishop  another  dispcnsa  for  the  purpose). — Two  other  young  per- 
sons are  now-needed,  (the  same  as  are  familiarly  called,  in  our  western  country,  the  waiters) ; 
— these  are  the  young  man — compadre— attendant  on  the  bridegroom ;  and  young  lady — eema- 
dre, — the  bridesmaid. — All  is  ready. — The  party,  attended  by  friends  and  relatives,  go  to  the 
parochia.  The  novia  and  noria  confess  their  sins  to  the  priest,  receive  absolution,  and  partake 
of  the  holy  sacrament ;  and  then  must  immediately  be  married,  before  they  sin  again.  The 
novio  and  novia.  the  attending  compadre  and  comadre,  advance  to  the  altar,  and  kneel  upon  the 
step.  The  priest  comes  out,  preceded  by  four  church  boys  in  their  robes.  One  bears  a  lofty 
cross,  called  cruz  alto ;  another  swings  the  censer  of  holy  burning  incense,  the  smoke  ot 
which  diffuses  itself  around ;  the  other  two  each  bear  a  rich  double  candlestick,  with  two 
lighted  candles.— The  parties  rise  to  their  feet.  The  ceremony  is  precisely  like  that  of  the 
Episcopal  church;  the  ring  is  always  used.  This  ceremony  through,  they  leave  for  their 
home ;  but,  at  three  o'clock  the  next  morning,  re-appear  at  the  church — the  married  lady 
dressed  in  black.  Her  husband  kneels  by  her,  and  over  them  both  is  thrown  a  black  mantle- 
called  a  manquerno  (yoke) ;  the  attending  compadre  and  comadre  also  kneel,  and  both  hold  up 
lighted  candles,  while  mass  is  said. — This  holyfuneion  not  only  binds  the  marriage  ceremony 
upon  the  novio  and  novia,  but.  together  with  that,  throws  the  waiters — the  compadre  and  coma- 
dre — into  a  state  of  relationship  with  one  another,  not  so  near  as  brother  and  sister,  but  nearer 
than  cousins ;  so  that  they  can  never  after  marry  each  other,  without  an  especial  dispensa. — 
This  relationship  is  always  afterward  claimed. — The  parties,  after  mass,  rise ;  the  compadre 
hands  to  the  bride  twelve  pieces  of  silver  or  gold :  these  she  gives  to  the  priest  as  a  don  (gift) ; 
each  one  represents  an  apostle.  Beside  this,  the  regular  fees  are  sixteen  dollars  and  a  half; 
and  in  addition  to  this  is  a  compensation  for  the  cruz  alto  (high  cross),  of  from  twenty  to  one 
hundred  dollars,  or  more,  according  to  the  wealth  of  the  parties;  and  still,  added  to  the  ex- 
pense, is  a  quantity  of  small  coins,  to  be  thrown  by  the  compadre  among  the  crowd  of  peones, 
4c.,  at  the  door-way. — For  the  poor  people,  the  cruz  bajo  or  low  cross  is  used ;  many  of  the 
higher  ceremonies  dispensed  with ;  and  the  priest  receives  but  the  regular  fees — S16f. — All 
married  couples  must  attend  mass,  and  be  covered  with  the  manquerno  three  several  time* 


CHAPTER    XI. 

IN  this  month  of  February  there  had  been  much  fighting 
in  Mexico,  with  the  other  divisions  of  the  army  :  there  had 
been  but  little  in  January.  Some  fighting  had  taken  place 
in  the  conquered  province  of  California,  during  the  month 
of  January,  as  well  as  in  the  preceding  month — December ; 
for,  when  Gen.  Kearney  arrived  there,  from  Santa  Fe,  with 
his  hundred  dragoons  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  instead 
of  finding  it  tranquil,  as  he  expected,  to  his  surprise  he  found 
that  the  enemy,  under  Gen.  Flores,  had  risen  and  retaken 
the  country,  save  two  or  three  seaport  towns ;  and  the  first 
reception  that  the  gallant  general,  with  his  little  band,  met, 
was  an  attack  from  a  much  superior  Mexican  force,  on 
December  6th,  near  San  Pascual.  In  the  severe  contest  that 
ensued,  he  came  off  victorious,  with  a  loss  of  twenty  killed, 
and  fifteen  wounded;  and, on  the  12th  December, he  entered 
the  town  of  San  Diego,  then  in  the  possession  of  the  naval 
forces.  Com.  Stockton  adding  five  hundred  marines  to  his 
force,  he,  in  a  short  time  after  this,  marched  against  Pueblo 
de  los  Angeles,  where  was  the  main  force  of  the  Mexican 
insurgents.  These  he  defeated  in  two  engagements — one  on 
the  8th,  and  the  other  on  the  9th  of  January  ;  and  thus  re- 
gained the  whole  country. — He  assumed  the  chief  command 
of  the  conquered  province  on  March  1st,  and  its  tranquillity 
was  no  more  disturbed.* 

Beside  this  insurrection  in  California,  one  had  broken  out 
in  another  quarter,  New  Mexico.  After  Gen.  Kearney  had 
left  for  California,  and  Col.  Cooke's  battalion  and  Col.  Doni- 
phan  had  gone  to  the  southward,  Col.  Price  was  the  military 

*  Gen.  Kearney  was  succeeded  in  command  of  California,  on  the  1st  of  June,  1847, 
by  Col.  Mason,  first  dragoons,  United  States'  army. 

(437) 


438  BATTLE  OK  CANADA. 

commander  of  the  province.  He  had  under  his  command 
near  two  thousand  men,  consisting  of  his  own  regiment  of 
cavalry,  also  one  battalion  of  four  companies  of  mounted 
men,  under  Lieut. -col.  Willock,  and  two  companies  of  infan- 
try, under  Lieut.-col.  Angney,  one  company  (Fischer's)  artil- 
lery, (all  of  which  troops  were  from  Missouri),  and  three  com- 
panies, regular  dragoons,  under  Capt.  Burgwin. — This  force, 
mostly  mounted,  was  scattered  in  different  situations,  through- 
out those  parts  of  the  province  where  grazing  for  their  horses 
could  be  found. 

An  insurrection  was  planned  by  Senores  Ortiz,  Charvez, 
and  Gen.  Archulette,  against  the  Americans. — This  plan, 
which  was  to  make  a  general  rise  at  midnight,  on  December 
19th, — afterwards  postponed  to  Christmas  eve,  the  24th, — 
was  discovered  on  the  21st,  and  prompt  measures  adopted 
for  its  prevention. — The  leaders,  however,  escaped,  and  plan- 
ned another,  which  was  executed  on  the  night  of  January 
19th ;  but,  on  account  of  the  watchfulness  of  the  different 
detachments,  although  the  rising,  save  in  the  city,  was  uni- 
versal, was  but  partly  successful. — Gov.  Bent  and  several  of 
his  officers,  being  in  the  valley  of  Taos,  at  the  town  of  San 
Fernando,  to  the  north  of  Santa  Fe,  fell  victims  to  it,  being 
brutally  massacred. — Twenty  others,  also,  in  the  different 
detachments,  were  killed  in  the  separate  attacks.  The  Mex- 
ican population  immediately  flew  to  arms,  for,  as  yet,  they 
had  not  tried  their  strength  with  "  los  Americanos,"  having, 
at  first,  quietly  surrendered. 

On  the  23d,  Col.  Price,  at  the  head  of  four  hundred  men, 
and  four  pieces  of  artillery,  marched  against  the  body  of  the 
insurgents,  who,  with  a  force  of  fifteen  hundred,  had  posted 
themselves  on  the  strong  heights,  at  the  village  of  Canada. 
On  the  24th,  a  spirited  action,  of  an  hour  and  a  half,  began 
by  cannonade,  and  ended  by  a  charge,  which  sent  the  routed 
foe  in  every  direction  over  the  hills,  with  the  loss  of  thirty- 
six  killed,  and  some  two  or  three  hundred  wounded.* 

REPORT  OF  KILLED  A!CD  WOUNDED  AT  CANADA,  JANUARY  24:TH,  1847. 

*  Infantry  battalion,  commanded  by  Capt.  W.  Z.  Angney. — Killed — Private 
Graham ;  wagoner  G.  M.  Smith,  (volunteered  to  fight).  Wounded — Private  John 
Pace,  slightly  ;  1st  lieutenant  Irwin,  severely,  through  the  leg. 


BATTLE  OF  EL  EMBODA.  439 

The  insurgents  fell  back  farther  to  the  north,  up  the  river, 
to  the  pass  of  Emboda,  and  took  a  very  strong  position. — 
Captain  Burgwin  now  had  joined  Col.  Price,  with  two  com- 
panies of  dragoons  and  another  field  piece,  and  the  augmen- 
ted force  marched  against  the  enemy,  and  a  detachment  un- 
der Capt.  Burgwin  charged  upon  them,  in  a  narrow  gorge, 
and  completely  routed  them,  with  the  loss  of  twenty  killed 
and  sixty  wounded.* 

The  insurgents  fell  back  still  farther  to  the  north,  and  pre- 
pared to  make  a  desperate  stand  at  San  Fernando  de  Taos, 
where  Governor  Bent  and  others  had  fallen  victims  to  the 
massacre.  The  enemy  were  not  allowed  much  interval  in 
fighting,  for,  although  the  snow  lay  deep  on  the  mountains 
to  be  crossed,  the  victorious  force  toiled  over  them  on  the 
1st  and  2d  of  February,  on  the  3d  entered  San  Fernando, 
and  immediately  marched  against  the  neighboring  Indian 
town,  El  Pueblo,  where  the  insurgents  were  posted  in  a  strong 
church,  and  two  other  buildings  like  pyramids,  the  walls  of 
which  were  almost  impenetrable  to  cannon  shot. — The  battle 
commenced  that  afternoon,  ceased  at  night,  and  was  renewed 
on  the  4th  ;  and  the  enemy,  after  a  severe  engagement,  were 
wholly  defeated  and  subdued,  with  a  loss,  on  this  day,  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty-two  killed,  and  between  three  and  four 
hundred  wounded ; — American  loss,  fifty-four  killed  and 
wounded,  among  the  latter,  mortally,  was  the  gallant  Capt. 
Burgwin  .f — One  of  the  under  leaders  of  the  rebellion,  Mor- 
tayo,  was  taken  here,  and,  in  a  day  or  two,  hung  at  San 
Fernando. 

Lieut.  Dyer's  battalion,  artillery. —  Wounded — Sergeant  Caspers,  slightly  ;  pri- 
vates Aulman,  severely,  in  the  ankle ;  Murphy,  severely,  in  the  knee ;  Meagre,  se- 
verely, in  the  arm. 

*  KILLED    AND    WOUNDED    AT    THE    BATTLE    OF    EL    EM  HOD  A,    UNDER    CAPTAIN    BUR- 
GWIN, JANUARY    29TH,    1847. 

Killed — Private  Papin,  of  St.  Vrain's  company  of  Santa  Fe  volunteers.— 
Wounded — Dick,  Gov.  Bent's  servant,  severely. 

f  KILLED    AND    WOUNDED    AT    PUEBLO    DE    TAOS    ON    THE    4TH    FEBRUARY,   1847,  2p 
REGIMENT    MISSOURI    VOLUNTEERS,  AND    U.  S.  DRAGOONS. 

Company  D,  dipt.  S.  H.  McMillen. —  Wounded — Capt.  McMillen,  slightly,  in 
the  head ;  privates  R.  C.  Bower,  severely ;  Henry  Fender  and  George  W.  Thomp- 
son, dangerously ;  Robert  Hewett,  George  W.  Howser,  and  Wm.  Ducoing,  slightly. 

Company  K,  Lieut.  White. —  Wounded — Capt.  James  W.  Jones,  severely;  ser- 


440  BATTLES   OF  PUEBLO  DE   TAOS   AND   BAG  AS. 

At  the  same  time  that  these  events  were  going  on,  to  the 
north  of  Santa  Fe,  Capt.  Hendley  was  to  the  east,  at  Ba- 
gas,  with  two  hundred  and  fifty  men.  With  eighty -five,  he 
attacked  the  village  of  Mora,  where  three  hundred  of  the 
insurgents  had  posted  themselves.  He  defeated  and  dis- 
persed these,  killing  twenty-five,  wounding  fifty,  and  taking 
seventeen  prisoners  ;  but  lost  his  own  life,  falling  on  the  field. 
— Thus,  in  a  short  space  of  time,  by  these  energetic  and  de- 
cisive movements,  did  Col.  Price  and  his  officers  quell  the  se- 
rious rebellion  ;  and  the  province  of  New  Mexico  was  again 
quiet,  in  the  hands  of  the  American  forces. 

While  these  battles  had  been  fought  with  the  insurgents 
in  New  Mexico  and  California,  others,  between  larger  forces 
took  place,  farther  south.  One  of  these  had  been  fought  by 
Col.  Doniphan,  with  the  first  Missouri  regiment,  and  its  aux- 
iliaries of  the  second,  at  Sacramento,  near  Chihuahua ;  and 
we  will  now  follow  up  the  movements  of  this  gallant  body 
of  men,  from  the  time  at  which  we  left  them,  at  the  close  of 
the  year  1846.  Then,  they  had,  after  the  battle  of  Brazito, 
taken  possession  of  the  town  of  El  Paso,  on  the  Rio  del 
Norte.  Col.  Doniphan  was  now  placed  in  a  very  difficult 
situation.  He  had  been  ordered  to  report  to  Gen.  Wool,  at 
Chihuahua ;  but  that  officer  had,  on  account  of  the  difficul- 

geant  Alfred  L.  Caldweil,  mortally,  (since  dead)  ;  private  James  Austin,  mortally, 
(since  dead). 

Company  L,  Capt.  Wm.  Y.  Slack —  Wounded — Second  Lieut  John  Mansfield, 
•lightly  ;  privates  Jacob  Moon,  severely  ;  Wm.  Gillem,  slightly. 

Battalion  of  artillery,  Lieut.  Dyer,  U.  S.  ordnance. —  Wounded — Privates  Berlfed 
and  Jod,  severely  ;  Kohne,  slightly,  and  some  others  slightly,  not  reported. 

Battalion  of  infantry,  commanded  by  Capt.  W.  Z.  Angney. — Killed — Sergeant 
Hart.  Wounded — Lieut.  Vanvolkenburgh,  (since  dead)  ;  Sergeants  Ferguson  and 
A  all,  severely. 

Company  G,  U.  S.  dragoons,  commanded  by  Capt.  Burgwin. — Killed — Sergeant 
G.  B.  Ross  ;  privates  Brooks,  Beebe,  Levrey  and  Hansucker.  Severely  wounded — 
Captain  Burgwin,  (since  dead)  ;  sergeant  J.  Vanroe,  twice  ;  corporals  Engleman  and 
J.  Linneman ;  privates  S.  Blodget,  S.  W.  Crain,  R.  Deits,  G.  F.  Sickenburgh,  J. 
Truax,  (dead),  Hagenbaugh  and  Anderson.  Slightly  wounded — Beach,  Hutton, 
Hillerman,  Walker  1st,  Schneider,  (dead),  Shay,  and  Near. 

Company  I,  1st  dragoons. —  Wounded — Bremen,  slightly. 

Company  M,  Capt.  W.  C.  Hnlley. —  Wounded — Samuel  Lewis,  slightly. 

Company  N,  Captain  Thomas  Barbee. —  Wounded — First  Lieut  T.  G.  West, 
("lightly  ;  privates  J.  H.  Calaway,  John  Nash,  and  John  G.  Lights,  all  slightly. 


INTERCEPTED   LETTERS.  441 

ties  of  the  route,  abandoned  that  purpose,  moved  to  the 
south,  and  joined  his  forces  to  those  of  Gen.  Taylor.  This 
was,  for  some  time  after  their  arrival  here,  unknown  to  the 
Missourians ;  who  now,  at  this  little  town  on  the  Rio  Grande, 
were  shut  out  from  all  knowledge  of  home,  or  of  any  opera- 
tions of  the  war,  save  those  that  they  themselves  had  car- 
ried on.  They  were  now  placed  in  the  heart  of  an  enemy's 
country,  with  the  general,  to  whom  they  were  ordered  to 
report,  far  in  the  south — near  a  thousand  miles,  by  the  wind- 
ing mountain  roads  ;  and  between  them  were  large  tracts  of 
desert  country  ;  then  again,  large  sections  thickly  populated, 
all  hostile,  and  unsubdued ;  and  not  only  many  small  towns 
on  the  way,  but  the  city  of  Chihuahua  had  to  be  taken — a 
strongly  fortified  place  of  twenty  thousand  inhabitants;  and 
all  this  would,  if  the  march  was  undertaken,  have  to  be  done 
by  a  small  force,  little  over  one  regiment,  cut  off  entirely  from 
all  succor. 

For  many  days,  with  the  gallant  commander  and  his  brave 
men,  all  was  uncertainty  and  doubt.  Contradictory  rumors 
from  the  enemy  followed  the  previous  report. — The  utmost 
vigilance  could  not  prevent  the  departure  from  town  of  per- 
sons for  Chihuahua,  who  carried  to  the  enemy  there  a  full 
account  of  the  state  and  strength  of  this  regiment. — Capt. 
Reid's  company  having  been  out  on  a  little  scout,  a  few 
miles  down  the  river,  on  returning,  met  three  Mexicans,  well 
armed,  who  had  succeeded  in  leaving  town  ;  he  apprehended 
and  searched  them,  and  found  upon  them,  letters  from  one 
of  the  principal  priests  of  El  Paso,  giving  information  of  the 
condition  of  their  force,  their  probable  intention  to  march  to 
the  south ;  and  also  making  the  most  extravagant  and  false 
assertions,  of  their  cruelty  and  barbarism  towards  the  inhab- 
itants of  El  Paso.  The  men  were  immediately  taken  back 
to  the  town,  and  the  priest  arrested ;  together  with  another, 
whose  letters  were  found  of  the  same  kind,  and  both  were 
placed  in  confinement. — In  the  mean  time  the  Mexicans  at 
Chihuahua  having  ascertained  the  strength  of  Doniphan's 
command,  and  knowing  also  that  there  were  no  reinforce- 
ments for  him  behind,  and  also  knowing  that  Gen.  Wool 
had  abandoned  the  idea  of  marching  from  the  southward 


442  COL.  DONIPHAN'S  REGIMENT. 

against  them ;  and  having,  at  the  city,  a  force  of  four  thous- 
and five  hundred  men,  and  thirteen  pieces  of  artillery,  wished 
much  to  draw  Doniphan  into  the  march  against  them,  confi- 
dent of  annihilating  his  force  ;  and  to  this  end,  published  in 
the  Chihuahua  papers,  that  Gen.  Wool  was  on  the  route, 
with  a  heavy  force,  and  within  a  few  days'  march  of  the  city, 
and  contrived  that  this  report  should  be  circulated  at  El  Paso, 
followed  by  another,  in  a  few  days,  that  the  city  was  taken 
by  him.  These  reports  came  to  El  Paso,  but  shortly  they 
were  contradicted,  by  an  American,  "who  had  escaped  from 
Chihuahua;  who  informed  Col.  Doniphan,  that  Gen.  Wool 
was  not  there,  and  that,  moreover,  from  all  they  could  learn, 
that  he  was  not  coming ;  that  the  most  current  report  in  Chi- 
huahua, was,  that  Gen.  Santa  Anna  was  marching  against 
him  and  Gen.  Taylor,  with  twenty  thousand  men.  This 
information  gave  to  all  a  desire  to  go  onward.  A  council 
of  officers  was  held,  and  although  it  was  universally  pro- 
nounced hazardous  in  the  extreme,  yet  all  were  in  favor  of 
going. — More  than  the  loose  report,  before  mentioned,  they 
knew  not ;  had  not  heard  where  the  generals  were,  but  only 
knew  that  they  were  to  the  southward ;  had  just  learned 
through  Mexicans,  of  the  battle  of  Monterey ;  but  knew  not  of 
the  capture  of  Saltillo,  and  the  country  on  the  Rio  Grande, 
although  these  events  had  taken  place  months  before ;  in 
fact,  only  knew  that  the  war  continued  to  exist,  by  the  con- 
tinued belligerent  attitude  of  the  Mexicans  around. 

This  regiment  having  made  a  campaign  against  the  In- 
dians, having  already  passed  through  the  greatest  hardships, 
and  traveled  two  thousand  miles,  nearly  all  of  which  was  un- 
known to  the  public  at  home ;  and  being  still  far  out,  alone, 
surrounded  by  vast  mountains,  and  tracts  of  wilderness,  cloth- 
ed in  skins,  like  savages  ;  without  any  of  the  scant  conveni- 
ences even  of  soldiers,  were  still  willing  and  eager  to  ad- 
vance through  unknown  districts,  a  distance  they  knew  not 
how  far,  except  that  it  could  not  be  less  than  a  thousand 
miles,  in  which  they  were  sure  of  meeting  a  formidable  ene- 
my, four  times  as  strong  as  their  own  force,  that  they  knew 
had  been  mustered  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  that  of  Gen. 
Wool ;  and  beside  that,  they  knew  that  the  strength  of 


MARCH  FOR  CHIHUAHUA.  443 

the  city  of  Chihuahua  was  ready  to  oppose  their  progress, 
beside  many  other  inferior  towns.  In  the  face  of  all  this 
formidable  array,  they  were  willing  and  anxious  to  go. 

But  the  officers  of  this  command,  though,  as  said,  willing 
and  anxious  to  go,  yet  decided  not  on  it;  determining  to 
leave  it  to  the  men,  who  must  endure  the  toil  and  pain  to- 
gether with  themselves,  of  this  arduous  undertaking,  if  de- 
termined upon. 

It  might  be  thought  that  the  movement  was  the  only  one 
the  regiment  in  their  advanced  situation  could  make,  to  ex- 
tricate themselves.  But  this  was  not  so. — Col.  Doniphan 
had  received  orders  to  report  himself  to  Gen.  Wool  at  Chihua- 
hua ;  but  he  had  now  found  that  that  general  was  not  there, 
nor  had  he  been  within  six  hundred  miles  of  that  place. — 
His  orders,  therefore,  were  at  an  end  ;  and  as  a  commander 
of  a  separate  division  of  the  army,  and  more  especially,  as 
placed  beyond  the  reach  of  orders,  his  control  of  his  force, 
and  powers  of  using  his  discretion,  were  equal  to  those  of  a 
general.  The  road  back  to  Santa  Fe  was  open  ; — he  could 
fall  back  with  honor  to  himself  and  command. 

The  regiment,  with  its  auxiliaries,  having  now,  in  addition 
to  Lieut.-col.  Mitchell's  escort  of  ninety-three  men,  been 
joined  by  Capt.  Weightman's  company  of  artillery,  of  six 
pieces,  and  one  hundred  and  seventeen  officers  and  men,  un- 
der the  command  of  Major  Clark,  from  Santa  Fe,  where  they 
had  been  sent  for,  after  the  battle  of  El  Paso  ; — numbered 
now,  in  all,  nine  hundred  and  twenty-four  men.  They  were 
drawn  up,  under  arms,  in  the  plaza  of  El  Paso,  and  the  de- 
liberation of  the  council  of  officers  was  made  known  to  them. 
They  were  reminded  of  their  already  arduous  campaign  ;  of 
the  contemplated  route,  and  its  length,  and  the  renewed  pri- 
vations and  hardships  to  which  they  would  be  exposed ; — of 
their  battle  already  fought ;  of  the  certainty  of  one  with  a 
much  larger  force,  if  the  advance  was  made  ;  of  the  strongly 
fortified  city  of  Chihuahua ;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  that  the 
route  to  return  was  open ;  and  then  told  that  the  decision  was, 
by  the  officers,  left  to  them. 

A  few  moment's  pause  was  made,  and  the  order  given  for 
every  one  who  was  willing  to  go,  to  step  to  the  front.  In  an 


THREE   DAYS   WITHOUT  WATER. 

instant,  with  a  quick,  free  step,  the  whole  moved  out ; — to  go 
was  the  unanimous,  unhesitating  resolution. — The  conduct 
of  this  detachment,  under  these  circumstances,  needs  no  com- 
ment. 

After  the  march  was  thus  decided  on,  nothing  remained  to 
do.  save  to  get  ready  for  it,  which  was  done  in  a  day  or  two ; 
and,  on  the  8th  day  of  February,  after  having  remained  in 
El  Paso  forty  days,  the  troops  and  artillery,  accompanied 
by  their  trains,  (and  three  hundred  and  fifteen  wagons  of 
traders,  who  had  thus  far  come  with  them  from  Santa  Fe, 
arriving  at  El  Paso  from  time  to  time,  during  the  stay  of  the 
regiment  there,  and  who  now  proceeded  on  towards  Chihua- 
hua.— Many  of  these  wagons  had  been  under  the  protection 
of  the  troops  from  Missouri,  halting  in  Santa  Fe  while  the 
troops  were  on  the  Indian  expedition,  and  afterwards  coming 
down  the  Rio  Grande), — crossed  the  river,  and  pursued  the 
march  to  the  southward,  traveling  along  the  river  forty  miles, 
over  a  sandy  road,  when  they  entered  a  Jornada,  as  the  Mex- 
ican term  is  for  a  long  extent  of  country  destitute  of  water. 
— This  was  mostly  through  a  winding  valley  among  the 
mountains  ; — there  was  plenty  of  grass,  but  no  water  for  its 
whole  extent,  over  seventy  miles.  This  was  accomplished 
in  three  days  and  nights  ; — the  suffering  the  last  day  was  in- 
tense among  men  and  animals  ;  many  of  the  latter  died. — 
The  road  through  this  was  good. 

At  the  evening  of  the  third  day,  they  arrived  at  ponds  of 
water ;  next  day  encamped  at  noon,  at  a  good  spring  on  the 
road , — a  warm,  clear  spring  was  on  a  hill  near,  and  still 
another  very  large  one  was  about  two  miles  from  camp, — 
plenty  of  fine  grass  around.  That  night  they  marched  thir- 
ty-seven miles,  through  the  next  Jornada,  and  encamped  in 
the  morning  on  a  lake  of  good  water. 

A  large  number  of  Apache  Indians,  foes  to  the  Mexicans, 
inhabit  the  mountains  around  here. — The  scouts,  continu- 
ally kept  out,  met  with  some  of  these  ;  but  the  Indians  were 
friendly,  and  gave  them  some  important  information  with 
regard  to  the  Mexican  force  ahead. — This  Jornada  now  being 
passed,  the  troops  and  train  got  on  better. 

The  distance  from  El  Paso  to  Chihuahua  is  above  three 


ANTICIPATED  BATTLE.  445 

hundred  miles.  Continuing  the  march  until  the  evening  of 
February  25th,  at  about  fifty  miles  distance  from  Chihuahua, 
the  force  halted  at  a  fine  spring ;  and  the  interpreter,  Kirker, 
a  man  well  acquainted  in  the  country,  with  his  party  of 
twelve  men,  who  had  been  employed  all  the  route  from  El 
Paso  as  scouts,  and  had  been  ahead  to  reconnoitre,  returned, 
and  reported  that  a  force  of  about  fifteen  hundred  men  were 
drawn  up  at  Encinillas,  the  country  seat  of  Don  Angel  Trias, 
at  that  time  governor  of  the  state  of  Chihuahua.  This  seat 
was  about  twenty-five  miles  ahead.  These  troops  appeared  to 
the  scouts,  as  though  prepared  to  make  a  defence ;  for,  as 
said  before,  they  were  perfectly  aware  of  the  strength  and 
condition  of  the  American  force,  and  had  received,  from  time 
to  time,  accurate  information  of  its  advance;  not  liking  to  try 
the  prowess  of  "los  Americanos,"  by  themselves, the  Mexicans 
retreated  the  next  morning ;  and  on  the  evening  of  the  26th 
the  troops  came  up  to  the  houses,  but  there  was  no  enemy. 
— The  next  day,  the  27th,  the  force  came  within  thirty  miles 
of  the  city,  to  Sanz.  The  scouts  coming  in,  had  reported  the 
enemy  in  great  numbers,  strongly  intrenched  on  a  hill  in  the 
valley  ahead. — Now  every  one  prepared  himself  for  the  bat- 
tle on  the  morrow ;  for,  from  this  encampment,  that  of  the 
enemy  had  to  be  reached  next,  as  there  was  no  water  be- 
tween.— On  the  morning  of  the  next  day,  February  28th, 
the  command  were  early  roused,  and  their  breakfasts  dis- 
posed of,  lines  formed,  and  all  on  the  move  by  sunrise.  The 
long  train  of  three  hundred  and  fifteen  traders'  wagons, 
beside  some  sixty,  belonging  to  the  detachment,  were  brought 
up  in  four  parallel  columns,  so  as  to  *be  more  easily  de- 
fended ;  they  could  well  travel  that  way,  for  the  road  lay 
down  a  pretty  valley,  unbroken,  and  they  could  occupy  a 
wide  space  ;  high  and  naked  mountains  were  on  either  side. 
— As  the  force  to  be  met  was  so  far  superior  in  number,  the 
dispositions  of  the  march  were  made  with  the  utmost  care. 
Two  hundred  of  the  men  rode  in  front  of  these  columns  of 
wagons ;  the  remainder,  with  the  artillery,  were  stationed 
between  these  columns,  which  hid  them  from  the  view  of  the 
enemy.  In  this  broad,  compact,  and  regular  body  of  wagons 
on  the  outside,  horsemen  in  the  front  and  rear,  horsemen  and 


446  PORT   SACRAMENTO. 

artillery  within  the  spaces  of  the  columns,  the  whole  a  sort 
of  moving  fortification,  fully  sufficient  to  protect  the  small 
body  of  men  from  the  charge  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  the 
whole  moved  down  the  valley ;  which  spread  out,  open, 
nearly  level,  with  no  trees  or  brush  to  obstruct  the  view. — A 
party,  commanded  by  Major  Clark,  of  the  artillery,  was  sent 
forward  to  reconnoitre  ;  when  within  three  miles,  the  ene- 
my's camp  was  plainly  in  view.  As  the  solid,  extended 
body  of  the  Americans,  of  the  four  parallel  columns  of 
wagons,  and  force  between,  and  ahead,  and  in  the  rear, 
slowly  and  steadily  advanced,  the  enemy  prepared  to  receive 
them. 

Across  the  valley,  which  so  far  had  been  level,  rose  in  front, 
a  crescent-shaped  hill,  with  the  hollow  side  to  the  north,  and 
flat  on  the  top,  with  the  eastern  part,  or  to  the  left,  as  the 
force  came  from  the  north,  higher  than  any  other.  This  hill 
was  about  sixty  feet  in  elevation  above  the  surrounding 
plain  :  and  one  point  of  it  was  close  to  the  mountains,  on 
the  left,  and  the  other  point  came  round  by  the  mountains  on 
the  right,  about  a  mile  further  up  the  valley  than  the  left  ex- 
tremity, but  as  said  before,  it  was  not  so  high. — The  road 
upon  which  the  Americans  were  passing,  proceeded  directly 
down  the  valley  to  the  foot  of  the  hill  in  front,  crossing  there 
a  little  stream  that  runs  around  the  hill  to  the  east ;  it  here 
divided,  one  fork  of  it  rising  the  hill,  passing  directly  over 
its  centre,  and  down  on  the  other  side  to  another  stream, 
which  it  crossed,  and  then  passed  directly  on  towards  Chi- 
huahua. At  this  last  stream  was  a  fort,  called  Sacramento. 
The  other  fork  of  the  road  wound  to  the  left,  round  the  base 
of  the  hill,  following  down  the  bed  of  the  little  stream,  and 
joining  the  first  on  the  other  side  of  the  eminence ;  but  this 
road  had  been  rendered  impassable,  by  strong  barricades 
across  the  bed  of  the  creek,  and  by  the  guns  of  the  forts 
above  it,  on  either  hand.  This  was  so  completely  arranged 
for  defence,  in  order  to  force  the  Americans,  as  they  advanc- 
ed, to  take  the  direct  road  over  the  hill ;  upon  the  top  of 
which,  on  a  wide  area,  they  had  constructed  their  main  forti- 
fications, bearing  upon  and  commanding  the  road;  though  to 
these  were  added  a  succession  of  others,  above  all ;  for  over 


MEXICAN  FORTIFICATIONS  447 

this  creek,  as  said  before,  was  a  mountain;  on  an  eminence 
of  this,  called  Ceno  Frijoles,  was  a  strong  fort,  the  fire  of 
which  bore  down  on  the  road  in  front,  and  completely  com- 
manded and  rendered  impracticable,  the  passage  along  the 
bed  of  the  creek.  This  fort  was  the  enemy's  right,  and  was 
protected  by  the  inaccessible  mountain  in  its  rear.  On  the 
west,  or  opposite  from  this,  the  long  part  of  the  crescent 
hill  came  farther  up  the  valley  ;  between  this  and  the  moun- 
tain on  that  side,  called  Cerro  Sacramento,  was  the  second, 
or  larger  stream  mentioned.  This  was  called  the  Rio  Sacra- 
mento, and  flowed  along  down  between  the  mountain  and 
the  western  horn  of  the  hill,  and  then  turned  round  the  base 
of  that  hill,  and  crossed  the  valley, running  to  the  eastward. 
On  this  mountain  of  Sacramento,  over  the  river,  a  large  fort, 
formed  the  enemy's  left ;  this  fort  was  elevated,  sweeping 
the  whole  hill  below,  and,  like  the  other,  it  could  not  be  ta- 
ken in  rear. 

As  the  road  over  the  hill  was  the  only  one  now  that  the 
Americans  could  pass,  the  enemy  had  built  two  forts,  one  on 
each  brow  of  this,  and  twenty-seven  redoubts,  at  little  dis- 
tance from  each  other,  in  a  parallel  line  to  the  road  as  it 
crossed  the  hill,  where  their  whole  force  could  be  under  cover. 
— Their  cavalry  was  drawn  up  before  the  redoubts,  and  faced 
the  road. 

Here,  then,  on  this  strong  position,  on  the  hill  and  entirely 
across  the  valley,  from  mountain  to  mountain,  with  strong 
forts  on  either  extremity,  forts  and  redoubts  all  along  these, 
the  enemy  was  drawn  up,  consisting  of  twelve  hundred 
cavalry,  from  Durango,  Chihuahua,  and  Vera  Cruz  ;  twelve 
hundred  infantry,  from  Chihuahua,  and  three  hundred  artil- 
lery, with  ten  pieces  of  brass  cannon  and  three  carriages, 
each  mounting  three  culverins,  (a  small  long  gun).  This 
force  of  twenty-seven  hundred  men  was  well  armed,  the 
cavalry  with  lances,  escopetas,  and  sabres,  the  infantry  with 
muskets  and  bayonets,  and  the  artillery  with  the  same  and 
swords. — Besides  this  array,  there  were  fourteen  hundred  and 
twenty  irregular  troops,  armed  with  indifferent  guns,  lassos, 
lances,  and  long  cane  knives. — These  were  protected  by  the 
regulars  and  redoubts  : — in  all,  a  force  of  four  thousand  one 


BATTLE  OF  CERRO  SACRAMENTO. 

hundred  and  twenty  men.  These  were  under  the  command 
of  Gen.  Jose  A.  Heredia,  assisted  by  Gen.  Garcia  Conde, 
who  had  planned  the  intrenchments,  and  who  commanded 
the  cavalry ;  Gov.  Trias,  and  colonels  and  other  officers  in 
proportion  to  the  force. 

Against  this  formidable  array  on  the  heights,  were  in  the 
plain  below  a  little  force  of  nine  hundred  and  twenty-four 
men,  with  six  pieces  of  artillery,  and  encumbered  with  a 
heavy  wagon  train.  But  every  man  of  this  force  was  a 
host  in  himself; — cut  off  from  all  resource  or  retreat,  with  a 
cruel  and  notoriously  perfidious  enemy  before  them,  the  al- 
ternative was  literally  victory  or  death. 

This  force  advanced  in  full  view  of  the  enemy,  until  within 
fifteen  hundred  yards  of  them,  when,  pushing  the  two  com- 
panies of  the  advance  ahead,  the  column  of  wagons  and 
troops  turned  from  the  road  to  the  right,  and  soon  making  a 
passage  over  the  first  stream,  called  the  Arroyo  Seco,  the 
battle  commenced  about  three,  P.  M. 

The  following  graphic  account  in  relation  to  it  is  extract- 
ed from  the  report  of  Major  Clark,  commanding  battalion  of 
artillery,  to  Col.  Doniphan  : 

"  Further  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  the  battalion  of 
artillery  under  my  command,  composed  of  one  hundred  and 
ten  men  and  seven  officers,  with  a  battery  of  six  pieces  of 
artillery,  were,  on  the  morning  of  the  battle,  directed  to  form 
under  the  direction  of  Capt.  Weightman,  between  the  two 
columns  of  merchant  and  provision  wagons,  being  thus 
masked  from  the  view  of  the  enemy.  In  this  column  my 
troops  continued  the  march  to  within  about  fifteen  hundred 
yards  of  the  enemy's  most  advanced  position ;  our  direction 
was  then  changed  to  the  right,  and  the  column  having  cross- 
ed the  Arroyo  Seco,  within  reach  of  the  enemy's  fire,  rapidly 
advanced  towards  the  table  land  between  the  Seco  and  Sac- 
ramento. At  this  time  the  enemy  was  perceived  advancing 
from  his  intrenchments,  to  prevent  our  seizing  upon  those 
heights ;  but,  by  a  rapid  movement  of  the  battery,  it  was 
quickly  drawn  from  its  mask,  and  seizing  upon  a  favorable 
position,  protected  in  the  rear,  by  a  marsh,  from  the  attack 
of  a  large  body  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  ascertained  to  be 


MAJOR  CLARK'S  ARTILLERY.  449 

hanging  on  our  rear,  it  was  formed,  and  at  once  opened  fire 
upon  the  enemy's  cavalry,  rapidly  advancing  upon  us.  At 
this  moment,  his  charging  column  was  about  nine  hundred 
yards  distant,  and  the  effect  of  our  strap-shot  and  shells  was 
such  as  to  break  his  ranks  and  throw  his  cavalry  into  confu- 
sion. The  enemy  now  rapidly  deployed  into  line,  bringing 
up  his  artillery  from  the  intrenchments.  During  this  time 
the  line  was  preparing  for  a  charge,  my  artillery  advancing 
by  hand  and  firing.  The  enemy  now  opened  a  heavy  fire  of 
cannon  upon  our  line,  mainly  directed  upon  the  battery,  but 
with  little  effect. 

"  Lieut.  Dorn  had  his  horse  shot  from  under  him  by  a  nine- 
pound  ball  at  this  stage  of  the  action,  and  several  mules  and 
oxen,  in  the  merchant  wagons  in  our  rear,  were  wounded 
and  killed,  which,  however,  was  the  only  damage  done.  The 
fire  of  our  cannon  at  this  time  had  such  good  effect  as  to  dis- 
mount one  of  the  enemy's  pieces,  and  completely  to  disperse 
his  cavalry  and  drive  him  from  his  position,  forcing  him 
again  to  retire  behind  his  intrenchments.  For  a  short  time, 
the  firing  on  either  side  now  ceased,  and  the  enemy  appeared 
to  be  moving  his  cannon  and  wounded,  whilst  our  line  pre- 
pared to  change  our  position  more  towards  the  right,  for  the 
purpose  of  occupying  a  more  advantageous  ground.  Our 
object  being  soon  gained,  the  order  to  advance  was  given, 
and  immediately  after  I  was  directed  to  send  the  section  of 
howitzers  to  support  a  charge  upon  the  enemy's  left.  I  im- 
mediately ordered  Capt.  R.  F.  Weightman  to  detach  the  sec- 
tion composed  of  two  twelve-pound  mountain  howitzers, 
mounted  on  carriages  constructed  especially  for  field  prairie 
service,  and  drawn  by  two  horses  each — these  were  com- 
manded by  Lieut.  E.  F.  Chouteau  and  F.  D.  Evans,  and 
manned  by  some  twenty  men,  whose  conduct  in  this  action 
cannot  be  too  much  commended. 

"Capt.  Weightman  charged  at  full  gallop  upon  the  ene- 
my's left,  preceded  by  Capt.  Reid  and  his  company  of  horse, 
and  after  crossing  a  ravine  some  hundred  and  fifty  yards 
from  the  enemy,  he  unlimbered  the  guns  within  fifty  yards 
of  the  intrenchments,  and  opened  a  destructive  fire  of 
cannister  into  his  ranks,  which  was  warmly  returned,  but 
29 


450  DEFEAT  OF   THE  MEXICANS. 

without  effect.  Capt.  Weightman  again  advanced  upon  the 
entrenchment,  passing  through  it  in  the  face  of  the  enemy, 
and  within  a  few  feet  of  the  ditches  ;  and  in  the  midst  of  a 
cross-fire  from  three  directions,  again  opened  his  fire  to  the 
right  and  left,  with  such  effect  that,  with  the  formidable 
charge  of  the  cavalry  and  dismounted  men  of  your  own  regi- 
ment, and  Lieut.-col.  Mitchell's  escort,  the  enemy  were  dri- 
ven from  the  breast-works  on  our  right  in  great  confusion. 

"At  this  time,  under  the  heavy  cross-fire  from  the  battery 
upon  Cerro  Sacramento,  I  was  advancing  with  our  batter}'  of 
four  six-pounders,  under  lieutenants  Dorn,  Kribben  and  La- 
beaume,  upon  the  enemy's  right,  supported  by  Maj.  Gilpin  on 
the  left,  and  the  wagon  train,  escorted  by  two  companies  of 
infantry,  under  Captain  E.  J.  Glasgow  and  Skillman,  in  the 
rear,  when  Maj.  Gilpin  charged  upon  the  enemy's  centre, 
and  forced  him  from  his  entrenchments,  under  a  heavy  fire 
of  artillery  and  small  arms  ;  at  the  same  time,  the  fire  of 
our  battery  was  opened  upon  the  enemy's  extreme  right, 
from  which  a  continued  fire  had  been  kept  up  upon  our  line 
and  the  wagon  train.  Two  of  the  enemy's  guns  were  now 
soon  dismounted  on  their  right,  that  battery  silenced,  and 
the  enemy  dislodged  from  the  redoubt  on  Cerro  Frijoles. 

"  Perceiving  a  body  of  lancers  forming,  for  the  purpose  of 
out-flanking  our  left  and  attacking  the  merchants'  wagon 
train  under  Capt.  Glasgow,  I  again  opened  upon  them  a  very 
destructive  fire  of  grape  and  spherical  case  shot,  which  soon 
cleared  the  left  of  our  line ;  the  enemy  vacating  his  en- 
trenchments and  deserting  his  guns,  was  hotly  pursued  to- 
wards the  mountains  beyond  Cerro  Frijoles,  and  down  the 
Arroyo  Seco  to  Sacramento,  by  both  wings  of  the  army,  un- 
der Lieut.-col.  Mitchell,  Lieut.-col.  Jackson,  and  Maj.  Gilpin, 
and  by  Capt.  Weightman,  with  the  sections  of  howitzers. — 
During  this  pursuit,  my  officers  repeatedly  opened  their  fires 
upon  the  retreating  enemy,  with  great  effect.  To  cover  this 
flight  of  the  enemy's  forces  from  the  entrenched  camp, 
the  heaviest  of  his  cannon  had  been  taken  from  the  en- 
trenchments to  Cerro  Sacramento,  and  a  heavy  fire  opened 
upon  our  pursuing  forces  and  the  wagons  following  in  the 
rear.  To  silence  this  battery,  I  had  the  honor  to  anticipate 


SKILL   OF  AMERICAN   ARTILLERYMEN.  451 

your  order  to  that  effect,  by  at  once  occupying  the  nearest 
of  the  enemy's  entrenchments,  twelve  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  yards  distant ;  and  notwithstanding  the  elevated  posi- 
tion of  the  Mexican  battery,  giving  him  a  ploughing  fire  into 
my  entrenchments,  which  was  not  defilated,  and  the  greater 
range  of  his  long  nine- pounders,  the  first  fire  of  our  guns 
dismounted  one  of  his  larger  pieces,  and  the  fire  was  kept 
up  with  such  briskness  and  precision  of  aim,  that  this  bat- 
tery was  soon  silenced,  and  the  enemy  seen  precipitately  re- 
treating. The  fire  was  then  continued  upon  the  rancho 
Sacramento,  and  the  enemy's  ammunition  and  baggage 
train,  retreating  upon  the  road  to  Chihuahua. — By  this  fire, 
the  house  and  several  wagons  were  rendered  untenable  and 
useless. 

"  By  this  time,  Lieut.-col.  Mitchell  had  scaled  the  hill,  fol- 
lowed by  the  section  of  howitzers  under  Capt.  Weigh tman, 
and  the  last  position  of  the  Mexican  forces  taken  possession 
of  by  our  troops,  thus  leaving  the  American  forces  master 
of  the  field.  Having  silenced  the  fire  from  Cerro  Sacra- 
mento, our  battery  was  removed  into  the  plain  at  the  ran- 
cho, where  we  gained  the  road,  and  were  in  pursuit  of  the 
enemy  when  I  received  your  order  to  return  and  encamp 
within  the  enemy's  entrenchments  for  the  night. 

"  From  the  time  of  first  opening  my  fire  upon  the  Mexican 
cavalry,  to  the  cessation  of  the  firing  upon  the  rancho  and 
battery  of  Sacramento,  was  about  three  hours  ;  and,  during 
the  whole  time  of  the  action,  I  take  the  utmost  pleasure  in 
stating  that  every  officer  and  man  of  my  command  did  his 
duty  with  cheerfulness,  coolness,  and  precision,  which  is  suf- 
ficiently shown  by  the  admirable  effect  produced  by  their 
fire,  the  great  accuracy  of  their  aim,  their  expedition  and 
ingenuity  in  supplying  deficiencies  in  the  field  during  the  ac- 
tion, and  the  prompt  management  of  the  pieces,  rendered 
still  more  remarkable  from  the  fact  that  I  had,  during  the 
fight,  less  than  two-thirds  the  number  of  cannoneers  gener- 
ally required  for  the  service  of  light  artillery,  and  but  four 
of  the  twelve  artillery  carriages  belonging  to  my  battery  har- 
nessed with  horses,  the  remaining  four  carriages  being  har- 
nessed to  mules  of  the  country." 


452  KILLED  AND   WOUNDED  MEXICANS. 

So  ended  the  battle  of  Sacramento. — The  field  was  strewed 
with  the  dead  and  dying.  The  enemy  lost  over  three  hun- 
dred killed,  four  hundred  and  odd  wounded,  seventy  prisoners, 
all  their  artillery,  ammunition,  baggage  wagons  and  provis- 
ions, some  six  thousand  dollars,  and  an  immense  number  of 
horses,  mules,  cattle  and  sheep  in  the  plain  below.  It  was 
a  complete  victory  and  dispersion  ;  nothing  was  saved  by 
the  survivors  of  the  enemy,  save  the  trifle  of  eight  rounds  of 
artillery  ammunition  that  was  secreted  by  a  servant  in  the 
mountains.*  Of  the  American  force,  strange  as  it  may  ap- 
pear, exposed  so  long  to  a  fire  of  artillery  and  small  arms, 
only  one  was  killed,  three  mortally  wounded,  and  seven 
others  more  slightly. 

The  victorious  army  encamped  on  the  battle-ground  that 
night ;  and,  having  fought  hard,  slept  well. — Another  battle 
was  expected  at  the  city,  on  the  following  day.  On  that 
morning,  a  detachment,  under  Lieut. -col.  Mitchell,  commen- 
ced their  march ;  but.  as  they  approached  the  city,  they  were 
met  by  some  American  citizens,  who  had  been  residing  there, 
and  who,  having  been  for  some  time  in  prison,  were  released 
this  morning.  They  informed  Col.  Doniphan,  that  no  resist- 
ance would  be  made  in  the  city  ;  that  all  there  was  conster- 
nation and  despair  ; — that  the  most  exaggerated  accounts  of 
the  prowess  of  the  Americans  had  been  circulated  by  the 
routed  army,  in  their  flight  through,  the  night  previous. — 
The  detachment  having  marched  in  without  opposition,  Col. 
Doniphan,  on  the  next  day,  followed  ;  took  possession  of  the 
city  in  the  name  of  the  American  government,  and  occupied 
the  buildings  around  the  plaza  as  the  barracks  for  the  troops, 
while  he  took  his  residence  in  the  palace  of  Gov.  Trias  ;  from 
the  flag-staff  of  which,  the  American  flag  waved  out  over  the 
large  city  of  Chihuahua. — Here  were  found  abundance  of 
supplies.  The  sheep  and  cattle  they  had  taken,  furnished 
meat  in  abundance.  Many  of  these  were  exchanged  with 
the  citizens,  for  fine,  large,  and  fat  hogs.  Vegetables  were 
plentiful.  A  good  flour  mill  supplied  them  with  that  article  ; 
and,  in  everything,  the  army  lived  well.  A  full  supply  of  fine 

•  See  dispatch  of  Gen.  Heredia,  March  2d,  1847. 


COL.  DONIPHAN   IN   CHIHUAHUA.  453 

water  was  brought  by  the  aqueduct  into  the  city,  and  flowed 
from  the  fountains  in  the  squares. 

Having  now  established  himself  in  Chihuahua,  and  having 
heard  that  generals  Taylor  and  Scott  were  surrounded  by  the 
powerful  army  of  Santa  Anna,  and  being  anxious,  in  such  a 
case,  to  assist  them,  by  marching  to  their  relief,  Col.  Doni- 
phan  soon  sent  Collins,  one  of  the  interpreters  and  scouts, 
with  an  escort  of  thirteen  men,  through  to  Gen.  Wool,  at 
Saltillo,  to  report  his  progress,  and  obtain  orders.  This  small 
party  proceeded  through  the  long  route  of  about  seven  hun- 
dred miles,  without  molestation,  save  at  the  town  of  San  Se- 
bastian, one  hundred  and  twenty  leagues  from  Chihuahua, 
where  they  stopped  at  evening.  When  about  to  go,  the  alcalde 
of  the  place  asked  Collins  to  step  into  the  house  again,  which 
he  did ;  and  he  then  demanded  of  him,  in  a  threatening  man- 
ner, if  he  had  a  passport  to  travel  through  the  state.  Collins 
— who  had  been  an  old  trader  among  these  people,  spoke 
their  language  fluently,  and  understood  their  customs — told 
him  that  he  had  a  passport,  and  led  him  out  to  see  it.  At 
the  door,  he  pointed  to  his  thirteen  men,  dressed  in  skins, 
with  long  beards,  that  the  razor  had  not  touched  for  months, 
and  remarked  to  the  Mexican  that  those  were  his  passports, 
and  told  him  how  many  shots  they  had  each ;  every  one  of 
this  party  having,  in  addition  to  his  gun,  holster  pistols,  sword, 
and  revolving  pistols ; — and  then,  telling  the  alcalde  that  it 
would  be  dangerous  work  for  any  Mexicans  to  interrupt  them, 
mounted  his  horse,  and  all  proceeded. — The  next  night  they 
encamped  ;  and,  while  getting  their  supper,  were  overtaken 
and  surrounded  by  between  one  and  two  hundred  Mexi- 
cans, who  had  collected  at  San  Sebastian,  and  pursued  after 
them.  .The  Mexicans  remained  at  a  distance,  and  not  a  shot 
was  fired. — The  party  finished  their  suppers  ;  and,  every 
man  leading  his  horse,  walked  on,  until  they  gained  the  base 
of  a  mountain. — The  Mexicans,  remembering  the  field  of  Sa- 
cramento, fell  back  from  before  them ;  and,  the  party  then 
mounted,  and  rode  all  night. — They  understood,  on  their  re- 
turn, that  this  force  was  waiting  for  the  arrival  of  a  larger 
one  coming,  before  they  would  attack  ;  but,  when  that  ar- 
rived, the  party  was  gone. — The  Mexicans  prepared  to  attack 


454  TREATY  OF   CHIHUAHUA. 

them  on  their  return,  but  this  was  frustrated  by  their  addi 
tional  strength. 

In  less  than  fifteen  days  they  reached  Saltillo,  and  report- 
ed themselves  to  Gen.  Wool.  That  general  was  astonished 
beyond  measure,  when  he  heard,  for  the  first  time,  of  the  bat- 
tles of  Brazito  and  of  Sacramento :  of  fourteen  hundred  men, 
with  a  piece  of  artillery,  discomfited  by  a  little  over  five  hun- 
dred, taken  unawares  ;  and  of  more  than  four  thousand, 
strongly  entrenched,  with  a  train  of  artillery  of  ten  pieces, 
defeated  and  totally  routed,  with  great  loss  of  men  and  camp 
equipage,  by  this  same  body,  then  a  little  more  than  nine 
hundred  strong ; — of  the  great  length  of  the  march  they  had 
made,  through  a  wilderness  of  mountain  and  prairie,  without 
supplies  of  any  kind ;  and,  more  than  all,  to  find  that  this 
force — of  which  these  fourteen  hardy,  rough  looking  men,  were 
a  sample — were  in  quiet  possession  of  the  large  and  fine  city 
of  Chihuahua,  for  the  capture  of  which,  originally,  his  whole 
command,  of  nearly  three  thousand  five  hundred  men,  with 
abundance  of  supplies,  had  been  fitted  out ;  and  the  force, 
now  at  six  hundred  miles  distance,  understanding  that  Tay- 
lor and  himself  were  surrounded,  now  sent  to  him,  offering 
him  assistance  ; — the  whole  appeared  more  like  a  fable  of 
olden  time,  than  like  the  reality  of  modern  warfare. — After 
reading  the  dispatches,  he  again  looked  at  the  men,  in  their 
rough  appearance,  and  dress  of  skins,  and  asked,  still  half- 
seriously,  who  they  were  ?  where  they  came  from  ?  and  un- 
der the  flag  of  what  nation  were  they  fighting?  &c.,  &c.* — 
We  will  leave  this  force  in  possession  of  the  city  of  Chihua- 
hua, engaged,  about  this  time,  in  making  a  treaty  with  the 
state  authorities  ;  the  result  of  which  was,  an  agreement  on 
the  part  of  those  authorities  to  abstain,  hereafter,  from  all 
participation  in  the  future  actions  of  the  war;  and  to  allow 
the  entrance  of  American  traders  into  their  state,  on  pay- 
ment of  the  customary  duties,  and  to  protect  them  in  dispos- 

*  To  those  readers  who  would  wish  a  more  extended  notice  of  all  the  operations 
of  this  gallant  regiment,  as  well  as  of  those  of  Gen.  Kearney,  in  California,  and  Col. 
Price,  in  Santa  Fe,  the  author  would  recommend  "  Col.  Doniphan's  Expedition,"  a 
new  and  interesting  work  by  J.  T.  Hreass,  of  the  first  Missouri  regiment,  published 
iy  J.  A.  &  U.  P.  James,  Cincinnati. 


GENERAL   SCOTT'S   ORDERS.  455 

ing  of  their  goods ; — and,  on  his  part.  Col.  Doniphan,  in  con- 
sideration of  those  agreements,  promised  to  withdraw  his 
troops  from  the  city.  (It  is  but  justice  to  the  authorities  of 
Chihuahua  to  state,  that  they  have  faithfully  fulfilled  this 
treaty). — We  will  now  turn  our  attention  to  the  army  of  Gen. 
Taylor,  and  its  operations  during  this  eventful  month  of  Feb- 
ruary. 

When  Gen.  Scott  arrived  at  the  Rio  Grande,  on  the  first 
of  January,  as  has  been  before  mentioned,  he  instantly  sent 
his  dispatches  to  Gen.  Taylor  (then  on  his  way  to  Victoria), 
directing  him  to  return  to  Monterey,  with  a  small  portion  of 
the  troops  he  had,  and  ordered  the  main  body,  under  Major 
Gen.  Patterson,  brigadier-generals  Twiggs,  Pillow,  and  Quit- 
man,  to  go  on  to  Tampico.  The  march  of  these  has  been 
described. 

He  also  sent  dispatches  to  Gen.  Worth,  at  Saltillo,  who 
there  had  just  been  reinforced  by  the  army  of  Gen.  Wool,  to 
leave  that  post  in  the  command  of  the  latter  general,  and, 
with  his  whole  division  of  regulars,  to  march  to  the  Rio 
Grande,  and  thence  transport  his  troops  to  Matamoras,  pre- 
paratory to  embarking  them  for  Vera  Cruz,  in  conjunction 
\vith  the  large  force  that  should  embark  for  the  same  point, 
from  Tampico,  and  those  of  the  new  levy  of  nine  regiments, 
that  were  arriving  from  the  United  States,  and  collecting  at 
Lobos  Island,  south  of  Tampico.  Dispatches  were  also  sent 
to  Gen.  Butler,  commanding  the  reserve  through  the  valley 
of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  whose  head-quarters  were  at  Mon- 
terey, informing  him  of  the  arrangements. 

These  dispatches  to  each,  altered  all  the  arrangements 
previously  made.  Gen.  Patterson  marched  to  Tampico  ; — 
Gen.  Taylor  returned  to  Monterey ; — Gen.  Worth,  with  his 
division,  left  Gen.  Wool  in  command  of  Saltillo,  and  march- 
ed with  celerity  towards  the  sea-coast. 

There  had  been  indications,  for  some  time  before  this,  of 
an  attack,  by  Santa  Anna,  upon  the  advanced  position  of 
Saltillo,  preparatory  to  a  grand  movement,  which  that  gen- 
eral was  contemplating,  the  object  of  which  was,  with  his 
powerful  army,  to  overrun  and  reconquer  the  whole  valley 
of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  annihilate  our  small  force  there. — 


456  AMERICANS   SURPRISED  AT   ENCARNACION. 

One  alarm  had  already  been  given,  of  his  approach,  and 
Gen.  Taylor  had  begun  his  march,  to  assist  Worth,  when  it 
was  rendered  unnecessary,  by  Gen.  Wool's  army  coming  in 
from  Parras. — Now,  Gen.  Worth  left,  in  obedience  to  the 
command  of  Gen.  Scott. — Gen.  Wool's  force  not  being 
strong  enough,  in  case  of  an  attack,  Gen.  Butler,  from  Mon- 
terey, dispatched,  to  reinforce  him,  the  Kentucky  regiment 
of  cavalry,  Col.  Marshall,  the  second  Kentucky  infantry,  Col. 
McKee,  the  second  Indiana  regiment,  Col.  Bowles,  the  third 
Indiana  regiment,  Col.  Lane,  and  Webster's  artillery,  all 
under  Brig.  Gen.  Lane. 

In  the  mean  time,  reports  of  the  advance  of  the  enemy 
continually  increased ;  and  were  at  last  made  certain. — 
Scouts  had  been,  by  Gen.  Wool,  sent  out  in  every  direction  ; 
but  all  had  been  uncertain,  until  on  the  night  of  the  22d  of 
January,  a  combined  reconnoitering  party,  of  forty  men  and 
officers,  of  the  Arkansas  cavalry,  under  Major  Borland,  and 
thirty-seven  of  the  Kentucky  cavalry,  under  Major  Gaines, 
were  surrounded,  and  subsequently  captured  by  three  thou- 
sand Mexican  cavalry,  under  Gen.  Minon,  at  the  hacienda  of 
Encarnacion,  sixty  miles  south  of  Saltillo,  on  the  road  to  San 
Louis  Potosi  (see  map}. — This  general  had  made  a  forced 
march  of  nearly  one  hundred  miles,  to  surprise  them;  which 
he  did,  aided  by  the  darkness  and  storm  of  the  nighl. — The 
whole  command  had  just  returned  from  a  position  thirty 
miles  nearer  Gen.  Minon's  position,  and  ninety  from  Sal- 
tillo, and  had  not  been  able  to  find  a  trace  of  the  enemy; 
and  were  now  on  their  return  march  to  camp,  and  in  the 
evening,  had  halted  for  the  night  at  the  hacienda.  Although 
not  the  slightest  probability  of  an  attack  was  apprehended, 
yet  the  customary  vigilance  was  pursued,  and  their  sentinels 
were  regularly  placed. — Gen.  Minon,  who  was  an  able  offi- 
cer, had  been  in  their  rear  on  their  return  march,  all  day, 
unknown  to  them ;  and  at  a  late  hour  coming  up,  he 
placed  his  army  around  the  hacienda,  at  the  distance  of 
about  half  a  mile,  in  each  direction,  and  wholly  without  the 
hearing  of  the  sentinels,  in  the  furious  wind  and  cloudy  dark- 
ness ;  and  in  this  position  quietly  awaited  the  morning, 
which,  by  its  first  dawn,  should  reveal  to  the  Americans 


SURRENDER  OF  MAJOR  GAINES.  457 

their  situation. — These  were,  as  may  well  be  imagined,  as- 
tonished at  their  position  ;  surrounded  by  such  an  enemy, 
which  had  appeared  so  suddenly ;  but  they  were  by  no 
means  intimidated. — The  swelling,  exulting  music  of  the 
Mexican  forces,  who,  with  their  glistening  arms,  belted  them 
in  as  it  were,  rose  clearly,  on  every  side  of  them ;  and  was 
answered  immediately,  by  the  unwavering  notes  of  defiance 
from  the  single  bugle  of  the  undaunted  American  cavalry. 
Though  small  in  force,  and  outnumbered,  forty  to  one,  these 
Kentuckian  and  Arkansas  horsemen  were  eager  for  the 
strife;  and  with  the  utmost  alacrity  all  belted  on  their  arms, 
turned  to  their  noble  steeds,  and  were  ready  for  the  con- 
flict. Their  gallant  commander  read  in  the  face  of  every 
man,  the  determination  of  victory  or  death. — But  Gen.  Minon 
was  too  able  an  officer  to  expose  his  men  to  the  sure  aim 
and  strong  arms  of  these  cool-hearted  and  determined  men, 
whose  spirit  of  resistance  was  borne  to  his  ears  by  the 
tones  of  their  bugle,  while  already  he  had  them  in  his  power ; 
and  so,  while  his  heavy  body  of  lancers,  in  solid  and  glit- 
tering array,  slowly  approached  the  hacienda  on  one  side, 
a  bearer  of  a  white  flag  came  bounding  from  his  lines 
on  the  other,  stating  to  the  Americans  the  number  of 
their  force,  the  uselessness  of  resistance,  and  then  offering 
honorable  terms  of  surrender. — The  number  of  the  Mexicans 
looked  large,  but  the  American  officers  did  not  believe  the 
Mexican  report,  and  all  the  soldiers  wished  to  fight  it  out. — 
Gen.  Minon  sent  in  a  Mexican  officer  of  the  same  rank,  as 
a  hostage,  while  Major  Gaines  went  out  into  the  Mexican 
army,  and  satisfied  himself  of  their  force ;  then  returned, 
and  as  it  was  but  throwing  away  every  life  to  resist,  they 
surrendered,  upon  condition  of  being  treated  as  prisoners  of 
war;  and  they  were  marched  immediately  to  the  southward. 
About  the  same  time,  another  scouting  party  of  the  Ken- 
tucky cavalry,  of  seventeen  men,  under  Capt.  Heady,  were 
surrounded  and  taken. 

Thus  were  nearly  a  hundred  men  lost;  but  though  they 
were  captured,  their  object  was  gained,  and  the  result  was, 
to  the  American  army,  of  the  highest  importance  and  advan- 
tage ;  for  by  the  escape  of  Capt.  Henrie,  one  of  the  prison- 


458  PREPARATIONS  FOR  BATTLE. 

ers,  and  his  return,  the  force  of  the  enemy,  and  the  cer- 
tainty of  his  advance,  became  at  once  known  to  Gen. 
Wool ;  who  instantly  sent  a  dispatch  to  Gen.  Taylor,  which 
reached  him  just  after  he  had  arrived  at  Monterey  from  Vic- 
toria. He  immediately,  with  his  column  that  had  returned 
from  Victoria  with  him  (Col.  Davis'  Mississippians,  Capt. 
Bragg's  artillery,  and  Col.  May's  dragoons),  marched  on  to 
Saltillo,  and  proceeding  by  the  hacienda  of  Buena  Vista,  en- 
camped the  whole  army,  save  a  garrison  for  Saltillo,  at  the 
base  of  the  Agua  Nueva  mountain,  twenty  miles  from  the 
latter  place,  and  on  the  road  that  Santa  Anna's  army  would 
be  obliged  to  come.  Here  he  waited  to  give  that  general 
battle,  for  his  approach  was  now  sure. — The  time,  to  the 
21st  of  February,  was  devoted  to  preparing  for  the  approach- 
ing combat ;  the  passes  in  the  neighboring  mountains  were 
all  examined,  to  secure  the  advantages  for  a  battle-ground. 
The  position  at  Buena  Vista,  twelve  miles  back  towards  Sal- 
tillo, which  had  been  selected  by  Gen.  Wool,  was  examined 
by  the  engineers,  and  found  to  be  the  best  calculated  to  with- 
stand the  attacks  of  a  powerful  force  ;  and  to  this,  on  the 
21st  of  February,  as  the  scouts  gave  notice  that  the  enemy 
was  at  hand,  the  army  fell  back;  arrived  there  in  the  even- 
ing, and  immediately  commenced  the  preparations  for  the 
battle. 

Let  us  turn  our  attention  to  the  previous  movements  of 
the  enemy ;  for,  as  soon  as  Santa  Anna  knew  (by  the  recep- 
tion of  the  dispatch  from  Gen.  Scott  to  Gen.  Taylor,  taken  at 
Villa  Grande,  by  the  death  of  Lieut.  Ritchie,)  of  the  dispo- 
sition of  the  American  forces,  and  saw  that  the  valley  of 
the  Rio  Grande  was  defended  but  by  a  small  number,  he 
put  his  army  in  motion  for  the  north,  towards  Saltillo,  after 
sending  a  strong  brigade  of  cavalry,  under  Gen.  Urrea, 
across  the  mountains  from  San  Luis,  by  Tula,  to  proceed 
through  Victoria,  Villa  Grande  and  Linares,  to  the  vicinity 
of  Monterey,  and  thus  be  in  Gen.  Taylors  rear,  to  cut  to 
pieces  any  body  of  American  force  that  might  escape  the  de- 
feat which  he  was  confident,  from  his  superior  forces,  of  in- 
flicting on  "  old  Zack."  Gen.  Urrea  pursued  his  march  on 
the  eastern  side  of  the  mountains,  and  arrived  near  Monterey 


BATTLE  OF  BUENA  VISTA.  459 

at  the  same  time  that  Santa  Anna  came  on  the  west  of  the 
mountains,  near  Saltillo. 

On  the  20th  of  February,  Santa  Anna  arrived  at  the  haci- 
enda of  Encarnacion,  thirty  miles  from  Agua  Nueva.  There 
he  sent  Gen.  Mifion,  with  twelve  hundred  cavalry,  (so  stated 
by  Santa  Anna  ;  by  Gen.  Taylor  computed  to  be  two  thou- 
sand), round  the  mountains  to  the  right,  with  instructions  to 
get  on  the  rear  of  Gen.  Taylor,  and  take  possession  of  the 
hacienda  of  Buena  Vista  ;  and  as  he  (Santa  Anna)  drove  the 
Americans  through  the  pass,  to  fall  upon  them. — Gen.  MiHon 
set  out  on  this  expedition,  and  on  the  next  day  Santa  Anna' a 
force  moved  on,  and  encamped  on  a  plain  called  De  la  Guer- 
ra,  nine  miles  from  Agua  Nueva. 

At  daylight  on  the  22d  of  February,  his  army  was  again 
in  motion,  and  moved  on  to  force  the  pass  of  Agua  Nueva ; 
but,  to  his  astonishment,  no  one  was  found  there :  for  the 
American  army  had  fallen  back  to  the  hacienda  of  Buena 
Vista  the  preceding  day,  save  the  Arkansas  cavalry,  Col. 
Yell,  which  remained  at  the  old  camp  to  observe  the  move- 
ments of  the  enemy ;  and  a  few  miles  farther,  the  second 
Kentucky,  Col.  McKee,  with  a  section  of  artillery,  halted  at 
the  rancho  of  Encantada,  to  support  Col.  Yell,  should  he  be 
attacked ;  and  still  farther  back,  on  the  battle  ground  of  the 
next  day,  the  first  Illinoisans,  Col.  Hardin,  to  support  them 
both,  if  driven  in. 

On  that  day,  too,  the  greatest  activity  had  been  used  in 
removing  all  the  stores,  provisions,  &c.,  from  Agua  Nueva ; 
in  the  night,  all  having  been  done,  Col.  Yell's  regiment,  (his 
pickets  having  been  driven  in  by  the  Mexican  army),  and 
Col.  McKee's  came  in,  accompanied  by  the  Kentucky  cavalry, 
Col.  Marshall,  and  the  first  dragoons,  who  had  been  sent  out  to 
support  them. — Gen.  Taylor,  in  the  meantime,  accompanied 
by  the  Mississippi  regiment,  Col.  Davis,  Bragg's  and  Sher- 
man's batteries  of  artillery,  and  Col.  May's  dragoons,  pro- 
ceeded back  to  Saltillo,  to  make  preparations  for  the  defence 
of  the  city  against  an  attack  of  Gen.  Minon,  and  with  the 
same  force  was  returning,  the  next  morning,  to  Buena  Vista, 
when  the  enemy  appeared  in  front  at  ten,  A.  M. — A  view  of 
the  battle  ground  may  be  seen  opposite  next  page. 


460  EXPLANATION  OF  PICTURE  OF  BUENA  VISTA. 

The  view*  is  there  taken  from  the  north-east  part  of  the 
ground,  and  of  course  fronts  to  the  south-west.  Although, 
in  a  view,  the  position  of  the  various  columns  cannot  be  so 
particularly  laid  down  as  on  a  plan,  yet,  reader,  you  can  ob- 
tain a  clearer  idea  of  their  movements.  You  are,  as  it  were, 
looking  on  the  ground  before  you ; — you  see  the  pass,  the 
hacienda,  the  mountains,  and  the  elevated  plain,  or  plateau. 
upon  which  so  many  brave  men  fell.  In  front,  you  see  the 
camp  of  Gen.  Wool,  as  it  was  in  a  few  days  after  the  battle. 
On  the  left,  rises  the  high,  rugged  mountain,  on  which  the 
battle  commenced  on  the  evening  of  the  22d,  and  re-com- 
menced on  the  morning  of  the  23d.  The  position  of  our 
light  troops  there  engaged  is  designated  by  H  H  H. — The 
attacking  column  of  the  Mexicans  is  shown  by  c  c  c  c. 

Across  the  plain,  not  seen  in  the  picture,  are  several  deep 
ravines,  running  from  the  mountain  near  H  G,  out  towards 
the  hacienda.  From  F  to  C  is  seen  the  elevated  top  of  the 
plateau,  so  often  mentioned  in  the  battle.  Beyond  this,  about 
twelve  miles  in  the  distance,  is  the  tall  mountain  of  Agua 
Nueva; — it  is  double. — Nearer  on  the  right  of  the  picture, 
you  observe  the  range  of  mountainous  hills  that  bound  the 
plain  on  that  side. 

The  position  of  the  troops,  during  the  battle  of  the  23d,  is 
indicated  by  the  letters ;  but  they  are  only  to  express  the 
general  position  of  each  regiment,  for  during  the  engagement 
they  were  advancing  or  falling  back,  and  changing  position 
continually,  though  generally  operating  over  the  same  ground. 

A  shows  the  position  of  Washington  battery  at  the  pass  ; 
it  was  stationed  there; — B,  a  breast- work  to  the  right  of  the 
battery,  where  were  two  companies  first  Illinoisans. — X 
shows  the  position  of  Bragg's  battery  and  the  second  Ken- 
tucky, during  the  night  before  the  battle; — C,  a  hill  occu- 
pied on  that  morning  by  the  first  Illinoisans  : — D,  position 
of  the  second  Kentucky,  when  first  coming  into  action  ; — 


*  For  this  view  of  the  battle  ground  of  Buena  Vista,  the  author  is  indebted  to  the 
politeness  of  Lieut.  Gray,  adjutant  third  regiment,  Ohio,  by  whom  it  was  drawn  upon 
the  ground,  a  few  weeks  after  the  battle. — The  camp  of  Gen.  Wool,  in  the  fore- 
ground,  is  not  precisely  correct  in  its  lines,  having  been  placed  on  from  recollection; 
but  as  it  represents  the  camp  after  the  battle,  the  difference  is  immaterial. 


POSITION   OF   TROOPS  ON  THE  SECOND  DAY.  463 

JB,  place  of  second  Illinoisans  at  the  same  time ; — F,  posi- 
tion of  second  Indianians,  where  the  heavy  Mexican  column 
a  a  first  made  its  attack; — G,  Kentucky  cavalry; — H  H  H, 
riflemen,  Kentucky,  Arkansas,  Indiana,  and  Illinois  ; — 7,  Col. 
May's  dragoons  and  Capt.  Pike's  squadron  Arkansas  cavalry  ; 
— /,  Arkansas  cavalry ; — L,  third  Indiana,  position  while 
operating  against  column  a  a, a  a; — M, Mississippi  regiment, 
as  attacking  the  column  a  a,  a  a  ; — A7,  the  hacienda  of  Buena 
Vista. 

Coming  round  the  base  of  the  mountain,  and  on  the  plain 
a  a,  a  a,  a  a,  a  a,  is  the  position  of  Gen.  Pacheco's  column, 
three  thousand  infantry,  a  large  body  of  cavalry,  and  four 
pieces  artillery.  After  turning  the  American  left  at  F,  they 
came  round  to  the  rear,  were  checked  by  the  Mississippi 
regiment,  and  fully  repulsed  by  the  Mississippi,  third  Indi- 
ana, part  of  second  Indiana,  Arkansas  and  Kentucky  cav- 
alry, May's  dragoons,  and  Bragg's  and  Sherman's  batteries 
artillery. 

The  letter  b,  to  the  left  of  F,  shows  the  position  of  a  Mex- 
ican battery  there  established  after  the  column  a  a,  a  a,  had 
gained  its  position  ; — c  c,  c  c,  shows  the  position  of  Gen.  Am- 
pudia's  body  of  Mexican  troops  on  the  22d,  and  the  larger 
body  of  those  of  Gen.  Lombardini  on  the  23d.  The  posi- 
tion of  the  letter  d,  points  out  the  situation  of  a  heavy  Mex- 
ican battery  beyond  the  plateau  and  pass. — The  letter  e 
shows  the  position  of  the  heavy  column  under  Gen.  Ampu- 
dia  attacking  the  American  right ;— //,  //,  shows  the  final 
and  heaviest  attack  of  the  Mexican  army,  directed  over  the 
plateau,  in  the  direction  of  F  E  D  C.  This  was  under  the 
command  of  Gen.  Perez,  and  was  composed  of  the  division 
of  Gen.  Pacheco,  a  a,  a  a,  now  retreated,  Gen.  Ampudia,  e, 
and  all  the  reserved  forces  of  the  Mexican  army. — It  was 
checked  near  D,  by  Capt.  O'Brien's  artillery,  with  the  loss  of 
his  guns  ;  repulsed  by  the  second  Kentucky,  first  and  second 
Illinois,  Bragg's  and  Sherman's  artillery,  assisted  by  the  Mis- 
sissippi and  3d  Indiana  regiments,  and  Washington's  battery. 
The  battle  commenced  shortly  after  the  arrival  of  the  en- 
emy ;  and  as  "  old  Zach."  who  fought  the  battle,  has  written 
the  plainest  account  of  it,  we  will  give  it  in  his  words : 


464  BATTLE  OF   BUENA  VISTA. 

HEADQUARTERS,  ARMY  OF  OCCUPATION. 

Agua  Nueva,  March  6,  1847- 

"  SIR  : — I  have  the  honor  to  submit  a  detailed  report  of  the 
operations  of  the  forces  under  my  command,  which  resulted 
in  the  engagement  of  Buena  Vista,  the  repulse  of  the  Mexi- 
can army,  and  the  re-occupation  of  this  position. 

"  The  information  which  reached  me  of  the  advance  and 
concentration  of  a  heavy  Mexican  force  in  my  front,  had 
assumed  such  a  probable  form,  as  to  induce  a  special  exam- 
ination far  beyond  the  reach  of  our  pickets,  to  ascertain  its 
correctness.  A  small  party  of  Texan  spies,  under  Major 
McCulloch,  dispatched  to  the  hacienda  of  Encarnacion,  thirty 
miles  from  this,  on  the  route  to  San  Luis  Potosi,  had  reported 
a  cavalry  force  of  unknown  strength  at  that  place.  On  the 
20th  of  February,  a  strong  reconnoissance,  under  Lieut.-col. 
May,  was  dispatched  to  the  hacienda  of  Heclionda,  while 
Major  McCulloch  made  another  examination  of  Encarnacion. 
The  results  of  these  expeditions  left  no  doubt  that  the  enemy 
was  in  large  force  at  Encarnacion,  under  the  orders  of  Gen. 
Santa  Anna,  and  that  he  meditated  a  forward  movement  and 
attack  upon  our  position. 

"  As  the  camp  of  Agua  Nueva  could  be  turned  on  either 
flank,  and  as  the  enemy's  force  was  greatly  superior  to  our 
own,  particularly  in  the  arm  of  cavalry,  I  determined,  after 
much  consideration,  to  take  up  a  position  about  eleven  miles 
in  rear,  and  there  await  the  attack.  The  army  broke  up  its 
camp  and  marched  at  noon  on  the  21st,  encamping  at  the 
new  position  a  little  in  front  of  the  hacienda  of  Buena  Vista. 
With  a  small  force,  I  proceeded  to  Saltillo,  to  make  some 
necessary  arrangements  for  the  defence  of  the  town,  leaving 
Brig.  Gen.  Wool  in  the  immediate  command  of  the  troops. 

"  Before  these  arrangements  were  completed  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  22d,  I  was  advised  that  the  enemy  was  in  sight, 
advancing.  Upon  reaching  the  ground,  it  was  found  that 
his  cavalry  was  in  our  front,  having  marched  from  Encarna- 
cion, as  -we  have  since  learned,  at  eleven  o'clock  on  the  day 
previous,  and  driving  in  a  mounted  force  left  at  Agua  Nueva 
to  cover  the  removal  of  public  stores.  Our  troops  were  in 
position  occupying  a  line  of  remarkable  strength.  The  road 


DISPOSITION   OF  TROOPS   ON  FIRST  DAY.  465 

at  this  point  becomes  a  narrow  defile,  the  valley  on  its  right 
being  rendered  quite  impracticable  for  artillery  by  a  system 
of  deep  and  impassable  gullies,  while  on  the  left  a  succes- 
sion of  rugged  ridges  and  precipitous  ravines  extends  far 
back  towards  the  mountain  which  bounds  the  valley.  The 
features  of  the  ground  were  such  as  nearly  to  paralyze  the 
artillery  and  cavalry  of  the  enemy,  while  his  infantry  could 
not  derive  all  the  advantages  of  its  numerical  superiority. — 
In  this  position  we  prepared  to  receive  him. 

"  Capt.  Washington's  battery*  (4th  artillery)  was  posted  to 
command  the  road,  while  the  first  and  2d  Illinois  regiments, 
under  Cols.  Hardin  and  Bissell,  each  eight  companies,  (to 
the  latter  of  which  was  attached  Capt.  Conner's  company 
of  Texan  volunteers),  and  the  2d  Kentucky,  under  Col.  Mc- 
Kee,  occupied  the  crests  of  the  ridges  on  the  left  and  in  rear. 
The  Arkansas  and  Kentucky  regiments  of  cavalry,  comman- 
ded by  Cols.  Yell  and  H.  Marshall,  occupied  the  extreme 
left,  near  the  base  of  the  mountain,  while  the  Indiana  brig- 
ade, under  Brig.  Gen.  Lane,  (composed  of  the  2d  and  3d  regi- 
ments, under  Cols.  Bowles  and  Lane),  the  Mississippi  rifle- 
men, under  Col.  Davis,  the  squadrons  of  the  1st  and  2d  dra- 
goons, under  Capt.  Steen  and  Lieut. -col.  May,  and  the  light 
batteries  of  Capts.  Sherman  and  Bragg,  3d  artillery,  were 
held  in  reserve. 

"  At  eleven  o'clock,  I  received  from  Gen.  Santa  Anna  a 
summons  to  surrender  at  discretion,  which,  with  a  copy  of 
my  reply,  I  have  already  transmitted. f  The  enemy  still  for- 

*  Marked  A  in  picture, 
t  [TBANSLATION.] 

SUMMONS    OF    SANTA    ANKA    TO    GENERAL    TAYLOH. 

You  are  surrounded  by  twenty  thousand  men,  and  cannot,  in  any  human  probaml- 
ity,  avoid  suffering  a  rout,  and  being  cut  to  pieces,  with  your  troops;  but  as  you  de- 
serve consideration  and  particular  esteem,  I  wish  to  save  you  from  a  catastrophe,  and 
for  that  purpose  give  you  this  notice,  in  order  that  you  may  surrender  at  discretion, 
under  the  assurance  that  you  will  be  treated  with  the  consideration  belonging  to  the 
Mexican  character  ;  to  which  end  you  will  be  granted  an  hour's  time  to  make  up  your 
mind,  to  commence  from  the  moment  when  my  flag  of  truce  arrives  in  your  camp. — 
With  this  view,  I  assure  you  of  my  particular  consideration. 

God  and  Liberty.  ANTONIO  LOPEZ  DE  SANTA  ANNA 

Camp  at  Encantada,  February  22d,  1847. 

To  GEN.  Z.  TAYLOU,  commanding  the  forces  of  the  United  States. 
30 


466  ACTION  OF  THE   TWENTY-SECOND. 

bore  his  attack,  evidently  awaiting  for  the  arrival  of  his  re?r 
columns,  which  could  be  distinctly  seen  by  our  look-outs  as 
they  approached  the  field.  A  demonstration  made  on  his 
left,  caused  me  to  detach  the  2d  Kentucky  regiment  and  a 
section  of  artillery  to  our  right,  in  which  position  they  bi- 
vouacked for  the  night.* 

"  In  the  meantime,  the  Mexican  light  troopsf  had  engaged 
ours  on  the  extreme  left,  (composed  of  parts  of  the  Ken- 
tucky and  Arkansas  cavalry,  dismounted,  and  a  rifle  bat- 
talion from  the  Indiana  brigade,  under  Major  Gorman,  the 
whole  commanded  by  Colonel  Marshall),  and  kept  up  a 
sharp  fire,  climbing  the  mountain  side,  and  apparently  en- 
deavoring to  gain  our  flank.  Three  pieces  of  Capt.  Wash- 
ington's battery  had  been  detached  to  the  left,  and  were  sup- 
ported by  the  2d  Indiana  regiment.  An  occasional  shell 
was  thrown  by  the  enemy  into  this  part  of  our  line,  but  with- 
out effect.  The  skirmishing  of  the  light  troops  was  kept  up, 
with  trifling  loss  on  our  part,  until  dark,  when  I  became  con- 
vinced that  no  serious  attack  would  be  made  before  the  morn- 
ing, and  returned  with  the  Mississippi  regiment  and  2d  dra- 
goons to  Saltillo.  The  troops  bivouacked  without  fires,  and 
laid  upon  their  arms. 

"A  body  of  cavalry,  some  fifteen  hundred  strong,  had  been 
visible  all  day  in  rear  of  the  town,  having  entered  the  valley 
through  a  narrow  pass  east  of  the  city.  This  cavalry,  com- 

HEADQ.UARTERS,  ARMY  OF  OCCUPATION, 

Near  Buena  Vista,  February  22,  1847. 

Sin  : — In  reply  to  your  note  of  this  date,  summoning  me  to  surrender  my  force  at 
discretion,  I  beg  leave  to  say  that  I  decline  acceding  to  your  request. 
With  high  respect,  I  am,  sir, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Z.  TAYLOR,  Maj.  Gen.  U.  S.  army  com'g. 
SBNOH  GKV.  D.  ANTONIO  LOPEZ  DK  SANTA  ANNA, 

Commander-in-chief,  La  Encantada. 
*  Marked  X  in  view. 

j-  These,  about  fifteen  hundred  in  number,  were  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Am- 
pudia  and  Col.  Baneneli,  and  their  position  is  shown  by  the  small  letters  c  c  c.  This 
day  they  only  were  near  the  base  of  the  mountain,  not  so  high  as  the  upper  c  c  t 
which  position  they  took  during  the  night,  and  from  which,  (being  reinforced  to  the 
numoeroi  two  thousand  five  hundred,  under  Gen.  Lombardini),  they  commenced  the 
Battle  on  the  23d. 


REPULSE  OF  AMPUDIA'S   COLUMN.  467 

manded  by  Gen.  Mifion,  had  evidently  been  thrown  in  our 
rear  to  break  upland  harrass  our  retreat,  and  perhaps  make 
some  attempt  against  the  town,  if  practicable.  The  city  was 
occupied  by  four  excellent  companies  of  Illinois  volunteers, 
under  Major  Warren,  of  the  first  regiment.  A  field  work, 
which  commanded  most  of  the  approaches,  was  garrisoned 
by  Capt.  Webster's  company,  1st  artillery,  and  armecj  with 
two  twenty-four  pound  howitzers,  while  the  train  and  head- 
quarter camp  was  guarded  by  two  companies  Mississippi  rifle- 
men, under  Capt.  Rogers,  and  a  field-piece  commanded  by 
Capt.  Shover,  3d  artillery.  Having  made  these  dispositions 
for  the  protection  of  the  rear,  I  proceeded,  on  the  morning 
of  the  23d,  to  Buena  Vista,  ordering  forward  all  the  other 
available  troops.  The  action  had  commenced  before  my  ar- 
rival on  the  field. 

"  During  the  evening  and  night  of  the  22d,  the  enemy  had 
thrown  a  body  of  light  troops  on  the  mountain  side,  with 
the  purpose  of  outflanking  our  left;  and  it  was  here  that  the 
action  of  the  23d  commenced,  at  an  early  hour.  Our  rifle- 
men, under  Col.  Marshall,  who  had  been  reinforced  by  three 
companies  under  Major  Trail,  second  Illinois  volunteers, 
maintained  their  ground  handsomely  against  a  greatly  supe- 
rior force,  holding  themselves  under  cover,  and  using  their 
weapons  with  deadly  effect.*  About  six  o'clock,  a  strong 
demonstration  was  made  against  the  centre  of  our  position, 
a  heavy  column  moving  along  the  road.f  This  force  was 
soon  dispersed  by  a  few  rapid  and  well-directed  shots  from 
Capt.  Washington's  battery.  In  the  meantime  the  enemy 
was  concentrating  a  large  force  of  infantry  and  cavalry  un- 
der cover  of  the  ridges,  with  the  obvious  intention  of  forcing 
our  left,  which  was  posted  on  an  extensive  plateau 4  The 

•  These  troops,  under  Col.  Marshal],  are  marked  in  position  by  the  letters  H  H  H. 

•{•  The  position  of  these  troops,  though  concealed  by  the  "  pass,"  is  shown  by  the 
letter  e  on  the  view.  They  were  under  Gen.  Ampudia. 

$  This  column  of  troops,  which  attacked  the  2d  Indiana,  (the  position  of  which 
a  marked  F),  and  the  2d  Illinois,  (position  .E),  was  commanded  by  Gen.  Pacheco; 
consisted  of  three  thousand  infantry,  accompanied  by  nearly  two  thousand  cavalry  and 
four  pieces  of  artillery,  which  were  placed  in  battery,  (at  b~).  The  brunt  of  opposing 
this  heavy  force,  from  their  position,  fell  on  the  2d  Indiana  regiment  and  Capt. 
O'Brien's  artillery. 


468  ATTACK  OF  GEN.  PACHECO. 

second  Indiana  and  second  Illinois  regiments  formed  this 
part  of  our  line,  the  former  covering  three  pieces  of  light 
artillery,  under  the  orders  of  Capt.  O'Brien; — Brig.  Gen.  Lane 
being  in  immediate  command.  In  order  to  bring  his  men 
within  effective  range,  Gen.  Lane  ordered  the  artillery  and 
second  Indiana  regiment  forward.  The  artillery  advanced 
within  musket  range  of  a  heavy  body  of  Mexican  infantry, 
and  was  served  against  it  with  great  effect,  but  without  be- 
ing able  to  check  its  advance.  The  infantry  ordered  to  its 
support  had  fallen  back  in  disorder,  being  exposed,  as  well 
as  the  battery,  not  only  to  a  severe  fire  of  small  arms  in 
front,  but  also  to  a  murderous  cross-fire  of  grape  and  can- 
nister,  from  a  Mexican  battery  on  the  left.*  Capt.  O'Brien 
found  it  impossible  to  retain  his  position  without  support, 
but  was  only  able  to  withdraw  two  of  his  pieces,  all  the 

*  Never  have  troops  been  more  abused  by  public  opinion,  (controlled  and  directed 
by  letter-writers  from  the  army),  than  have  these  2 J  Indianians ;  and  although  a  court 
of  inquiry  afterwards  investigated  fully  the  matter,  and  came  to  a  far  different  opinion 
than  that  thus  sent  back  to  the  United  States,  still  many  are  under  a  misapprehension 
with  regard  to  them.— From  their  position,  they  were  forced  to  withstand  the  princi- 
pal weight  of  Gen.  Pacheco's  heavy  columns  of  infantry  and  cavalry,  and  were  further 
exposed  to  the  cross-fire  of  grape  and  cannister  from  the  Mexican  battery  of  artillery, 
placed  at  b,  in  picture.  Pacheco's  troops  were  fresh, — for  it  was  the  first  assault, — 
and  confident  of  victory  from  very  numerical  force. — The  2d  Illinois,  under  the 
gallant  Bissell,  were  some  distance  to  the  right  of  the  Indianians Col.  Mar- 
shall's force  of  dismounted  cavalry,  and  infantry  riflemen,  were  to  the  left,  and 
on  the  mountain,  closely  engaged  with  the  far  greater  force  of  Gen.  Lombar- 
dini. — Thus  placed,  the  second  Indiana  stood  its  ground,  although  suffering  so  se- 
verely from  the  enemy  in  front,  and  their  battery  on  their  left. — Retreat  was  never 
thought  of  by  them  while  with  coolness  they  loaded  and  fired ;  not  once  or  twice,  but 
delivered,  in  that  position,  twenty-one  volleys  round,  in  the  meantime  losing  thirty-two 
killed  and  thirty-six  wounded. — Col.  Bowles,  seeing  his  men  falling  in  such  numbers 
before  the  shower  of  musket  balls,  grape,  and  cannister,  sweeping  through  them,  he, 
himself,  unadvisedly  and  unfortunately  ordered  the  regiment  to  "  cease  firing  and 
retreat" — But  still  they  stood,  unwilling  to  go.  He  repeated  the  order,  before  it  was 
obeyed ;  and  then  the  left,  in  obedience,  began  to  retreat,  followed  by  the  right,  who 
were  still  firing.  But  the  colonel,  having  thus  most  unfortunately  broken  up  the 
line,  and  sent  them  on  retreat,  with  no  place  designated  to  re-form,  and  with  the 
tremendous  fire  of  the  enemy  behind  them,  had  got  them  into  a  situation  from  which 
he  could  not  extricate  them. — Confidence  was  gone. — The  order  to  retreat,  earnestly 
given  from  him,  conveyed  to  the  minds  of  every  one  that  he  despaired  of  main- 
taining his  ground ;  and  it  was,  in  fact,  equivalent  to  an  order  for  every  man  to  save 
himself. — They  believed  the  battle  lost,  not  from  fear,  but  on  account  of  the  order 
so  given  and  repeated. — There  was  no  time  now  for  explanation ;  the  mischief  had 


RETREAT   OF   SECOND   INDIANA    REGIMENT.  469 

horses  and  cannoneers  of  the  third  piece  being  killed  or  dis- 
abled. The  second  Indiana  regiment,  which  had  fallen  back 
as  stated,  could  not  be  rallied,  and  took  no  farther  part  in 
the  action,  except  a  handful  of  men,*  who,  under  its  gallant 
colonel,  Bowles,  joined  the  Mississippi  regiment,  and  did  good 
service,  and  those  fugitives  who,  at  a  later  period  of  the  day, 
assisted  in  defending  the  train  and  depot  at  Buena  Vista. 
This  portion  of  our  line  having  given  way,  and  the  enemy 
appearing  in  overwhelming  force  against  our  left  flank,  the 
light  troops  which  had  rendered  such  good  service  on  the 
mountain,  were  compelled  to  withdraw,  which  they  did,  for 
the  most  part,  in  good  order.  Many,  however,  were  not  ral- 
lied until  they  reached  the  depot  at  Buena  Vista,  to  the  de- 
fence of  which  they  afterwards  contributed. 

"  Col.  BisselPs  regiment,t  (2d  Illinois),  which  had  been  join- 

been  done ;  the  impression  forced  on  the  men  ;  and  the  fire  of  the  enemy  was  in  the 
rear. — The  court  of  inquiry,  after  patient  investigation,  pronounced  this  movement  of 
Col.  Bowles  to  proceed  not  from  cowardice,  (for  he  fought  most  gallantly  all  the  day 
afterward,  in  the  ranks  of  the  Mississippi  regiment),  but  from  an  ill-judged  motive  of 
expediency,  to  save  the  lives  of  his  men. — Such  was  the  retreat  of  the  2d  Indianians. 

Reader,  judge  of  them  impartially ;  place  any  other  regiment,  even  of  the  oldest 
regulars,  in  their  situation — put  them  before  a  well-armed  and  fresh  force,  of  ten  times 
their  number,  in  front,  and  on  their  flank  an  active  battery  sending  grape  and  cannister 
in  showers  through  them, — and  then,  after  standing  in  the  face  of  such  a  force,  in  the 
heat  of  the  battle  let  them  hear  their  own  colonel,  to  whom  they  look  for  all  commands, 
loudly  calling  to  them  to  retreat,  and  repeating  it,  and  the  idea  will  flash  on  every 
soldier's  mind,  that  the  day  is  lost,  and  that  every  one  is  to  retreat  for  himself. 

This  was  a  battle  of  volunteers,  and  no  regiment  engaged  in  it  had  before  been  in 
one,  save  the  Mississippi,  which  had  done  such  good  service  at  Monterey. — The  re- 
giments stood  their  ground  and  fought  with  such  bravery  for  ten  hours,  against  the 
legions  opposed  to  them — with  such  heroic  firmness  resisting  the  concentrated  attacks 
from  morn  till  night,  that  praise  of  them  is  idle ; — to  look  at  their  conduct  excites  not 
only  admiration,  but  astonishment. 

*  "  From  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred."  See  proceedings  of  court  of  in- 
quiry, published  at  Saltillo,  May  3d,  1847. 

f  This  2d  Illinois  regiment  acted,  during  the  entire  day,  in  the  most  gallant  manner. 
— As  the  2d  Indiana  retreated,  and  the  heavy  column  of  the  enemy  advanced  upon 
the  ground  which  had  been  occupied  by  it,  this  regiment  fell  back  from  its  position,  E, 
on  picture,  two  or  three  hundred  yards,  towards  D.  This  movement  was  performed  in 
the  face  of  the  enemy,  as  it  would  have  been  on  parade .  being  faced  about,  marched 
the  distance,  and  again  faced  to  the  front.  They  received  several  volleys  here,  then 
advanced  nearer,  and  engaged  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  for  thirty  minutes,  suffer- 
ing severely.  Their  gallant  colonel  drew  them  ofF  to  the  right,  and  attacked,  with  the 
1st  Illinois  and  2d  Kentucky,  the  left  of  the  enemy;  afterward  was  in  the  last  charge 


470  RESISTANCE  OF   PACHECO'S   ATTACK. 

ed  by  a  section  of  Capt.  Sherman's  battery,  had  become  com- 
pletely outflanked,  and  was  compelled  to  fall  back,  being 
entirely  unsupported.  The  enemy  was  now  pouring  masses 
of  infantry  and  cavalry  along  the  base  of  the  mountain  on 
our  left,  and  was  gaining  our  rear  in  great  force.  At  this 
moment  I  arrived  upon  the  field.  The  Mississippi  regiment* 
had  been  directed  to  the  left  before  reaching  the  position, 
and  immediately  came  into  action  against  the  Mexican  cav- 
alry which  had  turned  our  flank.  The  2d  Kentucky  regi- 
ment and  a  section  of  artillery  under  Capt.  Bragg  had  previ- 
ously been  ordered  from  the  right  to  reinforce  our  left,  and 
arrived  at  a  most  opportune  moment.  That  regiment,  and 
a  portion  of  the  1st  Illinois  under  Col.  Hardin,  gallantly 
drove  the  enemy,  and  recovered  a  portion  of  the  ground  we 
had  lost.  The  batteries  of  captains  Sherman  and  Bragg 
were  in  position  on  the  plateau,  and  did  much  execution — 
not  only  in  front,  but  particularly  upon  the  masses  which 
had  gained  our  rear.  Discovering  that  the  enemy  was  hea- 
vily pressing  upon  the  Mississippi  regiment,  the  3d  Indiana 
regiment,  under  Col.  Lane,  was  dispatched  to  strengthen  that 
part  of  our  line  which  formed  a  crotchet  perpendicular  to 
the  first  line  of  battle.  At  the  same  time,  Lieut.  Kilburn, 
with  a  piece  of  Capt.  Bragg's  battery,  was  commanded  to 
support  the  infantry  there  engaged.  The  action  was  for  a 
long  time  warmly  sustained  at  that  point — the  enemy  ma- 

of  the  day  against  the  column  f  f  f ;  and  took  the  colors  of  the  Guanajuata  regi- 
ment, after  hard  fighting.  The  loss  of  this  regiment  was  more  severe  than  that  of  any 
other.  It  had  one  captain,  nine  lieutenants,  thirty-seven  non-commissioned  officers 
and  privates  killed,  and  three  captains,  four  lieutenants,  and  sixty-seven  non-commis- 
sioned officers  and  privates  wounded.  Two  companies  of  this  regiment,  under  Major 
Trail, — captains  Leman's  and  Woodward's, — fought  on  the  mountains,  H  H,  and  on 
the  left,  at  and  near  the  hacienda ;  and  two  more  were  detached  for  the  defence  of 
Saltillo. 

*  This  regiment,  under  Col.  Davis,  leaving  two  of  its  companies  at  Saltillo,  accom- 
panied Gen.  Taylor  on  that  morning  to  the  battle-field.  On  the  way  they  heard  the 
artillery,  which  assured  them  that  the  battle  had  commenced ;  and  they  hastened  on, 
arrived,  and  immediately,  unsupported,  advanced  against  the  heavy  victorious  column 
of  the  enemy,  which,  more  than  four  thousand  strong  of  cavalry  and  infantry,  had 
turned  the  American  left.  The  regiment  took  a  position  near  M,  and  opened  a 
volley  when  near  the  enemy ;  and  continued,  although  suffering  severely,  to  advance 
with  such  deadly  fire  upon  the  column,  that  it  fell  back,  and  a  column  of  cavalry  were 
aent  round  to  attack  the  fearless  Mississippians  in  the  rear ;  but,  in  crossing  around  to 


REPULSE  OF  PACHECO'S   COLUMN.  471 

king  several  attempts,  both  with  infantry  and  cavalry,  against 
our  line,  and  being  repulsed  always  with  heavy  loss.  I  had 
placed  all  the  regular  cavalry  and  Capt.  Pike's  squadron  of 
Arkansas  horse  under  the  orders  of  brevet  Lieut.  Col.  May, 
with  directions  to  hold  in  check  the  enemy's  column,  still 
advancing  in  the  rear  along  the  base  of  the  mountain,  which 
was  done  in  connection  with  the  Kentucky  and  Arkansas 
cavalry,  under  colonels  Marshall  and  Yell.  In  the  meantime 
our  left,  which  was  still  strongly  threatened  by  a  superior 
force,  was  further  strengthened  by  the  detachment  of  Capt. 
Bragg's  and  a  portion  of  Capt.  Sherman's  batteries  to  that 
quarter.  The  concentration  of  artillery  fire  upon  the  mass 
of  the  enemy  along  the  base  of  the  mountain,  and  the  de- 
termined resistance  offered  by  the  two  regiments  opposed  to 
them,  had  created  confusion  in  their  ranks,  and  some  of  the 
corps  attempted  to  effect  a  retreat  upon  their  main  line  of 
battle.  The  squadron  of  the  1st  dragoons,  under  Lieut. 
Rucker,  was  now  ordered  up  the  deep  ravine  which  these 
retreating  corps  were  endeavoring  to  cross,  in  order  to  charge 
and  disperse  them.  The  squadron  proceeded  to  the  point 
indicated,  but  could  not  accomplish  the  object,  being  exposed 
to  a  heavy  fire  from  a  battery  established  to  cover  the  retreat 
of  those  corps.  While  the  squadron  was  detached  upon  this 
service,  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  was  observed  to  concen- 
trate on  our  extreme  left,  apparently  with  the  view  of  ma- 
do  this,  they  were  received  with  such  a  destructive  fire  from  the  rifles,  as  wholly  to  dis- 
perse them  with  much  loss. — The  regiment  re-formed,  and,  joined  by  the  3d  Indiana 
(at  L)  and  a  piece  of  artillery  of  Bragg's  battery,  under  Lieut.  Kilburn,  again  attacked 
the  heavy  column,  and  forced  it  to  retire  toward  the  mountain ;  but,  coming  in  the 
range  of  a  battery  of  the  enemy,  they  fell  back,  and  were  charged  upon  by  the  whole 
body  of  Mexican  cavalry.  Forming  its  line  as  these  came  up,  with  the  third  Indiana, 
they  received  the  lancers  with  such  fatal  volleys  as  immediately  to  force  them  to  fall 
back;  and,  shortly  after,  with  the  aid  of  other  troops,  the  whole  column,  a  a,  a  a,  was 
forced  to  retreat. — In  the  severe  and  bloody  final  charge  of  the  whole  Mexican  force 
under  Gen.  Perez,  on  the  high  plain,  FED,  towards  C,  the  Mississippians  were  of  the 
greatest  service — reaching  the  ground  opposite  E,  and  pouring  a  destructive  fire  into 
the  enemy's  flank,  as  he  endeavored  to  force  the  position  ;  and  when  the  head  of  the 
column  had  come  near  to  Bragg's  battery,  then  stationed  near  D,  tne  fire  was  so  severe 
that  the  enemy's  right  was  immediately  broken.  Most  nobly  did  the  regiment  and  its 
gallant  commander,  who  was  wounded  at  the  first  fire,  sustain,  through  the  day,  the 
reputation  of  their  State.  Many  brave  men  fell  in  its  ranks ;  loss,  forty-two  killed 
and  fifty-one  wounded.  Number  of  men  in  action,  three  hundred  and  forty-one. 


472  PACHECO'S   ATTACK   ON    THE   HACIENDA. 

king  a  descent  upon  the  hacienda  of  Buena  Vista,  where  our 
train  and  baggage  were  deposited.  Lieut.  Col.  May  was  or- 
dered to  the  support  of  that  point,  with  two  pieces  of  Capt. 
Sherman's  battery  under  Lieut.  Reynolds.  In  the  meantime 
the  scattered  forces  near  the  hacienda,  composed  in  part  of 
majors  Trail's  and  Gorman's  commands,  had  been  to  some 
extent  organized  under  the  advice  of  Major  Monroe,  chief 
of  artillery,  with  the  assistance  of  Major  Morrison,  volunteer 
staff,  and  were  posted  to  defend  the  position.  Before  our 
cavalry  had  reached  the  hacienda,  that  of  the  enemy  had 
made  its  attack,  having  been  handsomely  met  by  the  Ken- 
tucky and  Arkansas  cavalry,  under  colonels  Marshall  and 
Yell.*  The  Mexican  column  immediately  divided — one  por- 
tion sweeping  by  the  depot,  where  it  received  a  destructive 
fire  from  the  force  which  had  collected  there,  and  then  gain- 
ing the  mountain  opposite,  under  a  fire  from  Lieut.  Reynolds' 
section,  the  remaining  portion  regaining  the  base  of  the 
mountain  on  our  left.  In  the  charge  at  Buena  Vista,  Col. 
Yell  fell  gallantly  at  the  head  of  his  regiment ;  we  also  lost 
Adj.  Vaughan,  of  the  Kentucky  cavalry — a  young  officer  of 
much  promise.  Lieut.  Col.  May,  who  had  been  rejoined  by 
the  squadron  of  the  1st  dragoons,  and  by  portions  of  the 
Arkansas  and  Indiana  troops,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Roane  and 
Major  Gorman,  now  approached  the  base  of  the  mountain, 
holding  in  check  the  right  flank  of  the  enemy,  upon  whose 

*  These  two  regiments,  Kentucky  cavalry,  Col.  Marshall,  and  Arkansas,  Col.  Yell 
together  with  the  few  regular  dragoons  under  Col.  May,  during  the  battle  on  the  23d, 
had  most  severe  and  laborious  services  to  perform  — They  had  had  no  rest  on  the  pre- 
vious day,  the  21st,  or  even  on  the  20th  ;  nor  until  after  the  battle  was  finished  on  the 
23d,  was  there  any  cessation  of  their  exertion. — The  rifle  battalion  of  each,  dismount- 
ed, in  conjunction  with  that  of  the  2d  Indiana,  fought  on  the  mountain  side,  in  the 
position  H  H,  during  the  afternoon  of  the  22d,  and,  reinforced  by  the  rifle  battalion 
of  the  2d  Illinois,  commenced  here  the  glorious  action  of  the  23d. — When  Gen.  Pa 
checo's  heavy  column  a  a,  a  a,  had  succeeded  in  turning  the  American  left,  these 
detachments  retired  to  the  plain,  and  there  kept  up  their  exertions. — The  mounted 
companies  had  continually  their  utmost  endeavors  to  make,  in  repelling,  with  the  other 
regiments,  the  onward  march  of  this  column  ;  and  in  these  heroic  and  successful 
efforts,  they  lost  many  of  their  number,  and  among  them  Col.  Yell,  the  brave  and  tal- 
ented commander  of  the  Arkansas  troops.  He  fought  at  their  head,  and  was  killed 
in  the  charge,  not  far  from  the  trees  seen  in  picture. 

Loss  of  Kentucky  cavalry,  killed  and  wounded,  61. — Loss  of  Arkansas,  killed, 
wounded  and  missing,  53. 


REPULSE  OF  GEN.  MINON'S  CAVALRY.          473 

masses,  crowded  in  the  narrow  gorges  and  the  ravines,  our 
artillery  was  doing  fearful  execution. 

"  The  position  of  that  portion  of  the  Mexican  army  which 
had  gained  our  rear  was  now  very  critical,  and  it  seemed 
doubtful  whether  it  could  regain  the  main  body.  At  this 
moment  I  received  from  Gen.  Santa  Anna  a  message  by  a 
staff  officer,  desiring  to  know  what  I  wanted?  I  immedi- 
ately dispatched  Brig.  Gen.  Wool  to  the  Mexican  general- 
in-chief,  and  sent  orders  to  cease  firing.  Upon  reaching  the 
Mexican  lines,  Gen.  Wool  could  not  cause  the  enemy  to  cease 
their  fire,  and  accordingly  returned  without  having  an  inter- 
view. The  extreme  right  of  the  enemy  continued  its  retreat 
along  the  base  of  the  mountain,  and,  finally,  in  spite  of  all 
our  efforts,  effected  a  junction  with  the  remainder  of  the 
army. 

"  During  the  remainder  of  the  day,  Gen.  Minon*  had  as- 
cended the  elevated  plain  above  Saltillo,  and  occupied  the 
road  from  the  city  to  the  field  of  battle,  where  they  inter- 
cepted several  of  our  men.  Approaching  the  town,  they  were 
fired  upon  by  Capt.  Webster,  from  the  redoubt  occupied  by 
his  company,  and  then  moved  on  towards  the  eastern  side 
of  the  valley,  and  obliquely  towards  Buena  Vista.  At  this 
time,  Capt.  Shover  moved  rapidly  forward  with  his  piece, 
supported  by  a  miscellaneous  command  of  mounted  volun- 
teers, and  fired  several  shots  at  the  cavalry,  with  great  ef- 
fect. They  were  driven  into  the  ravines  which  lead  to  the 
lower  valley,  closely  pursued  by  Capt.  Shover,  who  was  fur- 
ther supported  by  a  piece  of  Capt.  Webster's  battery,  under 
Lieut.  Donaldson,  which  had  advanced  from  the  redoubt, 
supported  by  Capt.  Wheeler's  company  Illinois  volunteers. 

*  Santa  Anna,  in  his  account  of  this  battle,  lays  all  the  blame  of  his  want  of  suc- 
cess at  the  door  of  Gen.  Minon ;  for  that  general,  he  says,  was  ordered  to  charge  upon 
the  American  force  on  the  left,  instead  of  doing  which,  he  contented  himself  with  re- 
maining all  day  in  position  between  Buena  Vista  and  Saltillo,  and  in  making  an  un- 
successful demonstration  on  the  latter  place. — Gen.  Minon,  on  the  other  hand,  main- 
tains to  the  effect  that  his  instructions  from  Gen.  Santa  Anna  were  for  him  to  take 
position  where  he  did,  and  fall  on  the  "  Yankees,'  after  Santa  Anna  nad  driven  them 
through  the  pass ;  and  he  maintains  that  he  exactly  performed  his  orders,  save  as  to 
cutting  down  and  annihilating  said  "  Yankees ;"  which  failure  resulted  only  from  the 
fact  that  Gen.  Santa  Anna  was  not  able,  with  all  his  force,  to  drive  them  through  the 
pass  towards  him. 


474  FINAL  ATTACK  OF  THE  MEXICAN   ARMY. 

The  enemy  made  one  or  two  efforts  to  charge  the  artillery, 
but  was  finally  driven  back  in  a  confused  mass,  and  did  not 
again  appear  upon  the  plain. 

"  In  the  meantime,  the  firing  had  partially  ceased  upon  the 
principal  field.*  The  enemy  seemed  to  confine  his  efforts  to 
the  protection  of  his  artillery,  and  I  had  left  the  plateau  for 
a  moment,  when  I  was  recalled  thither  by  a  heavy  musketry 
fire.  On  regaining  that  position,  I  discovered  that  our  in- 
fantry (Illinois  and  2d  Kentucky)  had  engaged  a  greatly  su- 
perior force  of  the  enemy — evidently  his  reserve — and  that 
they  had  been  overwhelmed  by  numbers.  The  moment  was 
most  critical.  Capt.  O'Brien,  with  two  pieces,  had  sustain- 
ed this  heavy  charge  to  the  last,  and  was  finally  obliged  to 
leave  his  guns  on  the  field — his  infantry  support  being  en- 
tirely routed.  Capt.  Bragg,  who  had  just  arrived  from  the 
left,  was  ordered  at  once  into  battery.  Without  any  infantry 
to  support  him,  and  at  the  imminent  risk  of  losing  his  guns 
this  officer  came  rapidly  into  action,  the  Mexican  line  being 
but  a  few  yards  from  the  muzzle  of  his  pieces.  The  first 
discharge  of  cannister  caused  the  enemy  to  hesitate  ;  the  se- 
cond and  third  drove  him  back  in  disorder,  and  saved  the 
day.  The  2d  Kentucky  regiment,  which  had  advanced  be- 
yond supporting  distance  in  this  affair,  was  driven  back,  and 

*  The  last  great  struggle  of  the  day  was  now  about  to  be  brought  on.  The  attack- 
ing column  of  Gen.  Ampudia,  on  the  right,  had  been  repulsed  by  the  rapid  and  de- 
structive discharge  of  Capt.  Washington's  battery.  The  column  of  Gen.  Pacheco, 
oil  the  left,  after  partial  success,  had  been  driven  back  by  the  Mississippi,  third 
Indiana  infantry,  Arkansas  and  Kentucky  cavalry,  Col.  May's  dragoons,  Bragg's, 
Sherman's,  and  Kilburn's  artillery,  and  the  miscellaneous  force  at  the  hacienda. — 
The  centre  column,  under  Gen.  Villamil,  had  been  repulsed  by  the  1st  and  2d  Illinois, 
and  the  second  Kentucky,  aided  by  Capt.  O'Brien's  and  others'  artillery.  Thus,  the 
three  separate  charges  upon  different  portions  of  the  American  position,  although 
desperate  and  bloody  on  both  sides,  had  failed,  and  the  dead  and  dying  covered  the 
nard  fought  field. — In  this  last  charge,  the  whole  power  of  the  Mexican  army  was  to 
be  brought  to  bear  upon  the  American  centre. 

While  this  lull  in  the  storm  of  battle  was  taking  place,  during  which  the  artillery, 
only,  on  both  sides,  belched  forth  their  opposing  thunders,  Santa  Anna  was,  with  the 
<reatest  activity,  throwing  his  columns  together  for  this  grand  charge. — Gen.  Ampu- 
dia's  column  was  united  to  those  of  Gen.  Pacheco  and  Gen.  Villamil,  and  to  this 
force  were  added  all  the  fresh  troops  of  the  reserve ;  the  whole  was  placed  under  the 
command  of  Gen.  Perez ;  and  the  vast  body  came  down  like  an  avalanche,  on  the 
rlevatcd  plain,  in  the  direction  f  f,  f  f. 


REPULSE   OF  GEN.  PEREZ.  475 

closely  pressed  by  the  enemy's  cavalry.  Taking  a  ravine 
which  led  in  the  direction  of  Capt.  Washington's  battery, 
their  pursuers  became  exposed  to  his  fire,  which  soon  check- 
ed and  drove  them  back  with  loss. 

"  In  the  meantime,  the  rest  of  our  artillery  had  taken  po- 
sition on  the  plateau,  covered  by  the  Mississippi  and  3d  In- 
diana regiments,  the  former  of  which  had  reached  the  ground 
in  time  to  pour  a  fire  into  the  right  flank  of  the  enemy,  and 
thus  contribute  to  his  repulse.  In  this  last  conflict,  we  had 
the  misfortune  to  sustain  a  very  heavy  loss.  Col.  Hardin, 
1st  Illinois,  and  Col.  McKee  and  Lieut.  Col.  Clay,  2d  Ken- 
tucky regiment,*  fell  at  this  time,  while  gallantly  heading 
their  commands. 

"  No  farther  attempt  was  made  by  the  enemy  to  force  our 
position,  and  the  approach  of  night  gave  an  opportunity  to 
pay  proper  attention  to  the  wounded,  and  also  to  refresh  the 
soldiers,  who  had  been  exhausted  by  incessant  watchfulness 
and  combat.  Though  the  night  was  extremely  cold,  the 
troops  were  compelled  for  the  most  part  to  bivouack  without 
fires,  expecting  that  morning  would  renew  the  conflict.  Du- 
ring the  night,  the  wounded  were  removed  to  Saltillo,  and 
every  preparation  made  to  receive  the  enemy,  should  he 
again  attack  our  position.  Seven  fresh  companies  were 
drawn  from  the  town,  and  Brig.  Gen.  Marshall,  who  had 
made  a  forced  march  from  the  Rinconada,  with  a  reinforce- 
ment of  Kentucky  cavalry  and  four  heavy  guns,  under  Capt. 
Prentiss,  1st  artillery,  was  near  at  hand,  when  it  was  discov- 
ered that  the  enemy  had  abandoned  his  position  during  the 
night.  Our  scouts  soon  ascertained  that  he  had  fallen  back 
upon  Agua  Nueva.  The  great  disparity  of  numbers,  and  the 

*  This  gallant  2d  Kentucky  regiment,  whose  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  most 
severe,  was  engaged  through  the  day,  in  conjunction  with  the  two  Illinois  regiments, 
upon  the  elevated  plateau,  D  E  F.  On  the  evening  of  the  day  before,  it  had  been 
ordered  from  its  first  position,  in  rear  of  Washington's  battery,  A,  to  accompany  and 
support  Bragg's  battery,  to  the  position  JT,  to  the  extreme  right. — Here  they  remained 
on  their  arms  during  the  night,  and  at  the  commencement  of  the  action  of  the  23d,  at 
daylight,  they  crossed  to  the  centre,  and  took  position  in  the  battle  on  the  plateau  at  D 
A  most  enthusiastic  ardor  in  the  regiment  was  manifested  throughout  the  long-con- 
tested conflict. 

Loss  of  the  regiment  during  the  day,  44  killed,  57  vvouuded,  1  missing.-~'fotal,  102. 


476  RETREAT  OF   MEXICAN   ARMY. 

exhaustion  of  our  troops  rendered  it  inexpedient  and  hazard- 
ous to  attempt  a  pursuit.  A  staff  officer  was  sent  to  Gen. 
Santa  Anna  to  negotiate  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  which 
was  satisfactorily  completed  on  the  following  day.  Our  own 
dead  were  collected  and  buried,  and  the  Mexican  wounded, 
of  which  a  large  number  had  been  left  upon  the  field,  were 
removed  to  Saltillo,  and  rendered  as  comfortable  as  circum- 
stances would  permit. 

"  On  the  evening  of  the  26th,  a  close  reconnoissance  was 
made  of  the  enemy's  position,  which  was  found  to  be  occu- 
pied only  by  a  small  body  of  cavalry,  the  infantry  and  ar- 
tillery having  retreated  in  the  direction  of  San  Luis  Potosi. 
On  the  27th,  our  troops  resumed  their  former  camp  at  Agua 
Nueva,  the  enemy's  rear  guard  evacuating  the  place  as  we 
approached,  leaving  a  considerable  number  of  wounded.  It 
was  my  purpose  to  beat  up  his  quarters  at  Incarnacion  early 
the  next  morning,  but  upon  examination,  the  weak  condition 
of  the  cavalry  horses  rendered  it  unadvisable  to  attempt  so 
long  a  march  without  water.  A  command  was  finally  dis- 
patched to  Incarnacion,  on  the  1st  of  March,  under  Col.  Bel- 
knap.  Some  two  hundred  wounded,  and  about  sixty  Mexi- 
can soldiers  were  found  there,  the  army  having  passed  on  in 
the  direction  of  Matahuala,  with  greatly  reduced  numbers, 
and  suffering  much  from  hunger.  The  dead  and  dying  were 
strewed  upon  the  road,  and  crowded  the  buildings  of  the 
hacienda. 

"  The  American  force  engaged  in  the  action  of  Buena  Vista 
is  shown,  by  the  accompanying  field  report,  to  have  been 
three  hundred  and  thirty-four  officers,  and  four  thousand  four 
hundred  and  twenty-five  men,  exclusive  of  the  small  com- 
mand left  near  and  in  Saltillo.  Of  this  number,  two  squad- 
rons of  cavalry,  and  three  batteries  of  light  artillery,  making 
not  more  than  four  hundred  and  fifty-three  men,  composed 
the  only  force  of  regular  troops.*  The  strength  of  the  Mexi- 
can army  is  stated  by  Gen.  Santa  Anna,  in  his  summons,  to 
be  twenty  thousand ;  and  that  estimate  is  confirmed  by  all 

*  Volunteers:  officers  and  men  in  battle  of  Buena  Vista,  4,420  ;  loss  in  killed,  263; 
wounded,  371;  missing,  21.  Regulars:  number  of  officers  and  men,  493;  loss  in 
killed,  7 ;  wounded,  55 ;  missing,  3. 


LOSS   OF   EITHER  ARMY.  477 

the  information  since  obtained.  Our  loss  is  two  hundred 
and  sixty-seven  killed,  four  hundred  and  fifty-six  wounded, 
and  twenty-three  missing.  Of  the  numerous  wounded,  many 
did  not  require  removal  to  the  hospital,  and  it  is  hoped  that 
a  comparatively  small  number  will  be  permanently  disabled. 
The  Mexican  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  may  be  fairly  esti- 
mated at  one  thousand  five  hundred,  and  will  probably  reach 
two  thousand.  At  least  five  hundred  of  their  killed  were 
left  upon  the  field  of  battle.  We  have  no  means  of  ascer- 
taining the  number  of  deserters  and  dispersed  men  from  their 
ranks,  but  it  is  known  to  be  very  great. 

"  Our  loss  has  been  especially  severe  in  officers,  twenty- 
eight  having  been  killed  upon  the  field.  We  have  to  lament 
the  death  of  Capt.  George  Lincoln,  assistant  adjutant-gen- 
eral, serving  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  Wool — a  young  officer  of 
high  bearing  and  approved  gallantry,  who  fell  early  in  the 
action.  No  loss  falls  more  heavily  upon  the  army  in  the 
field  than  that  of  colonels  Hardin  and  McKee,  and  Lieut.  Col. 
Clay.  Possessing  in  a  remarkable  degree  the  confidence  of 
their  commands,  and  the  last  two  having  enjoyed  the  advan- 
tage of  a  military  education,  I  had  looked  particularly  to 
them  for  support  in  case  we  met  the  enemy.  I  need  not  say 
that  their  zeal  in  engaging  the  enemy,  and  the  cool  and  stead- 
fast courage  with  which  they  maintained  their  positions  du- 
ring the  day,  fully  realized  my  hopes,  and  caused  me  to  feel 
yet  more  sensibly  their  untimely  loss. 

"  I  perform  a  grateful  duty  in  bringing  to  the  notice  of  the 
government  the  general  good  conduct  of  the  troops.  Ex- 
posed for  successive  nights,  without  fires,  to  the  severity  of 
the  weather,  they  were  ever  prompt  and  cheerful  in  the  dis- 
charge of  every  duty,  and  finally  displayed  conspicuous  stea- 
diness and  gallantry  in  repulsing,  at  great  odds,  a  disciplined 
foe.  While  the  brilliant  success  achieved  by  their  arms  re- 
leases me  from  the  painful  necessity  of  specifying  many  cases 
of  bad  conduct  before  the  enemy,  I  feel  an  increased  obliga- 
tion to  mention  particular  corps  and  officers,  whose  skill, 
coolness  and  gallantry,  in  trying  situations  and  under  a  con- 
tinued and  heavy  fire,  seem  to  merit  particular  xiotice. 

K  To  Brig.  Gen.  Wool  my  obligations  are  especially  due. 


478  CONDUCT  OF  OFFICERS  AND   TROOPS. 

The  high  state  of  discipline  and  instruction  of  several  of  the 
volunteer  regiments  was  attained  under  his  command  ;  and 
to  his  vigilance  and  arduous  services  before  the  action,  and 
his  gallantry  and  activity  on  the  field,  a  large  share  of  our 
success  may  justly  be  attributed. — During  most  of  the  en- 
gagement, he  was  in  immediate  command  of  the  troops 
thrown  back  on  our  left  flank.  1  beg  leave  to  recommend 
him  to  the  favorable  notice  of  the  government.  Brig.  Gen. 
Lane  (slightly  wounded)  was  active  and  zealous  throughout 
the  day,  and  displayed  great  coolness  and  gallantry  before 
the  enemy. 

"  The  services  of  the  light  artillery,  always  conspicuous, 
were  more  than  usually  distinguished.  Moving  rapidly  over 
the  roughest  ground,  it  was  always  in  action  at  the  right 
place,  and  the  right  time  ;  and  its  well-directed  fire  dealt 
destruction  in  the  masses  of  the  enemy.  While  I  recom- 
mend to  particular  favor,  the  gallant  conduct  and  valuable 
services  of  Major  Munroe,  chief  of  artillery,  and  Captains 
Washington,  4th  artillery,  and  Sherman  and  Bragg,  3d  artil- 
lery, commanding  batteries,  I  deem  it  no  more  than  just,  to 
mention  all  the  subordinate  officers.  They  were  nearly  all 
detached  at  different  times,  and  in  every  situation  exhibited 
conspicuous  skill  and  gallantry.  Capt.  O'Brien,*  Lieuts. 
Brent,  Whiting,  and  Couch,  4th  artillery,  and  Bryan,  Topo- 
graphical Engineers  (slightly  wounded),  were  attached  to 
Capt.  Washington's  battery.  Lieuts.  Thomas,  Reynolds, 
and  French,  3d  artillery  (severely  wounded),  to  that  of  Capt. 

*  This  gallant  officer  lost  three  cannon  during  the  day ;  and  the  possession  of  these 
enabled  Santa  Anna,  in  his  flowing  dispatch,  to  conceal  his  terrible  defeat,  by  claim- 
ing a  victory.  The  first  one  was  lost  in  the  attack  on  the  plateau  by  Gen.  Pacheco. 
from  the  fact  that  the  horses  and  cannoneers  were  all  killed  or  disabled,  so  that  it 
could  not  be  brought  off. — The  other  two  were  lost  in  the  main  and  last  attack  on  the 
centre,  by  the  whole  disposable  Mexican  force  under  Gen.  Perez.  Capt.  O'Brien  sac- 
rificed these  guns  by  intention ;  keeping  the  enemy  in  check  by  them,  until  the  other 
artillery  and  infantry  arrived,  and  the  regiments  of  infantry  concentrated,  pouring  a 
deadly  fire  on  the  massive  column.  The  situation  of  the  artillery  is  not  placed  in  the 
picture,  for,  save  the  battery  at  A,  they  were  continually  back  and  forth,  over  the 
whole  ground,  during  the  day.  The  battery  of  Capt.  Bragg  discharged  about  two 
hundred  and  fifty  rounds  of  round  shot,  grape  and  cannister ;  the  other  batteries 
nearly  the  same.  The  infantry  regiments  discharged  from  seventy  to  ninety  rounds 
of  cartridges  per  man,  during  the  same  time. 


CONDUCT   OF   OFFICERS   AND   TROOPS.  479 

Sherman ;  and  Capt.  Shover,  and  Lieut.  Kilburn,  3d  artil- 
lery, to  that  of  Capt.  Bragg. — Capt.  Shover,  in  conjunction 
with  Lieut.  Donaldson,  rendered  gallant  and  important  ser- 
vice in  repulsing  the  cavalry  of  Gen.  Minon.  The  regular 
cavalry,  under  Lieut.  Col.  May,  with  which  was  associated 
Capt.  Pike's  squadron  of  Arkansas  horse,  rendered  useful  ser- 
vice in  holding  the  enemy  in  check,  and  in  covering  the  bat- 
teries, at  several  points.  Capt.  Steen,  1st  dragoons,  was 
severely  wounded  early  in  the  day,  while  gallantly  endeav- 
oring, with  my  authority,  to  rally  the  troops  \vhich  were 
falling  in  the  rear. 

"  The  Mississippi  riflemen,  under  Col.  Davis,  were  highly 
conspicuous  for  their  gallantry  and  steadiness,  and  sustain- 
ed, throughout  the  engagement,  the  reputation  of  veteran 
troops.  Brought  into  action  against  an  immensely  superior 
force,  they  maintained  themselves  for  a  long  time,  unsup- 
ported, and  with  heavy  loss,  and  held  an  important  part  of 
the  field  until  reinforced.  Col.  Davis,  though  severely  woun- 
ded, remained  in  his  saddle  until  the  close  of  the  action. — 
His  distinguished  coolness  and  gallantry  at  the  head  of  his 
regiment  on  this  day  entitle  him  to  the  particular  notice  of 
the  government.  The  3d  Indiana  regiment,*  under  Col. 
Lane,  and  a  fragment  of  the  2d,  under  Col.  Bowles,  were  as- 
sociated with  the  Mississippi  regiment  during  a  greater  por- 
tion of  the  day,  and  acquitted  themselves  creditably  in  re- 
pulsing the  attempts  of  the  enemy  to  take  that  portion  of 
our  line.  The  Kentucky  cavalry,  under  Col.  Marshall,  ren- 
dered good  service  dismounted,  acting  as  light  troops  on  our 

•This  3d  Indiana  was,  on  the  morning  of  the  23d,  stationed  not  far  in  rear  of  Wash- 
ington's battery,  A,  save«two  companies  of  rifles,  who,  in  command  of  Major  Gorman> 
fought  on  the  mountain  under  Col.  Marshall. — Major  Gorman  also  had  two  rifle  com- 
panies, of  the  2d  Indiana.  This  3d  regiment,  under  Col.  Lane,  fought,  during  the 
day,  principally  on  the  left,  with  the  other  regiments  here  engaged,  against  Pacheco's 
strong  column,  and  at  the  last  heavy  charge,  together  with  the  Mississippians  and  the 
rallied  part  of  the  2d  Indiana,  moved  rapidly  to  the  plateau,  D  E  F,  and  by  their  de- 
structive fire  hastened  the  enemy's  retreat.  The  conduct  of  this  regiment  was  of  the 
most  spirited  character.  The  repulse  of  the  heavy  column  of  lancers  in  the  morning, 
by  these  and  the  Mississippians,  was  among  the  most  brilliant  exploits  of  this  day 
of  continued  astonishing  achievements  of  valor  and  constancy.  Although  much  ex- 
posed for  the  whole  day,  the  loss  of  the  regiment  was  not  very  severe ;  being  nine  killed, 
and  fifty-six  wounded. 


480  CONDUCT   OF   OFFICERS  AND  TROOPS. 

left,  and  afterwards,  with  a  portion  of  the  Arkansas  regiment 
in  meeting  and  dispersing  the  column  of  cavalry  at  Buena 
VTista.  The  1st  and  2d  Illinois  and  the  2d  Kentucky  regi- 
ments served  immediately  under  my  eye,  and  I  bear  a  wil- 
ling testimony  to  their  excellent  conduct  throughout  the  day. 
The  spirit  and  gallantry  with  which  the  1st  Illinois*  and  2d 
Kentucky  engaged  the  enemy  in  the  morning  restored  confi- 
dence to  that  part  of  the  field,  while  the  list  of  casualties 
will  show  how  much  these  three  regiments  suffered  in  sus- 
taining the  heavy  charge  of  the  enemy  in  the  afternoon. — 
Capt.  Conner's  company  of  Texas  volunteers,  attached  to 
the  2d  Illinois  regiment,  fought  bravely,  its  captain  being 
wounded  and  two  subalterns  killed. f  Col.  Bissell,  the  only 
surviving  colonel  of  these  regiments,  merits  notice  for  his 
coolness  and  bravery  on  this  occasion.  After  the  fall  of  the 
field  officers  of  the  1st  Illinois  and  2d  Kentucky  regiments, 
the  command  of  the  former  devolved  on  Lieut.  Col.  Weather- 
ford,  and  that  of  the  latter  on  Major  Fry. 

"  Regimental  commanders,  and  others  who  have  rendered 
reports,  speak  in  general  terms  of  the  good  conduct  of  their 
officers  and  men,  and  have  specified  many  names ;  but  the 
limits  of  this  report  forbid  a  recapitulation  of  them  here.  I 
may,  however,  mention  Lieuts.  Rucker  and  Campbell  of  the 
dragoons,  and  Capt.  Pike,  of  the  Arkansas  cavalry,  upon 

*  The  coolness  and  intrepidity  of  this  1st  Illinois,  under  their  heroic  colonel,  could 
not  be  excelled.  During  the  night  of  the  22d,  six  companies  of  it,  under  Col.  Har- 
din,  occupied  the  hill,  C,  and  two  companies,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Weatherford,  were  sta- 
tioned to  the  right  of  A,  to  protect  Washington's  battery  there.  Two  other  companies 
had  been  detached,  under  Major  Warren,  to  hold,  with  other  troops,  the  possession  of 
the  city  of  Saltillo.  When  Col.  Hardin  led  his  command  from  C,  upon  the  plateau 
D  E  F,  to  take  a  part  in  the  tremendous  action  there  going  on,  he  commenced  his 
gallant  operations  by  a  spirited  charge  of  bayonets  upon  a  heavy  body  of  the  enemy, 
in  which — killing  and  wounding  great  numbers  of  them — he  drove  them  in  confusion 
back  over  a  deep  ravine  they  had  crossed.  Though  this  regiment,  like  the  2d  Illinois 
and  2d  Kentucky,  with  which  it  fought  during  the  day,  was  exposed  continually  to  a 
most  terrible  fire,  and  many  of  its  men  were  wounded,  yet  none  were  killed  until  the 
last  concentrated  effort  of  the  enemy  ;  but  in  this,  as  in  the  subsequent  pursuit,  they 
suffered  much.  They  captured  the  colors  of  the  Mexican  corps  from  the  city  of  San 
Luis  Potosi. — Loss  of  the  regiment  during  the  day,  30  killed  and  25  wounded. 

•f-  The  loss  of  this  gallant  company  of  Texans  was  very  severe,  in  proportion  to 
their  numbers,  being  14  killed,  2  wounded,  and  7  missing.  Well  did  the  little  body 
maintain  the  reputation  of  their  state  throughout  the  day. 


CONDUCT  OF  OFFICERS  AND   TROOPS.  481 

whom  the  command  devolved  after  the  fall  of  Col.  Yell ;  Ma- 
jor Bradford,  Capt.  Sharpe,  (severely  wounded),  and  Adj. 
Griffith,  Mississippi  regiment ;  Lieut.  Robinson,  aid-de-camp 
to  Gen.  Lane ;  Lieut.  Col  Weatherford,  1st  Illinois  regiment; 
Lieut.  Col.  Morrison,  Major  Trail,  and  Adj.  Whiteside  (se- 
verely wounded)  2d  Illinois  regiment,  and  Major  Fry,  of  the 
2d  Kentucky  regiment,  as  being  favorably  noticed  for  gal- 
lantry and  good  conduct.  Major  McCulloch,  quartermaster 
in  the  volunteer  service,  rendered  important  services  before 
the  engagement,  in  the  command  of  a  spy  company,  and, 
during  the  affair,  was  associated  with  the  regular  cavalry. — 
To  Major  Warren,  1st  Illinois  volunteers,  I  feel  much  indebt- 
ed, for  his  firm  and  judicious  course  while  exercising  com- 
mand in  the  city  of  Saltillo. 

"  The  medical  staff,  under  the  able  direction  of  Assistant- 
surgeon  Hitchcock,  were  assiduous  in  attention  to  the  woun- 
ded upon  the  field,  and  in  their  careful  removal  to  the  rear. 
Both  in  these  respects,  and  in  the  subsequent  organization 
and  service  of  the  hospitals,  the  administration  of  this  de- 
partment was  everything  that  could  be  desired. 

"  Brig.  Gen.  Wool  speaks  in  high  terms  of  the  officers  of  his 
staff,  and  I  take  pleasure  in  mentioning  them  here,  having 
witnessed  their  activity  and  zeal  upon  the  field.  Lieut^and 
Aid-de-camp  McDowell,  Col.  Churchill,  inspector  general, 
Capt.  Chapman,  assistant  quartermaster,  Lieut.  Sitgreaves, 
Topographical  Engineers,  and  Capts.  Howard  and  Davis, 
volunteer  service,  are  conspicuously  noticed  for  their  gal- 
lantry and  good  conduct.  Messrs.  March,  Addicks,  Potts, 
Harrison,  Burgess  and  Dusenberg,  attached  in  various  ca- 
pacities to  Gen.  Wool's  headquarters,  are  likewise  mentioned 
for  their  intelligent  alacrity  in  conveying  orders  to  all  parts 
of  the  field. 

"  In  conclusion,  I  beg  leave  to  speak  of  my  ow7n  staff,  to 
whose  exertions  in  rallying  troops  and  communicating  orders 
I  feel  greatly  indebted.  Major  Bliss,  assistant  adjutant-gen- 
eral, Capt.  J.  H.  Eaton  and  Lieut.  Garnett,  aids-de-camp, 
served  near  my  person,  and  were  prompt  and  zealous  in  the 
discharge  of  every  duty.  Major  Munroe,  besides  rendering 
valuable  service  as  chief  of  artillery,  was  active  and  /nstru- 
31 


482  CONDUCT  OF   OFFICERS  AND   TROOPS. 

mental,  as  were  also  colonels  Churchill  and  Belknap,  inspec- 
tors general,  in  rallying  troops  and  disposing  them  for  the 
defence  of  the  train  and  baggage.  Col.  Whiting,  quarter- 
master-general, and  Capt.  Eaton,  chief  of  the  subsistence  de- 
partment, were  engaged  with  the  duties  of  their  departments, 
and  also  served  in  my  immediate  staff  on  the  field.  Capt. 
Sibley,  as  assistant  quartermaster,  was  necessarily  left  with 
the  headquarter  camp  near  town,  where  his  services  were 
highly  useful.  Major  Mansfield  and  Lieut.  Benham,  engi- 
neers, and  Capt.  Linnard  and  lieutenants  Pope  and  Franklin, 
topographical  engineers,  were  employed  before  and  during 
the  engagement  in  making  reconnoissances,  and  on  the  field 
were  very  active  in  bringing  information  and  in  conveying 
my  orders  to  distant  points.  Lieut.  Kingsbury,  in  addition 
to  his  proper  duties  as  ordnance  officer,  Capt.  Chilton,  assist- 
ant quartermaster,  and  majors  Dix  and  Coffee,  served  also 
as  extra  aids-de-camp,  and  were  actively  employed  in  the 
transmission  of  orders.  Mr.  Thomas  L.  Crittenden,  of  Ken- 
tucky, though  not  in  service,  volunteered  as  my  aid-de-camp 
on  this  occasion,  and  served  with  credit  in  that  capacity. 
Major  Craig,  chief  of  ordnance,  and  Surgeon  Craig,  medical 
director,  had  been  detached  on  duty  from  headquarters,  and 
did  not  reach  the  ground  until  the  morning  of  the  24th — too 
,iate  to  participate  in  the  action,  but  in  time  to  render  useful 
services  in  their  respective  departments  of  the  staff. 

"  I  respectfully  enclose  returns  of  the  troops  engaged,  and 
of  casualties  incident  to  the  battle. 

"  I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  ob't  serv't 

"Z.  TAYLOR,  Maj.  Gen.  U.  S.  A.  Com'g. 
"  To  THE  ADJUTANT  GENERAL  OF  THE  ARMY, 

"  Washington,  D.  C." 

And  so  ended  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista,  in  which  the  vol- 
unteer troops  had  shown  themselves  equal  to  veterans ; — 
and  they  established  the  truth,  that  it  is  not  discipline  alone 
that  makes  the  soldier,  but  that  the  heroism  of  the  heart,  the 
pride  of  character,  the  self-reliance,  and  the  love  of  country 
which  the  volunteers  pre-eminently  possessed,  are  most  val- 
uable qualifications  on  the  battle-field. — The  loss  of  these 


MEXICAN   COUNCIL  OF  WAR.  483 

volunteer  regiments  is  given  in  notes  below,*  from  the  offi- 
cial reports. 

Santa  Anna,  satisfied  that  he  could  not  conquer  Gen. 
Taylor,  called  a  council  of  war  at  Agua  Nueva,  to  which  he 
had  retired  after  the  battle,  and  it  was  by  that  unanimously 
determined  to  abandon  the  plan  of  operations  which  had 

*  MISSISSIPPI    REGIMENT KILLED    AND    WOUNDED. 

Col.  Jefferson  Davis  was  wounded  through  ihe  foot,  just  below  the  ankle,  while  on  horse- 
back, charging  upon  the  enemy. 

WILKINSON   COUNTY  VOLUNTEERS. 

Killed— B,  G.  Pwiberville,  Thomas  H.  Pitley,  Wm.  H.  AVilkinson,  Seaborne  Jones. 
Wounded — Lieut.  C.   Posey,  very  slightly ;   Solomon  Nowman,  James  M.  Miller,  G.  H. 
Jones,  W.  Spurlock,  W.  A.  Lawrence,  J.  W.  Donnelly,  slightly. 

TAZOO   VOLUNTEERS. 

Killed — Sergeant  W.  Ingram,  C.  C.  Sullivan. 

Wounded— Capt.  Sharp,  Henry  Clark,  W.  H.  Stubblefield,  severely  ;  Sergeant  D.  Hollinge- 
worth,  Steph.  Stubblefield,  R.  G.  Shocks,  slightly ;  George  Brooks,  mortally. 

RAYMOND     FENCIBLES. 

Kitted— Lieut.  F.  McNulty,  J.  S.  Bond,  J.  N.  Graves,  W.  Seay,  R.  E.  Parr,  J.  M.  Alexander, 
R.  Feltz,  G.  A.  Cooper. 

Wounded — R.  S.  Edwards,  severely  ;  J.  Hammond,  P.  Rurrett,  P.  Sinclair,  W.  G.  Harrison, 
H.  A.  Neely,  slightly. 

STATE  FENCIBLES. 

Killed — Sergeants  Wm.  Philips  and  James  Langford,  corporals  Frank  Robinson  and  Joseph 
Revell,  Robert  Jayce,  William  Sellers. 

Wounded — Richard  Clauds,  A.  Puckett,  severely  ;  John  Kennedy,  Isham  C.  Lord,  Robert 
Fox,  James  Waugh,  slightly. 

MARSHALL  GUARDS. 

Kitted — Sergeant  G.  Anderson,  Henry  Trotter,  John  S.  Branch,  A.  Collingsworth,  John 
Peace. 

Hounded— Sergeant  P.  Martin,  John  Hedthpeth,  severely ;  T.  O.  McClanah.au,  T.  D.  Ran- 
dolph, John  Bass,  slightly. 

VICKSBTTRG  SOUTHERNERS. 

Killed— Wm.  Couch,  Richard  Eggleston,  James  Johnson,  John  Preston. 
Wounded — Sergeant  Howard  Morris,  James  W.  Conn,  severely ;  Sergeant  Wm.  A.  Scott, 
Corporal  J.  McLaughlin,  Samuel  C.  Suit,  J.  N.  Collier,  John  Barnes,  L.  H.  Stevens. 

VICKSBURG  VOLUNTEERS. 

Killed — Lieut.  R.  G.  Mooned,  Fletcher  Harrison,  P.  Raridon,  Jacob  Block. 
Wounded — Thomas  White,  dangerously ;  Wm.  Winans,  S.  Edwards,  Henry  Lowell,  se- 
verely; Dr.  S.  D.  Carson,  A.  Ilenman,  slightly. 

LAFAYETTE  COMPANY. 

Kitted — Sergeant  B.  Hagan,  Corporals  James  Blakeley  and  M.  Butler,  Stephen  Jones,  Enos 
Garrett,  P.  Doniphan. 

Wounded — James  Bigley,  arm  lost ;  J.  G.  Simpson,  Wm.  Courtney,  James  W.  Morriss,  se- 
verely; Lieut.  J.  P.  Stepford,  J.  F.  Malone,  slightly. 

The  Tombigbee  and  Carroll  Companies  were  left  in  charge  of  the  camp. 

RECAPITULATION.  Killed.  Wounded. 

Wilkinson  county  volunteers 5 7 

Yazoo  county  volunteers 2 '/ 

Raymond   Fencibles 8 6 

State  Fencibles 6 6 

Marshall  Guards 6 5 

Vicksburg  Southerners •••& 8 

Vicksburg   Volunteers 5 6 

Lafayette  Company 6 6 

Tetml, 42 51 


484  RETREAT  OF  GEN.  SANTA  ANNA. 

been  commenced,  and  retreat  to  the  south  and  towards  San 
Luis  Potosi ;  which  was  immediately  done,  not,  however, 
nntil  an  exchange  of  prisoners  had  been  effected. 

Leaving  that  general,  with  his  shattered  and  disorganized 
army,  marching  back,  let  us  for  a  moment  turn  to  the  opera- 
tions of  Gen.  Urrea,  who,  as  before  stated,  had  been  sent  up 

KEXTUCKIANS    KILLED    ASD    WOUNDED. 
KENTUCKY   CAVALRY. — KILLED. 

Adjutant— E.  M.  Vaughan. 

IMlariTs  company — Sergeant  D.  J.Lillard  ;  privates  Lewis  Sander  and  A.  J.  Martin. 

Price's  company — Privates  J.  D.  Miller,  B.  Warren. 

Milam's  company — Privates  J.  Lesion,  John  Sander,  JolA  Ellingwood. 

Shawhan's  company — Corporal  J.  A.  Jones;  privates  D.  P.  Rogers,  W.  McClintock,  J 
Ponaeroy. 

Beard?!  company — Privates  A.  G.  Morgan,  C.  Jones,  Wm.  Twaits,  N.  Ranney,  H.  Carty 
and  W.  W.  Bates,  corporal. 

Pennington's  company — Privates  H.  Danforth.  J.  G.  Martin,  E.  Houston,  J.  M.  Rowlin,  John 
Ross,  E.  F.  Lilley. 

Clay's  company — Private  Thomas  Weyest. 

Htaily's  company — Private  C.  B.  Thompson. 

Marshall's  company — Private  C.  B.  Demit 

Commissioned  officer,  1 ;  non-commissioned  officers,  3 ;  privates,  25 — total  29. 

WOUNDED. 

Captain — John  Shawhan. 

Shawhan's  company — Privates  Wm.  Snodgrass,  J.  S.  Byram,  W.  C.  Parker,  J.  M.  Van- 
book,  George  H.  Wilson,  James  Warford,  C.  H.  Fowler. 

Heady's  company — 2d  Lieut.  J.  H.  Merrifield,  Sergeant  S.  Marratin 

Clay's  company — 3d  Lieut.  J.  M.  Brown,  Corporal  James  Scooley. 

Price's  company — 2d  Lieut.  Thomas  Conn,  privates  John  H.  Cleverlan,  Samuel  Evan,  Joseph 
Murphy  and  Will  Herndon. 

LillarcTs  company — Privates  John  Walker,  B.  Spencer,  E.  W.  Ruson,  and  Thos.  Scandelt 

Milam's  company — John  Reddish.  B.  F.  Price,  J.  K.  Goodloe. 

Pennington's  company — Privates  J.  S.  Jackson,  Thomas  Brown,  L.  Help. 

Marshall's  company — Private  H.  E.  Brady. 

Beard's  company — Privates  Charles  Sheppard.  J.  Sheppard,  M.  B.  Callahan, Lerasay. 

Commissioned  officers,  4  ;  non  commissioned  officers,  2 .  privates  26. — Total,  32. 

SECOND   KENTUCKY   INFANTRY. — KILLED. 

Col.  Wm.  R.  McKee,  Lieut.  Col  Henry  Clay,  Jr. 

Company  A,  Mosse's—  Privates  Whitfield  Smith,  A  B.  Crondowens. 

Company  B,  Chambers^ — 4th  Sergeant  Henry  Wolf;  Privates  Maj.  Updike,  Wm.  Black 
well,  L.  B.  BartletL 

Company  C,  Thompson's — 1st  Sergeant  S.  M.  Williams.  Privates  Robert  M.  Baker,  W 
Booth,  Wm.  Burks,  John  Moffit. 

Company  D,  Fry's — 4th  Corporal  Peter  Trough.  Privates  Joseph  Walden,  Harvey  Jones. 
Wm.  llarman. 

Company  E,  Cutters — 1st  Corporal  J.  Q.  Carlan;  Drummer.  Martin  Raudebaugh.  Privates 
Hiram  Frazer,  John  H.  Harkins,  Richard  McCnrdy,  Hercules  Snow. 

Company  F,  Willis's— Capt.  W.  T.  Willis.    Private  Harry  Trotter. 

Company  G,  Daughfrty's — Privates  John  A.  Gregory,  Joseph  R.  Ballard,  Willis  Vest,  Jesse 
J.  Waller. 

Company  H.  Joyner's — 2d  Sergeant  Joseph  King,  3d  Sergeant  John  M.  Dunlop.  Privates 
Wm.  Rhann,  John  Williams. 

Company  I.  Tttrpln's—  1st  Sergeant  Henry  Edwards.  Privates  John  J.  Torron,  Abram 
Ooodpaster. 

Company  K,  McBrey's — Privates  Jas.  Layton,  Wm.  Brand,  James  Johnson,  David  Davi» 
Arthur  Thacker,  John  W.  Watson.  Wm.  P.  Reynolds 


OPERATIONS   OF   GEN.  URREA.  485 

on  the  east  side  of  the  mountains,  to  attack  the  American 
forces  near  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  to  act  in  the 
anticipated  pursuit  of  the  routed  Americans  of  Gen.  Taylor's 
army. 

Gen.  Urrea  reached  the  main  road  from  Monterey  to  Ca- 
margo,  near  Marin,  about  the  22d  instant,  and  joining  forces 

ILLINOISANS    KILLED    AND    WOUNDED. 

SECOND   KENTUCKY   INFANTRY. — WOUNDED. 

Company  A — 2d  Lieut.  E.  L.  Barber,  slightly ;  Sergeant  John  Minton,  do.  Privates  Elza 
Morris,  Samuel  Wallace,  Robert  Winlock  and  James  Barnett,  all  slightly. 

Company  B — 1st  Corporal  Sandfbrd  Mayhall,  mortally ;  private  Benjamin  O.  Branham,  se- 
verely;  James  Williams,  W.  S.  Bartlett  and  Ameal  Brea.  slightly. 

Company  C — Adj.  2d  Lieut.  Wm.  T.  Withers,  severely ;  3d  Corporal  C.  C.  Sneadlay,  slight- 
ly; 3d  Sergeant  John  Wheatley.  do.;  privates  Edward  Benton,  James  Cahill,  John  Crawford 
and  Marion  Davidson,  slightly  ;  Woodson  Hendron,  mortally  ;  W.  D.  Purcell,  slightly. 

Company  D — 2d  Corporal  J.  Craig,  slightly;  privates  H.  Burditt,  mortally;  P.  Humbletou, 
Allen  S.  Montgomery  and  Henry  Vanfleet,  severely. 

Company  E — 4th  Corporal  John  Jennison,  privates  Thomas  Welch  and  John  S.  Vaudiver, 
•everely  ;  privates  Jasper  Honk,  Wm.  Park,  David  Walker  and  Isaac  Yeltoii,  slightly. 

Company  F — Privates  John  Hunter,  severely  ;  Thomas  J.  Bruner,  slightly. 

Company  G — Ass't  Adj.  2d  Lieut.  Thomas  W.  Napier  and  privates  Wm.  Stinger  and  Thoa. 
Hughes,  severely ;  M.  A.  Devanport,  slightly. 

Company  H — Sergeant  J.  Ward,  mortally  ;  Corporal  H.  Craig,  slightly  ;  privates  F.  Oak, 
mortally;  F.  Fox,  Wm.  Dalley,  R.  Holden,  J.  Willington  and  G.  Simmons,  slightly. 

Company  I—  Privates  J.  Redmon,  E.  McCulloh  and  W.  Blowelt,  slightly;  E.  S.  Cahill, 
mortally. 

Company  K — Sergeant  W.  Lilliard,  severely  ;  privates  B.  Perry,  do.;  W.  Waford,  mortally; 
G.  Leavy,  W.  Howard  and  J.  Montgomery,  slightly. 

MISSING. — Private  Jackson  Catlett. 

RECAPITULATION.— Staff.  2 ;  killed,  42;  wounded,  57;  missing,!. — Total,  102. 

GRAND  TOTAL. 

Killed  and  wounded  in  cavalry  regiment 61 

"  "  2dinfanlry    «        102 

Kentuckhuis  killed  and  wounded  at  Buena  Vista 163 

FIRST  REGIMENT  OF   ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS. 

Killed — Colonel :  John  J.  Hardin.  Captain :  Jacob  W.  Zabriskie.  First  Lieutenant :  Bryan 
R.  Houghton.  Principal  Musician  :  Austin  W.  Fay.  Privates:  company  B,  Francis  Carter; 
•ompany  C,  Merrit  Hudson  ;  company  D,  Augustus  Canaught,  John  Emerson  ;  company 
E,  Silas  Bedell,  Henry  H.  Clark,  William  Goodwin,  James  J.  Kinman,  Randolph  R.  Mar- 
tin, Greenbury  S.  Richardson,  Samuel  W.  Thompson,  Charles  Walker;  company  H,  EliasC. 
Mays,  Matthew  Dandy,  William  Smith,  Thomas  J.  Gilbert,  John  White ;  company  K,  John  B. 
Bachman,  Ingharat  Claibsoltle,  Conrad  Burrh,  John  Gable,  Aaron  Kiersted,  Joseph  Shutt, 
William  Vankleharker,  George  Pitson. 

Wounded — Privates:  company  D,  Michael  Fenton,  badly ;  Jas. T. Edson.  slightly,  Francis 
Qmnn,  slightly ;  Potter  Clemens,  slightly.  Company  C,  Corporal :  Patrick  Mehan,  badly.  Pri- 
vate: Jas.  Robins,  slightly.  Company  D,  Sergeant:  John  C.  Barr,  badly.  Private:  Albert 
Kershaw,  badly;  company  E,  Watson  R.  Richardson,  badly;  William  Stevenson,  badly; 
company  F,  Job  Brown,  slightly.  Second  Lieutenant :  Hezekiah  Evans,  slightly.  Company 
H,  privates:  Jackson  Evans,  slightly;  William  Roe,  slightly;  Daniel  Penser,  badly;  com- 
pany K.  Geo.  Slack,  slightly;  Frederick  Rekow.  badly.  First  Lieutenant:  John  L.  McCon- 
nell,  slightly.  Privates :  Robins,  slightly,  serving  with  company  B,  4lh  artillery,  Washing- 
ton's battery;  Brown,  slightly,  do.,  Richardson,  do.;  Ralco,  do.;  Duff,  do.;  McLean,  do. 
Phillip*,  tlo. 


486     CAPTURE  OF   WAGON  TRAIN  BY   CANALES   AND  URREA. 

with  the  notorious  Canales,  attacked  a  wagon  train  of  one 
hundred  and  ten  wagons,  loaded  with  provisions,  &c.,  for  the 
army ;  and  some  three  hundred  pack  mules,  belonging  to 
merchants.  The  detachment,  of  about  thirty  Kentuckians, 
under  Lieut.  Barbour,  who  guarded  this  train,  were  surround- 
ed by  numbers  and  taken  prisoners;  the  train  was  captured, 

1MUAMAVS    KILLED     AM)    WOUNDED. 
SECOND   REGIMENT   ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS. 

Killed — Captain:  Woodward.  Lieutenants:  A.  B  Rountree,  Fletcher,  Ferguson,  Robbing, 
Steel,  T.  Kelley,  Bartleson,  Atherton.  Price.  Privates:  company  A,  William  Kenyon;  Wil- 
liam L.  Smith.  Corporal :  company  C,  Hibbs.  Privates :  Woodling,  Patton,  Therman,  Me- 
Michel;  company  E.  Gable ;  D.  O'Conner;  company  H,  Lortz;  Couze,  Cruesman,  Schoolcraft; 
company  I,  Lear,  Davis,  Cook,  Bradley,  McCrury,  G.  Clark.  Hogan,  Squires ;  company  K,  Ab- 
ernathy,  W.  M.  Jones,  Bonner,  Kinsey,  S.  C.  Marlow.  Robert  Marlow,  Wilkes,  Ragland,  W. 
S.  Jones;  company  G,  Jenkins,  Hill.  Company  B,  First  Sergeant:  Faysoux.  Privates:  Em- 
merson,  Kizer,  Durock,  Crippen. 

Wounded — Captains :  Coffee,  Baker.  Lieutenants :  company  B,  John  A.  Pickell,  Engle- 
man,  West.  Adjutant :  Whiteside.  Sergeant :  company  A,  J.  W.  Farmer.  Privates:  Aul- 
dridge,  Burnet,  Bird,  Cooper,  Cheek,  Dempsey,  Hatchings,  J.  T.  Lee,  Mansker,  Pate,  G.  W. 
Rainy,  Robins,  White.  Sergeant:  company  C.  Brown.  Privates:  Burke.  Bryant,  Clarage, 
Early,  Feake,  Foills,  Fletcher,  J.  N.  Nolland.  Montgomery,  Ricketts,  Maxwell,  H.  C.  Smith, 
Van  Camp,  Dwyer,  Tidd,  Fisher ;  company  E,  Hill,  Riley,  Robinson,  Wright ;  company  H, 
Bordauz,  Irridges,  Felameir,  Funk,  Gerhard,  Ledergcrber,  Ranneberg,  Talbot,  Traenkle,  Upp- 
man.  First  Sergeant :  company  I,  Reid.  Privates:  Henkler.  White,  Murmert,  Fisher,  Kell, 
Strong,  McMurty,  Warcheim,  Hiltonan ;  company  K,  G.  T.  Montage,  Hamilton,  Hoge,  Kel- 
Jey,  R.  Marlow,  John  Ragland,  N.  Ramsey ;  company  G,  Wiley,  Me  Lain  ;  company -B,  Scott, 
Goodale.  Quartermaster  Sergeant :  Buckmaster.  Sergeant  Major :  Ketter. 

Musing — Privates  :  company  H,  Mellen,  Sinsel;  company  G,  Messinger. 

COMPANY  TEXAS  VOLUNTEERS. 

Killed — First  Lieutenant :  Campbell.  Second  Lieutenant :  Leonard.  Corporals:  Voort  and 
King.  Privates :  Clark,  Donovan,  Donohoe,  Forche,  Hazes,  Godvin,  Finney,  McLean,  Klinge 
and  Lagston. 

Wounded — Captain  :  Conner.    Private  :  Freaekind. 

Missing — Sergeant :  Donop.  Corporal :  Brand.  Privates :  Gillerman,  Bruno,  Miller,  Smith 
and  Larlg. 

INDIANA  VOLUNTEERS — BRIGADE  STAFF. 

Wounded — Brig.  Gen.  Joseph  Lane,  slightly. 

SECOND   REGIMENT   INDIANA   VOUTNTEEM. 

Killed— Capts.  T.  B.  Kinder  and  Wm.  Walker;  2d  Lieut.  Thomas  C.  Parr;  Sergean. 
McHenry  Dozier,  company  E ;  Privates  Francis  Bailey,  Chas.  H.  Goff.  Warren  Robinson,  and 
A.  Stephens,  company  A ;  John  Shoultz,  J.  Lafferty,  A.  Massey,  D.  McDonald,  and  J.  T. 
Hardin,  company  B;  M.  Lee,  W.  Richardson,  and  J.  H.  Sladen,  company  D  ;  W.  Akin,  and 
J.  B.  D.  Dillon,  company  E;  H.  Matthews  and  J.  H.  Wilson,  company  F;  H.  Draper,  R  Jen- 
kins, and  T.  Price,  company  H;  R.  Havritt,  and  H.  M.  Campbell,  company  I ;  J.  C.  Hig- 
ginbolharn,  A.  Jenkins,  G.  Chapman,  O.  Lansburg,  E.  Wyatt,  T.  Smith,  and  J.  Teasley 
company  K. 

Wounded— Capts.  W.  L.  Sanderson  and  John  Osborn,  both  slightly ;  1st  Lieuts.  S.  W.  Cayce, 
and  J.  Davis,  both  slightly  ;  2d  Lieuts.  H.  Pennington,  D.  S.  Lewis,  J.  Moore,  and  J.  A  Epper- 
son, all  slightly ;  Sergeants  A.  H.  Potts,  company  D,  J.  Carathers  and  V.  Vestal,  company  F, 
and  P.  D.  Kelse,  company  G,  all  slightly ;  Corporals  E.  Macdonald,  company  B,  nnd  D.  C. 
Thomas,  company  D,  both  badly ;  Corporals  A.  B.  Carlton,  N.  B.  Stevens,  and  J.  l!i  »hop,  com- 
pany F,  all  slightly ;  Corporals  T.  Rawlins,  company  G.  slightly,  and  H.  Wilson,  company  H, 
severely;  Musician  A.  M.  Woods,  company  D,  slightly;  Sergeant  E.  Blalock,  company  G, 
badly  ;  Private  T.  Goen,  company  F,  slightly ;  H.  Mulvany.  M.  Queen,  and  J.  McMillon.  com- 
pany G,  all  slightly ;  W.  Adams,  W.  Bencfiel,  R.  Colbert,  and  V.  Swain,  company  H,  ail 
•ererely;  J.  Ingle,  A.  Smith,  and  W.  D.  Wier,  company  H,  slightly;  N.  Rumley,  company 
I,  badly ;  G.  McKnight  and  G.  Wilharl,  company  K,  slightly  ;  A.  C.  Farris,  company  K,  badly. 


CRREA'S   ATTACK   ON   SECOND  OHIO  REGIMENT.  48% 

fifty  of  the  teamsters  massacred,  and  the  wagons  burnt;  the 
remainder  of  the  wagoners  escaping  to  the  mountains. 

On  the  23d,  Urrea  attacked  Lieut.  Col.  Irvin's  command 
of  2d  Ohioans,  at  Marin,  but  retired  from  before  the  town  on 
the  morning  of  the  25th    on  the  approach  of  Maj.  Shepherd, 
from  Monterey,  with  three  companies  of  the  first  Kentucky 

AHKAXSAS    THOOPS    KlLLl.il    AND    WOUNDED. 

Missing — Privates  J.  Brown  and  J.  H.  Harrison,  company  B ;  W.  Spalding,  company  D 
6.  Hubbard,  company  I. 

THIRD  REGIMENT  INDIANA  VOLUNTEERS. 

KiUed— Capt.  J.  Taggart ;  Privates,  company  A,  J.  M.  Buskirk,  W.  B.  Holland,  D.  J.  Stout ; 
company  C,  J.  Armstrong ;  company  D,  W.  Hueston ;  company  F,  D.  Owens  and  W.  C 
Good ;  company  G,  J.  Graham. 

Wounded — Major  W.  A.  Gorman,  slightly ;  Capts.  J.  M.  Sleep  and  V.  Conover,  slightly 
Corporal  R.  K.  Nelson,  company  A,  slightly  ;  Privates,  company  A,  J.  S.  Levo,  severely,  W 
G.  Applegate,  J.  Y.  Davis,  J.  W.  Pullim,  and  J.  Knight,  slightly  j  Corporal  J.  Gringrich,  com- 
pany B,  slightly ;  privates,  J.  Faulkner,  dangerously  H.  Hind,  jr.,  H.  C.  Hoyt,  D.  Conroy,  and 
T.  H  Bowen,  slightly  j  company  C,  J.  Voight,  dangerously,  P.  Lain,  M.  Cole,  F.  Aubke,  A 
Armstrong,  J.  Orchard,  and  G.  Miller,  slightly  ;  Corporal  R.  Torrance,  company  D,  slightly; 
privates  T.  Gustin,  severely,  J.  Hinkle,  J.  Rochat,  E.  Bright,  and  A.  Merrill,  slightly;  Cor- 
poral E.  Weddel,  company  E,  severely ;  privates,  J.  Brown,  and  M.  Mathis,  severely,  S.  Fred, 
J.  G.  Arter,  and  S.  Stuart,  slightly ;  company  F,  J.  C.  Burton,  seriously,  O.  Dyer,  J  Inskeep, 
D.  Hunter,  D.  Coughenower,  H.  C.  Riker,  and  Corporal  J.  S.  Wilson,  slightly ;  company  G, 
J.  Meek,  seriously,  E.  Mace,  J.  Patterson,  and  J.  Cain,  slightly ;  company  H,  R.  Benson,  and 
J.  Kelley,  severely  ;  Sergt.  W.  Coombes,  company  I,  mortally ;  private  M.  Conaway,  slightly ; 
Sergts.  R.  McGarvey,  company  K,  severely,  S.  P.  Turney,  slightly  ;  privates  J.  Hervey,  seri- 
ously, M.  Gray  and  Y.  Foster,  slightly,  S.  Bradley  and  S.  Lefollet,  severely. 

ARKANSAS   CAVALRY. 

Killed— Col.  Archibald  Yell ;  Capt.  Andrew  R.  Porter ;  Corporals  R.  M.  Sanders,  W.  Gom- 
berlin,  and  D.  Stewart ;  privates  Wm.  Phipps,  H.  Penter,  J.  H.  Higgins,  G.  W.  MartinJ  B. 
Pelham,  J.  Ray,  W.  Robinson,  D.  Hogan,  P.  Williams,  A.  Teague,  H.  Wynn,  and  T.  C 
Rowland. 

Wounded — 1st  Lieut.  Thos.  A.  Reader ;  Sergeant-major  B.  F.  Ross ;  Sergeants  J.  D.  Adams, 
slightly,  G.  Y.  Latham,  Z.  D.  Bogard,  and  H.  L.  Hamilton ;  Corporal  M.  L.  Poplin  ;  privates 
M  Kelley,  B.  F.  Nicholson,  W.  B.  Searcy,  Joseph  Penter,  C.  Taylor,  L.  McGruder,  J.  F. 
Allen,  M.  Graham,  D.  Logan,  A.  C.  Harris,  J.  Wilmoutb,  Franklin  W.  Brown,  O.  Jones, 
slightly,  E.  McCool,  J.  Williams,  L.  B.  Beckwith,  J.  Ray,  L.  A.  Twrouaki,  W.  Turner ;  J 
Biggcrstaff,  W.  Gibson,  R.  Arnold,  and  J.  Lowallen,  slightly  ;  J.  Johnson,  and  C.  Sullivan. 

Missing — Privates  L.  Settle,  Jos.  Green,  George  Norwood,  and  M.  Parker. 

REGULARS — GENERAL       STAFF. 

Killed — Capt.  Geo.  Lincoln,  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Wounded — First  Lieut.  Henry  W.  Benham,  Engineers,  and  Bvt  2d  Lieut.  Francis  T.  Bryan, 
Topographical  Engineers,  slightly. 

FIRST  REGIMENT  DRAGOONS. 

Wounded — Capt.  Enoch  Steen,  severely ;  privates,  company  E,  Holloway  and  Anderson, 
severely,  and  Sherrod,  slightly  ;  company  A,  Lanning  and  Sweet,  severely,  and  Waggoner, 
slightly. 

SECOND   REGIMENT  DRAGOONS. 

Wounded— Bvt.  Lieut.  Col.  C.  A.  May,  severe  contusion1;  private  W.  F.  Erbe,  company  E. 
severely. 

THIRD   REGIMENT   ARTILLERY. 

Killed — Private  Christian  F.  Walhinger,  company  C. 

Wounded — Sec.  Lieut.  Samuel  G.  French,  severely ;  company  C,  Corporal  Robert  Garns, 
severely,  privates  Wm.  Hudson,  severely,  Jacob  Weyer,  slightly ;  recruit  Jesse  Gormer,  3d 
infantry;  company  E,  Ord.  Sergt.  Bowning  slightly,  Corporals  Wolf  and  Boyle,  severely, 
Tischer,  musician,  supposed  mortally,  Livingood,  artificer,  severely,  privates  Bel.,  danger 


488       GEN.  URREA'S  ATTACK  ON  COL.  MORGAN'S  COMMAND. 

regiment,  under  captains  Triplett,  Bullen,  and  Kearn,  two 
companies  of  the  first  Ohio  regiment,  under  captains  Bradley 
and  Vandever,  and  a  detachment  of  Kentucky  cavalry,  under 
Lieut.  Patterson,  with  two  pieces  of  artillery,  who  came  to 
the  relief  of  Col.  Irvin,  and  the  reinforced  detachment  re- 
turned towards  Monterey. 

On  the  26th,  Urrea,  attacked  Col.  Morgan,  of  the  second 
Ohio  regiment,  who,  with  two  hundred  men,  was  also  going 
on  to  Monterey,  where,  all  the  troops  that  could  be  spared 
from  the  various  garrisons  in  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande 
were  ordered  to  concentrate. — This  attack  was  made  with 
vigor,  and  kept  up  with  spirit.  Lieut.  Stewart  gallantly 
dashed  forward,  through  the  enemy,  and  overtook  Lieut.  Col. 
Irvin,  who  immediately  turned  back  with  two  companies, — 
Capt.  Bradley,  first  Ohio,  and  Capt.  Kearn,  first  Kentucky, — 
and  the  action  terminated  in  the  repulse  of  Urrea,  with  a 
loss  of  about  sixty.  American  loss,  four  killed,  and  a  few 
wounded.  Among  the  killed  was  Capt.  B.  F.  Graham. 

After  this,  on  Sunday,  March  7th,  Gen.  Urrea  with  one 

REGULARS    KILLED    AXD    WOUNDED. 

ously,  Fisk,  Kemp,  McCray,  Levier,  Kollisher,  and  Gillam,  slightly,  Smith  and  Ketsey. 
•everely,  Shane,  mortally,  McDonnell,  dangerously. 
Missing — Privates  Marcus  A.  Hitchcock,  company  C,  Youngs  and  Morgan,  company  E. 

FOURTH   REGIMENT   ARTILLEBT. 

Killtd — Company  B;  privates  Holley,  Weekly,  Kinks,  and  Doughty ;  Green,  recruit,  3d 
infantry. 

Wounded — First  Lieut.  J.  P.  J.  O'Brien,  slightly ;  company  B,  Sergt.  Queen,  and  Lance 
Sergt.  Pratt,  slightly ;  privates  Puffer,  mortally,  Hannams,  Beagle,  Berrier,  Floyd,  Baker, 
Tharraan,  Brown,  Birch,  Butler,  and  Clark. 

RECAPITULATION. 

KilUd.        Wound**.       Muring.  Total. 

Volunteers— 1st  Mississippi  Rifles 21 51 93 

1st  Illinois 30 25 55 

2d  Illinois 47 74 3 124 

Company  Texas 14  2      •••     7 23 

Indiana — General  Staff 1 1 

2dlndiana • 32 36       ••      4  72 

Sdlndiana 9 56 65 

2d  Kentucky  Foot 44 57 1   108 

Kentucky  Cavalry 29 32 61 

Arkansas  Cavalry 17 32 4 53 

Regulars — General  Staffs 1  2 3 

1st  Dragoons 7 7 

2d  Dragoons 2 2 

SdArtillery 1 21 3 25 

4th  Artillery 5 15 20 

Total  Volunteers,  killed, -wounded,  and  missing 649 

Total  Regulars,  killed,  wounded,  and  missing 57 

Grand  Total  of  killed,  wounded,  and  missing 706 


URREA'S  ACTION  WITH  MAJOR  GIDDINGS'  COMMAND.       489 

thousand  six  hundred  men  attacked,  near  Ceralvo,  the  detach- 
ment of  Major  Giddings,  first  Ohio,  who,  with  a  force  con 
eisting  of  three  companies  first  Ohio,  under  captains  Bradley, 
Armstrong  and  Kenneally,  two  companies  of  first  Kentucky 
regiment,  under  captains  Howe  and  Fuller,  and  a  body  of 
Arkansas  cavalry,  under  Lieut.  Thompson,  with  two  pieces 
artillery,  under  Lieut.  McCarter, — in  all  two  hundred  and 
sixty  men, — was  escorting  a  train  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
wagons,  and  also  the  bearers  of  Gen.  Taylor's  dispatches, 
from  Monterey  to  Camargo. — The  attack  was  made  with 
vigor  by  a  much  superior  force,  and  was  continued  for  two 
or  three  hours  before  Urrea  was  repulsed. — From  the  great 
length  of  the  train,  the  enemy  were  enabled  to  entirely  sur- 
round the  rear-guard,  and  summon  them  to  surrender ;  but 
this  summons  was  disregarded. — Urrea  was  repulsed,  with  a 
loss  of  forty-five  killed  and  wounded.  Loss  of  the  detach- 
ment, seventeen  killed,  and  forty  wagons  taken. — (The  mules 
becoming  alarmed  at  the  firing,  were  unmanageable,  and 
rushed  in  among  the  Mexican  forces  on  either  hand ;  hence 
their  loss). — Major  Giddings,  the  morning  after  this  gallant  ac- 
tion, entered  Ceralvo, — and,  for  the  want  of  ammunition,  his 
ammunition  wagon  having  been  one  of  those  that  the  fright- 
ened mules  carried  among  the  Mexicans,  and  which  had  been 
set  on  fire  by  them,  was  compelled  to  wait  until  the  12th, 
when  Col.  Curtis,  at  the  head  of  near  twelve  hundred  men, 
the  3d  Ohio  regiment,  and  a  part  of  the  new  Virginia  regi- 
ment, came  up  from  Camargo,  by  whom  he  was  supplied, 
and  resumed  his  march. 

Col.  Curtis  continued  on  towards  Monterey  ;  came  in  sight 
of  the  enemy  ;  halted,  and  prepared  for  battle.  But  at  this 
time  Old  Zach.  himself  was  coming  down  the  road  from 
Monterey,  with  the  dragoons,  Kentucky  cavalry  and  Bragg's 
battery.  Urrea  found  himself  in  an  unpleasant  situation, 
and  immediately  retreated  to  the  southward  by  the  route  he 
had  come. 

If  Col.  Curtis  had  not  halted,  he  would  have  forced  Urrea 
to  have  fought  either  with  him  or  with  Gen.  Taylor ;  but  of 
that  he  was  not  aware  at  the  time,  and  knowing  Urrea's 
force  to  be  some  three  thousand  men,  he  wished  to  be  fully 


490  RETREAT  OF  GEN.  URREA. 

prepared.  With  Urrea's  retreat,  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande 
was  again  free  from  the  enemy. 

Santa  Anna  continued  his  retreat  to  San  Luis,  thence  to 
the  city  of  Mexico,  having  induced  the  population  to  believe 
that  he  had  gained  a  great  victory  over  Gen.  Taylor.  He 
found  the  principal  parties  in  Mexico  engaged  in  another 
revolution. — He  stopped  this  ;  united  all ;  roused  their  enthu- 
siasm, and  that  of  his  army,  and  great  rejoicings  took  place 
throughout  all  Mexico  on  account  of  his  victory. 

Having  now  given  an  account  of  all  the  fighting  that  had 
taken  place  in  the  winter,  we  will  close  the  chapter  and 
again  return  to  Tampico,  where,  at  the  end  of  chapter  X,  we 
left  the  troops  of  Gen.  Scott  embarking  for  Vera  Cruz ;  and 
with  the  embarkation  of  our  regiment,  we  will  commence 
chapter  XII,  ending  this  only  with  the  remark,  that  proposi- 
tions of  peace,  in  the  meantime,  had  again  been  made  by  the 
United  States'  government,  through  Sefior  Atocha,  and  re- 
jected by  the  Mexican.  Seftor  Atocha  had  been  conveyed  to 
Vera  Cruz,  in  the  revenue  cutter  Forward ;  had  landed  under 
cover  of  a  flag  of  truce,  on  February  9th ;  he  proceeded  directly 
to  the  city  of  Mexico  with  his  dispatches  ;  arrived  there  on 
the  13th,  and  laid  them  before  the  Mexican  government. — 
He  was,  on  the  next  day,  ordered  to  leave  the  city,  and,  near 
Jalapa,  to  await  a  reply ;  which,  in  a  few  days,  was  sent  to 
him,  being  a  decided  negative. — He  left  Vera  Cruz  on  the 
26th,  and  embarking  again  on  the  Forward,  hastened  back 
to  Washington. 

List  of  the  troops  of  Santa  Anna's  army,  as  they  left' San  Luis  Potosi,  to  attack  Gen.  Tay 
lor,  as  given  in  the  Mexican  journals  of  the  day : — 

January  26,  1347 — the  Sappers  and  Artillerists,  with  19  guns  of  heavy  calibre-      630 
January  29— 1st,  3d,  4th.  5th.  10th  and  llth  regiments  of  the  line,  and  1st  and  2d 

1  i  ght  troops 6,240 

January  31 — 4th  light  troops,  mixed,  of  Santa  Anna.  1st  Active  of  Celaya,  do.  of 

Guadalajara,  do.  of  Lagos,  do.  of  Queretaro,  do.  of  Mexico 3,200 

Total,  departed  from  San  Luis 10,090 

Troops  •which  Gen.  Parrodi  conducted  from  Tula,  with  three  pieces  of  heavy 

calibre,  with.their  munitions 1,000 

Cavalry  on  the  march 6.000 

Artillery"    «        «      ...   250 

"Division  under  Gen.  Mejia 4,000 

Grand  total  of  troops  sent  against  Gen.  Taylor 21,340 


CHAPTE  R    XII. 

MARCH  STH.  Nothing  of  interest  had  occurred  during  the 
few  days  that  we  have  dropped  the  regular  accounts  of  the 
journal.  Some  of  the  regulars,  induced  by  the  promises  of 
the  Mexicans,  had  deserted,  and  also  one  of  our  men  had 
done  the  same.  This  scamp's  name  was  Hill.— He  joined  the 
regiment  at  Matamoras,  and  was  a  member  of  Capt.  Good- 
ner's  company.  He  has  been  mentioned  before,  in  this 
work,  as  an  interpreter.  He  was  thought  by  many  to  be  the 
same  Hill  who  is  so  highly  spoken  of  by  Waddy  Thompson 
as  favored  by  Santa  Anna.*  Capt.  Newman's  company,  of 
our  regiment,  had  made  a  scout  into  the  interior,  beyond  Al- 
tamira,  after  these  deserters,  and  overtaken  four  of  them,  be- 
longing to  the  artillery,  bringing  them  back  to  town,  where 
they  were  confined  for  trial. 

The  force  designated  to  remain  as  the  garrison  of  Tam- 
pico,  was  composed  of  part  of  the  Louisiana  regiment,  sta- 
tioned at  the  fortifications  at  the  upper  part  of  town,  near  the 
military  hospital,  and  the  Baltimore  battalion,  which  was  at 
the  lower  part,  at  the  canal  bridge,  and  three  companies  of 
regular  artillery,  near  the  Plaza.  The  troops  of  the  differ- 

*  There  was  something  mysterious  about  this  young  man  from  the  first.  He  was 
always  anxious  to  obtain  information  with  respect  to  the  troops,  and  at  every  town  he 
made  an  immediate  acquaintance  with  the  alcaldes,  which  his  intimate  knowledge  of 
the  Spanish  language  enabled  him  to  do. — In  his  unguarded  moments  he  had  com- 
municated, from  time  to  time,  the  facts  that  he  had  for  many  years  resided  in  Mexico ; 
that  a  wealthy  Don  had  adopted  him  for  a  son  ;  that  he  had  resided  at  the  cities  of 
Mexico,  Puebla,  and  San  Luis  Potosi ;  and  his  general  conduct  left  no  doubt,  after  he 
had  deserted,  that  he  had  been  with  us  only  as  a  spy. — He  wore  off  an  officer's  coat, 
thus  making  it  appear  to  his  former  friends,  the  Mexicans,  that  he  had  held  an  office 
with  us ;  and  we  afterwards  heard  that  Santa  Anna,  on  his  return,  gave  him  a  cap- 
taincy. 

(491) 


492  EMBARKATION  OF  THE  REGIMENT. 

ent  brigades  had  been  leaving  as  fast  as  vessels  arrived,  and 
now  it  was  our  turn,  though  as  the  horse  transports  had  not 
come,  we  were  to  go  as  foot  soldiers. 

March  Qtfi.  This  was  a  busy  day  with  our  regiment.  In 
the  morning,  early,  the  bugles  called  each  company  into 
line ;  the  rolls  were  run  over,  and  eight  men  were  selected 
from  each  company  to  remain  with,  take  care  of,  and  accom- 
pany the  horses  when  they  should  be  embarked ; — the  re- 
mainder were  ordered  to  put  up  their  saddles,  bridles,  horse- 
blankets,  sabres  and  holster  pistols  securely,  and  mark  them, 
to  be  placed  in  boxes  and  sent  with  the  horses. — Each  man 
of  the  regiment  took  with  him  his  rifle,  or  carbine,  and  car- 
tridge-box, only. 

Breakfast  was  soon  over,  and  now  came  much  prepara- 
tion ;  much  inquiry  for  the  men  detailed  to  remain ;  each  re- 
questing and  imploring  these  to  take  good  care  of  their  horses 
left  behind ;  their  long-tried  steeds,  who,  for  thousands  of 
miles,  had  safely  borne  them  thus  far  in  the  campaign. 

At  ten,  A.  M.,  the  companies  were  formed,  the  tents  were 
struck,  and  with  our  little  baggage,  we  took  our  march  into 
town.  Arriving  there,  we  remained  in  the  square  by  the 
market  a  few  moments  only,  and  then  marched  down  to  the 
wharf  and  entered  the  surf  boats  prepared  for  embarking  and 
disembarking  the  troops; — each  boat  would  carry  sixty  men.* 
These  were  then  rowed  off  to  the  steamboats,  that  lay  ready 
to  receive  us.  The  first  battalion  was  soon  on  board,  crowd- 
ed and  jammed  together.  The  one  that  company  G  was  on 
was  a  propeller,  and  moved  along  slowly,  though  with  much 
puffing  and  noise. — Both  boats  got  up  steam,  and  started 
down  the  river  together. 

We  soon  came  opposite  to  our  camp  ;  the  crowd  of  horses 
was  there,  though  but  few  tents  were  left — only  those  for  the 
men  remaining.  These  collected  together  in  groups  on  the 
shore,  and  raised  a  shout  as  we  passed,  which  we  returned ; 
— every  man  looked  for  his  own  horse  on  the  bank,  and 
gazed  at  him,  as  on  we  passed  for  the  bar. — The  other  boat 

*  These  were  sent  from  the  United  States,  especially  to  embark  and  disembark  the 
hoops ; — were  of  peculiar  construction,  and  very  large. — For  view  of  one,  see  frontis- 
piece, "  canal  in  castle." 


SCENE  ON   BOARD   THE  SHIP.  493 

passed  us  on  the  river,  and  got  out  much  before  us ;  and 
while  she  was  making  her  way  to  the  distant  ships,  that 
lay  far  out,  almost  on  the  very  horizon,  we  only  had  come 
near  the  bar,  and  began  to  feel  the  waves  a  little  as  they 
rocked  us.  In  a  short  time  we  were  over  it,  and  our  little 
steamer,  puffing  and  blowing,  rolled  and  pitched  in  the  break- 
ers, and  many  of  the  men,  who  were  crowded  so  thickly  upon 
her  decks,  became  dizzy  with  the  motion,  and  their  faces 
were  pale  with  sea-sickness,  while  they  held  on  to  the  rig- 
ging.— Our  vessel  made  more  noise  than  ever,  but  went  so 
slow,  that  how  she  had  ever  reached  the  coast  of  Mexico, 
became  a  wonder  to  us. 

The  other  steamer  had  all  the  men  she  carried,  with  their 
baggage,  on  the  ship  before  we  came  near  her,  and  had 
commenced  the  return  ;  but  in  half  an  hour  we  came  up 
also,  near  to  her  as  she  lay  at  anchor.  She  was  the  Essex, 
of  Boston,  a  noble  vessel,  of  eight  hundred  tons  burden.  She 
was  high  above  the  water ; — her  lofty  masts  and  lengthy 
spars  were  in  perfect  trim  and  order ;  her  numerous  ropes 
were  drawn  in  straight  lines.  She  had  been  freshly  painted 
without,  and  her  color  was  bright.  She  rolled  gently  at  her 
heavy  anchors,  in  the  swell  that  came  in  from  the  Gulf.  Our 
little  steamer  came  along  side  of  her,  and  made  fast,  and 
the  men  commenced  climbing  up  her  sides. — The  baggage 
and  arms  were  passed  up,  and  in  half  an  hour  everything 
was  on  board,  and  the  crowd  of  men  were  looking  strangely 
at  every  object  around  them,  not  knowing  which  way  to 
move. 

The  sailors  of  the  ship  were  engaged  in  getting  the  bag- 
gage and  arms  down  on  the  lower  deck,  and  in  showing  our 
men  their  berths,  all  arranged  for  them;  but  many  were  so 
confused  with  the  strange  scene  around  them,  the  long  roll- 
ing of  the  ship,  and  the  busy  movements  of  the  seamen, 
that  they  found  all  their  baggage  removed  and  piled  up 
below,  before  they  were  aware  of  it.  The  ammunition  was 
placed  in  the  magazine,  the  deck  cleared  up,  and  everything 
put  in  order.  There  were  four  companies  of  us  now  on  this 
ship,  with  their  officers,  the  remaining  company  of  the  first 
battalion,  Caswell's,  having  gone  before.  The  second  bat 


494  SEA-SICKNESS  OF  THE   SOLDIERS. 

talion  went  on  board  the  ship  Desdemona,  lying  about  a  mile 
from  the  Essex.  Four  other  ships  lay  at  anchor  within  a 
mile  around,  having  on  board  tke  4th  and  most  of  the  3d 
Illinois  regiments. 

March  9th.  Last  night,  the  ship  rolled  heavily  on  the 
waves ;  and  it  was  difficult  for  our  men,  crowded  together, 
to  pass  one  another,  up  and  down  the  hatchway  ladders,  or 
to  walk  the  unsteady  foundation,  either  on  the  upper  or 
lower  deck.  They  turned  pale  and  sick,  especially  below, 
where  their  heads  were  rendered  giddy,  by  seeing  every- 
thing, apparently,  move  around  them.  Blankets  were  thickly 
spread  on  the  upper  deck,  each  with  an  occupant,  vomiting, 
and  thinking  he  was  about  to  die. — When  offered  break- 
fast, they  refused  it,  with  a  shake  of  the  head,  indicating  ex- 
treme disgust.  They  wished  themselves  on  land  ;  and  would, 
when  up,  lean  on  the  bulwarks,  and  gaze  most  wishfully  on 
the  low  coast  they  had  left,  and  which  was  visible  in  the 
distance. — The  other  ships,  in  the  offing,  were  rolling  and 
pitching  in  the  same  way;  and  on  looking  at  them  with 
a  spy-glass,  we  saw  many  on  their  crowded  decks,  leaning 
over  the  bulwarks,  and  "  casting  up  their  accounts." — Sea- 
sickness is  most  unpleasant,  and  many  think  they  will  surely 
die  from  it. — One  man  on  board  was  declaring,  last  night, 
that  he  could  not  possibly  live  till  morning ;  but  still  he  is 
alive,  and  a  little  better.  It  never  killed  any  one  yet;  but, 
on  the  contrary,  is  said  to  be  highly  beneficial. 

The  steamboats  have  been  bringing  off,  this  forenoon,  the 
second  battalion  of  our  regiment,  to  the  ship  Desdemona, 
mentioned  yesterday.  Col.  Thomas  and  Major  Waterhouse 
are  with  them ;  while  Lieut.  Col.  Allison  is  in  command  of 
us;  though,  at  the  present  time  he  cannot  command  him- 
self, being  laid  up  in  his  state-room  with  sea-sickness. 

The  day  was  calm  until  noon,  when  a  little  breeze  from 
the  south-east  sprang  up  ;  and  to  our  gratification,  the  cap- 
tain of  the  ship  gave  the  order  to  heave  up  the  anchor. — 
"Man  the  windlass!"  shouted  the  first  officer  of  the  ship,  a 
burly,  weather-beaten,  humorous-looking,  old  sea-fowl,  with 
a  voice  like  a  speaking-trumpet.  "Man  the  windlass!" 
shouted  the  second  officer,  a  younger  tar,  as  he  heard  the 


GETTING  "UNDER  WEIGH."  495 

order. — "Aye,  aye,  sir,"  "aye,  aye,  sir,"  answered  the  sea- 
men, as  they  seized  their  handspikes,  and  jumped  to  it ;  and 
it  was  soon  slowly  revolving,  bringing  in  the  heavy  chain 
cable,  the  clanking  of  which  on  the  deck  was  pleasant  to  us 
all,  for  it  told  us  that  we  were  about  to  proceed  to  sea. 

Soon  the  ponderous  anchor  was  broken  from  its  hold  on 
the  bottom  ;  then  came  the  orders,  "Hoist  the  jib  !"  "  loose 
the  top-sails  !"  and  while  some  of  the  seamen  did  the  first, 
others  ran  nimbly  up  the  shrouds,  and  soon  sail  after  sail, 
above  and  below,  were  hoisted,  sheeted  out,  and  exposed 
their  wide  surface  to  the  breeze,  which  filled  them  ;  and  the 
large  ship,  under  her  press  of  canvass,  leaned  over  to  the 
wind,  and  gathered  way  through  the  billows,  which  broke 
and  parted  at  her  bows.  The  anchor  was  now  brought  up 
to  its  place,  and  we  stood  out  to  sea. — The  decks  were  cleared 
up  ;  the  loose  ropes,  that  had  been  used  in  "  getting  her  un- 
der weigh"  (as  the  sailor's  term  is,  for  raising  the  anchor, 
spreading  the  sails,  and  putting  the  ship  in  motion  to  the 
breeze),  were  coiled  up.  The  seamen  took  their  stations, 
and  all  was  at  once  reduced  to  the  sea  regulations,  of  order, 
form,  and  discipline. 

Two  of  the  other  ships  got  under  weigh,  at  the  same  time. 
The  ship  Sharon  was  a  little  later  than  ourselves,  in  getting 
her  anchor  up  ;  and  as  we  passed  her,  the  troops,  with  which 
she  was  crowded,  gave  us  three  cheers,  to  which  we  heartily 
responded. 

In  an  hour  we  had  lost  sight  of  the  land,  and  the  scene  was 
but  the  blue  of  the  sky  above,  and  the  darker  blue  of  the 
water  below  and  around. — The  waves  now  were  larger,  and 
the  ship  rolled  more ;  and  many  that  had  hitherto  been  well, 
became  sea-sick,  and  came  up  on  deck,  unable,  from  their 
giddiness,  to  remain  below.  Those  who  were  sick  at  the 
anchorage,  now  became  worse;  and  those  who  were  well, 
sought  their  berths,  and  laid  down  to  sleep. 

March  IQth.  Early  this  morning,  all  crowded  upon  deck, 
each  one  wishing  to  see  the  sun  rise  from  his  bed  of  distant 
waves,  and  to  breathe  the  fine  air  of  the  sea,  after  having 
been  crowded  in  the  confined  atmosphere  below,  only  relieved 


AMUSEMENTS  AT  SEA. 

by  the  draft  of  freshness  brought  by  the  wind-sails,  so  ar- 
ranged as  to  send  a  current  down. 

Many  of  those  sick  yesterday  are  getting  better,  and  are 
eagerly  inquiring  for  coffee,  bread,  meat,  &c. ;  while  some 
look  worse  than  ever.  They  appear  to  feel  most  melancholy, 
as  they  lie  upon  their  blankets  upon  the  deck. — With  those 
who  are  well,  the  greatest  good  humor  and  sport  prevails ; 
they  have  many  odd  remarks  to  make  at  the  new  scenes  pre- 
sented to  them. — When  the  seamen  are  engaged  in  their  du- 
ties and  passing  to  and  fro  amid  the  lofty  rigging,  our  men 
look  up  at  them  and  often  call  out  to  them,  with  some  queer 
expression,  which  is  highly  amusing  to  the  old  tars.  The 
captain  of  the  ship  is  indulgent  towards  their  capers,  and 
laughs  heartily  at  the  droll  remarks.  Capt.  Welch  was  solici- 
tous for  the  comfort  and  convenience  of  all;  and  seeing  many 
with  nothing  to  engage  their  attention,  he  brought  to  them 
all  the  lighter  reading  of  his  library,  and  distributed  histo- 
ries, novels,  and  romances,  with  a  liberal  hand. 

March  llth.  This  day  we  have  had  light  winds  from  the 
south-east,  ahead,  and  we  have  stood  out  into  the  gulf,  and 
back  towards  the  coast ;  and  this  evening,  are  about  twenty 
miles  from  the  Island  of  Lobos,  where  our  colonel  has  orders, 
discretionary,  however,  to  report  to  the  officer  in  command. — 
The  wind  is  very  light,  almost  calm  ;  and  the  lofty  ship  rolls, 
and  the  sails  flap  against  the  masts  and  rigging,  with  a  short, 
irregular  motion,  most  disagreeable  to  those  who  'are  sick ; 
who  wish,  from  their  hearts,  that  she  would  keep  still  a 
single  moment. — The  day  has  passed  away  pleasantly  with 
all  others.  Many  are  enjoying  the  light  breeze,  who  were 
yesterday  laid  up  in  their  berths.  The  bulwarks,  or  sides  of 
the  ship,  and  the  topgallant  forecastle,  or  small,  high  deck 
at  the  bow,  have  been  crowded  with  men,  leaning  over  the 
side,  observing  the  blue  water  passing  behind,  or  extended 
in  its  vast  expanse,  bounded  only  by  the  distant  horizon,  with 
here  and  there  the  figure  of  a  ship,  so  far  off  that  they  look- 
ed only  like  pillars  of  white ;  or  else  watching  the  flying- 
fish,  which  sprung  from  the  water,  with  their  wings  out- 
spread, and  dashing  along  the  undulating  surface,  disap- 
peared as  suddenly  as  thr y  rose ;  or  they  crowded  up  the 


FLYING-FISH,  SHARKS,  AND  PORPOISES.  497 

lower  rigging,  to  catch  a  view  of  a  huge  shark,  that  rolled 
his  body  at  intervals,  above,  the  waves,  displaying  the  large 
fin  on  his  back,  as  he  slowly  moved  along,  as  if  conscious 
of  his  power ;  now  coming  near  us,  and  then  receding ;  while 
his  attending  pilot-fish  approached,  and  examined  every- 
thing thrown  from  the  ship.  Some  were  much  interested  at 
the  frolics  of  a  large  number  of  porpoises,  that  gamboled 
around  the  ship,  leaving  us  with  extraordinary  speed,  and 
returning  as  swiftly,  crossing  and  recrossing  each  other 
amid  the  foam  at  the  bows,  then  again  dashing  away,  full 
of  life  ;  in  each  successive  appearance  they  were  greeted  by 
a  shout  from  the  crowd.  Little  birds,  blown  off  from  the 
land,  that  had  kept  upon  their  fluttering  wings  until  nearly 
exhausted,  came  to  us  to  rest,  and  save  themselves,  alight- 
ing on  a  rope,  or  on  any  person's  head. 

The  men  caught  a  small  shark,  and  he,  for  a  time,  took 
their  attention. — His  broad,  shovel-shaped  nose ;  his  eyes, 
standing  BO  far  on  the  sides  of  his  head ;  his  skin,  rougher 
than  sand-paper ;  his  singular  tail,  and  his  mouth  far  under 
his  head,  with  his  sharp  teeth,  rendered  him  an  object  of 
curiosity.  One  after  another  turned  him  over  and  over, 
and  at  last  some  of  them,  with  "Bull  Killer"  and  "Skin 
Horse  "  at  the  head,  determined  to  eat  him  ;  which  they  did, 
amid  the  jeers  of  the  others,  declaring,  however,  that  he  was 
first  rate. 

Many  listlessly  threw  themselves  on  the  decks,  and  laugh- 
ed and  chatted  quietly  for  hours. — Towards  evening,  all  was 
a  burst  of  fun  and  frolic.  One  of  the  men  turned  orator, 
and  mounting  on  the  elevated  hatches  amidships,  gave  a  long 
harangue  to  the  listening  crowd. — Went  into  a  description 
of  his  past  life  ; — then  branched  off  into  an  account  of  the 
difficulties  and  inconveniences  to  which  all  ardent  lovers  of 
liberty,  equality,  and  social  drams,  were  subjected  to  in  the 
campaign,  &c. — Then  changing  his  ground,  he  discussed  the 
questions  of  the  tariff,  the  distribution  of  the  public  lands, 
the  annexation  of  Texas,  and  the  present  war ;  then  assured 
his  audience  that  he  came  to  the  war  for  the  same  reason  as 
did  many  of  the  officers,  not  from  any  particular  love  for  fight- 
ing, but  to  be  able,  hereafter,  to  gain  popularity;  said  that  in 
32 


498  AMUSEMENTS   ON  THE  SHIP. 

this  he  should  succeed  ;  that  he  was  sure  of  being  sent  to  the 
legislature  of  Tennessee  when  he  returned,  and  from  there  was 
equally  certain  of  going  to  congress ; — that  then  he  should 
do  much  for  his  native  state. — But  his  main  effort  should  be 
the  extermination  of  the  abuses  existing  in  the  present  sys- 
tem of  distilling  liquors  ;  a  martyr  in  the  cause  of  which,  he 
said,  he  believed  he  should  yet  yield  up  his  life.  He  exhort- 
ed all  the  men  to  fight  bravely  when  they  arrived  at  "  Peter 
Cruz,"  as  he  called  it,  and  not,  by  cowardice,  to  disgrace 
their  mothers ; — he  said  that  for  his  part,  he  should  fight 
well,  and  then  he  was  sure  of  being  cordially  received  by  his 
patriotic  old  mamma  when  he  returned ;  and  that  after  the  first 
congratulations  had  passed,  the  old  lady  would  say  to  his 
younger  brother,  "  Here,  John,  take  the  jug  and  run  quickly 
down  to  the  store,  and  get  a  gallon  of  the  best  whisky  for 
Zed :  for  he  used  to  love  it  mighty  well  before  he  went  to 
the  wars,  and  I  reckon  he  loves  it  yet." — This  speech  lasted 
for  an  hour  and  a  half;  and  such  a  flow  of  words,  and  often 
eloquence  of  style,  had  the  speaker,  (a  man  of  great  natural 
talent  and  rare  ability),  that  the  deck  was  crowded  with  lis- 
teners, both  officers  and  men,  who,  with  loud  laughter,  cheer- 
ed him  continually  during  its  delivery. 

At  sunset,  the  barometer  in  the  cabin  fell  rapidly,  and  fear- 
ing the  approaching  change  of  weather  that  it  indicated, 
Capt.  Welch  ordered  the  topsails  closely  reefed,  the  jib 
hauled  down,  the  top-gallant  sails  furled,  and  the  main-sail 
clewed  up,  bringing  the  ship  under  short  sail ;  but,  as  yet, 
there  was  no  indication  in  the  sky  of  any  change. 

Friday,  March  12th.  Last  night,  at  one  o'clock,  a  norther 
came  down  upon  us,  verifying  the  prediction  of  the  truth- 
telling  barometer.  The  sails  were  filled,  bellying  to  the 
blast,  and  the  ship  drove  on  through  the  waves,  which  soon 
rose  high,  curling  and  breaking  in  foam.  With  the  wind  on 
her  quarter,  under  short  sail,  she  ran  till  morning,  at  ten 
miles  an  hour.  Her  motion  of  rolling  and  pitching  now  be- 
came more  violent,  and,  urged  by  the  wind,  driving  the  foam 
from  her  bows,  she  rose  upon  a  wave  and  dashed  forward 
and  downward,  as  it  passed  by  and  broke  ahead.  She  rolled, 
and  rose  up  on  the  next,  as  it  came  on,  again  to  plunge  for- 


THE   SOLDIERS  DURING  A   GALE.  499 

ward  and  settle  down  for  a  moment  in  the  trough  of  the  sea ; 
while  the  wind  blew  with  a  rustling,  whistling,  moaning 
noise — now  increasing  in  shrillness  and  intensity,  as  the  ship 
rose  high  on  the  crests,  and  then  lessening  for  a  moment,  as 
she  settled  in  the  troughs.  The  men,  as  they  came  up  from 
below,  could  not  walk  forward  or  aft,  save  by  catching  at 
the  ropes,  the  cooking-places,  water  casks,  &c. ;  and  they 
looked  around,  dizzy  and  bewildered. — The  centre  of  the 
ship,  between  the  fore  and  mainmasts,  was  occupied  by 
the  long-boat  first ;  and  in  front  of  that  was  the  galley,  or 
house  of  the  cook,  containing  a  large  cooking-stove,  cop- 
per kettles,  &c.  On  each  side  of  the  long-boat,  were  two 
wooden  frames,  or  large  fire-places,  lined  with  brick,  with 
a  grate  of  iron  across  ;  —  these  were  for  the  soldiers  to 
cook,  divided  into  their  different  messes. — Now  the  men, 
crowded  round  these,  caused  much  merriment  to  the  seamen, 
as  they  endeavored  to  make  coffee,  and  cook  their  pork. — 
Every  surge  of  the  ship  sent  them  back  and  forth  in  a 
body,  against  one  another ; — from  the  fire-places  and  casks, 
on  one  side,  in  a  moment  they  were  heavily  thrown  against 
the  bulwarks  on  the  other. — Some  were  grumbling,  some 
laughing,  and  some  swearing — especially  those  who  slipped 
on  the  deck,  as  the  ship  pitched,  and  came  down,  with  heels 
up,  and  elbows  in  the  water  that  ran  about  in  the  scuppers ; 
their  coffee-pots  were  upset,  and  their  bread  and  meat  were 
sliding  round  on  the  deck.  It  was  a  job  for  them  to  go 
even  to  the  water  casks  ;  they  caught  hold  of  one  another, 
and  of  the  rigging,  and  seized  their  chances,  between  the  rolls 
and  pitches,  to  jump  along  three  or  four  feet,  to  catch  again  ; 
many  were  at  the  sides,  holding  on,  and  looking  wistfully  and 
sourly  at  the  cooking  places  : — these  wanted  their  coffee,  but 
they  thought  it  more  than  it  was  worth,  to  try  to  make  it  at 
such  a  time  as  this  ;  though  the  seamen  glided  along,  at  their 
various  occupations,  without  difficulty  :  for  it  was  their  own 
life,  and  habit  enabled  them  to  step  as  securely  on  the  un- 
steady deck,  or  on  the  ropes  of  the  lofty  yards,  and  masts 
above,  as  our  men  would  on  their  native  hills  and  mountains. 
After  those  who  had  succeeded  in  getting  their  breakfast 
had  finished  it,  and  those  who  had  not,  had  satisfied  them- 


500  SIGHT  OF  LAND. 

selves  with  dry  crackers,  raw  fat  pork,  and  cold  water,  they 
retreated  to  their  berths,  to  forget,  in  sleep,  the  unpleasant- 
ness of  their  present  situation. 

The  wind  blew  strong  from  the  same  quarter  all  the  day, 
the  same  scene  continuing  until  about  four  o'clock,  when 
the  gale  began  to  lull,  and  the  billows  somewhat  to  subside ; 
and  the  motion  of  the  ship  became  more  easy,  though  at 
times  violent — occasionally  throwing  a  half  dozen  men  from 
one  side  to  the  other  ;  or  some  unlucky  wight,  who  had  step- 
ped on  the  upper  part  of  the  ladder  to  descend  to  the  lower 
deck,  from  his  foothold,  sending  him  down  the  steps,  bump- 
ing on  each,  to  the  deck  below,  on  which  he  was  invariably 
sprawled  out,  greeted  in  his  coming  by  shouts  of  laughter, 
with  all  kinds  of  exclamations,  from  the  numbers  around — 
themselves  safely  stowed  away  in  their  berths,  there  secure, 
and  not  being  willing  to  venture  out  of  them. — The  wind 
continued  to  lull,  till,  at  sunset,  the  ship  became  steady 
enough  for  all  to  come  above,  where  they  amused  them- 
selves much  until  after  dark,  when  they  turned  in  again  ; — 
and  now,  having  got  well  of  sea-sickness,  they  had  a  time 
of  sport,  singing,  laughter,  jokes  and  mimickry,  in  the  dark- 
ness below. 

Saturday,  March  13th.  We  continued  to  run,  having  last 
evening  tacked  ship  to  the  south-westward,  under  easy  sail. 
In  the  distance  were  two  ships,  and  a  brig,  standing  on  the 
same  course  with  ourselves.  This  morning  the  wind  was 
from  the  north,  but  was  light.  At  eight  o'clock,  we  saw  the 
land  on  the  starboard  bow; — at  eleven,  having  stood  in 
nearer,  we  found  that  we  were  directly  opposite  Alvarado, 
thirty-three  miles  south-east  from  Vera  Cruz.  We  came  in 
near  enough  to  see  the  fort  with  the  spy-glass,  and  the  flag- 
staff on  it,  and  the  road  which  led  over  the  hills  into  the 
town,  and  a  large  dark,  waving  mass  of  Mexican  troops, 
apparently  cavalry,  upon  it.  The  town  itself  was  concealed 
from  our  view. 

This  place  has  been  twice  attacked  by  our  squadron, 
but  not  taken ;  the  vessels  not  being  able  to  get  over 
the  bar. — The  view  of  the  coast  was  clear  and  distinct, 
for  a  long  distance,  to  the  south-east  and  north-west.  To 


RENEWAL   OF  THE  NORTHER.  501 

the  south-east  was  visible  the  summit  of  the  mountain  Tuxlar 
said  to  be  an  active  volcano. — In  the  distance,  to  the  north- 
west, was  the  point  Anton  Lizardo. 

As  soon  as  our  position  was  ascertained,. the  ship  was 
braced  sharp  up  to  the  wind,  and  stood  to  the  north-east  • 
the  other  vessels  followed  our  example.  After  standing  out 
some  hours,  she  was  put  upon  the  other  tack;  and,  coming 
in  sight  of  the  coast  again,  at  six,  P.  M.,  we  found  that  we 
were  directly  north  of  Alvarado,  ten  miles ;  but  now,  to  our 
astonishment,  the  norther,  which  we  had  thought  breathing 
its  last,  sprung  up  again  in  power,  and  blew  so  hard  that  this 
was  no  place  for  us,  for  the  land  lay  directly  to  leeward; 
and  the  captain  put  the  ship  directly  out  to  sea,  on  a  north- 
eastern course.  The  wind  blew  stronger  in  the  course  of  the 
evening,  and  whistled  shrilly  through  the  rigging ; — the  ship 
pitched  and  rolled  in  the  sea  that  was  raised. — All  of  our 
men  went  below  early  to  their  berths.  The  gale  increased  as 
the  night  drew  on  ;  blew  more  furiously  after  dark ; — a  heavy 
sea  arose,  and  the  driving  ship  labored  hard  ; — the  caps  of 
the  waves  broke  over  her. — Towards  morning,  the  close- 
reefed  maintop-sail,  with  a  loud  report,  burst  from  its  bolt- 
ropes  ;  another,  however,  was  quickly  sent  up,  which  stood 
out  the  gale. 

March  2Qth.  Another  week  had  our  noble  ship  been  driv- 
ing about,  tost  by  the  tempestuous  winds,  and  unable  to  reach 
her  desired  port.  We  had  fallen  in  with  the  ship  Desde- 
mona,  on  which  was  our  second  battalion,  and  with  several 
other  vessels,  all  endeavoring  to  make  the  port  of  Vera 
Cruz.  The  norther  had  driven  us  all  far  southward,  and  the 
wind,  though  it  had  lulled  away,  still  blew  from  the  former 
quarter ;  our  efforts  to  beat  against  it  were  almost  unavail- 
ing.— Our  men  lined  the  sides  and  deck  of  the  ship,  in  list- 
less impatience  to  arrive  at  the  scene  of  conflict. 

At  one  o'clock,  A.  M.,  to  our  great  joy,  the  north  wind  had 
entirely  ceased,  and  a  light  breeze  sprung  up  from  the  south- 
east, which  was  favorable  to  us.  The  ship  was  immediately 
put  on  the  course  for  the  coast,  and  sheet  after  sheet  of  sail 
was  spread  on  her  lofty  masts.  The  other  ships,  which  were 
scattered  for  miles  around,  on  the  distant  horizon,  did  the 


502  COMING  IN  SIGHT  OF  VERA  CRUZ. 

same,  spreading  all  their  canvas  to  the  favorable  wind.  Af- 
ter sunrise,  the  bows  and  lower  rigging  of  the  ship  were 
crowded  with  our  men,  straining  their  eyes  over  the  vast 
expanse  of  water  ahead,  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  land ;  but 
hours  passed  without  a  word  being  heard  from  them. — At  eight 
o'clock,  an  old  salt,  belonging  to  the  ship,  who  had  followed 
the  sea  for  forty  years,  came  up  on  the  fore-castle  deck, 
looked  a  moment,  and  then  discharging  a  huge  quid  of  to- 
bacco, hitching  up  his  duck  trousers,  and  half  rolling  him- 
self round,  so  as  to  face  the  quarter-deck,  called  out,  in  a 
loud  voice,  "  Land  O !"  The  sound  brought  every  man  to  his 
feet. — "Where  away?"  shouted  the  chief  mate,  who  was 
near  the  cabin. — "  Two  points  on  the  starboard  bow," 
growled  out  the  old  seaman. — But  still  we  could  not  see 
the  least  trace  of  it,  during  half  an  hour's  nearer  approach. 
The  low,  blue  coast  then  became  visible,  but  it  was  envel- 
oped in  mist,  and  only  partially  discernible. —  The  ship  still 
continued  to  approach  directly  in  towards  it ;  and,  after  a 
while,  flashes  could  be  perceived,  to  light  up  the  mist,  at 
regular  intervals.  Now,  with  great  interest,  all  strained  their 
vision  to  bring  something  more  in  view. — In  another  half 
hour,  the  heavy  booming  of  cannon  could  be  heard. 

At  ten  o'clock,  we  had  approached  so  near  as  to  hear 
distinctly  the  reports,  and  shortly  after,  the  fog  dispersed,  and 
revealed  the  scene,  in  the  clear  sunlight,  most  beautiful  and 
intensely  interesting. — Before  us,  and  to  our  right,  in 
the  distance,  was  the  heavy  castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa ; 
it  was  wrapped  in  clouds  of  white  smoke,  that  rolled  away 
from  above  its  large  extent;  the  bright  flashes  darted  out 
from  its  bastions,  and  the  Mexican  flag  waved  gracefully 
above  it. — Between  the  castle  and  ourselves,  the  expanse  of 
water,  within  the  reefs  which  were  close  to  us,  was  calm  and 
tranquil;  to  the  left  of  the  castle,  and  beyond  it,  was  the  city 
of  Vera  Cruz,  with  its  numerous  domes  and  spires,  in  full  and 
distinct  view ;  in  its  extent,  surmounted  by  so  many  of  these 
it  appeared  to  be  a  beautiful  place  ;  and  wholly  unlike  any 
city  we  had  ever  seen.  The  left  side  of  this  was  also  ob- 
scured by  the  volumes  of  white  smoke,  which  gracefully 
rose  over  and  among  the  spires  and  domes. — To  the  left 


DISTINCT   APPEARANCE  OF  THE  CITY.  503 

of  the  city  and  castle,  the  coast  was  a  succession  of  low 
sand-hills,  which  appeared  bright  in  the  morning  sun ;  they 
run  far  off  to  the  southward,  losing  themselves  on  the  dis- 
tant horizon.  Near  these,  to  our  left  a  little,  but  yet  in 
front,  was  a  large  fleet  of  our  vessels  of  war  and  transport- 
ships  ;  their  forest  of  tall  masts,  so  closely  standing  together, 
were  surmounted  by  gay  flags  and  streamers. — They  were 
lying  just  out  of  effective  reach  of  the  guns  of  the  castle. — 
Still  farther  to  the  left,  and  almost  opposite  to  us,  was  the 
more  distant  anchorage  of  Anton  Lizardo,  where  many  ships 
were  lying. 

On  the  north  of  the  city  and  castle,  the  low  range  of  sand 
hills  extended  in  the  distance,  until  lost  to  the  view. — Two 
small  islands,  and  several  reefs,  or  shallow  places  of  coral 
rock,  on  which  the  waves  were  breaking  sullenly,  lay  between 
us  and  the  anchorage,  which  now  we  were  steadily  nearing. 
Of  our  army  nothing  could  be  seen  ;  being  all  hidden  by  the 
sand-hills,  at  the  left  of  the  city.  But  as  we  came  nearer, 
we  could  observe  its  position,  from  the  clouds  of  smoke 
and  dust,  raised  there  by  the  exploding  bomb-shells,  that 
were  thrown  from  both  castle  and  city.  We  heard  their  re- 
ports, nearly  equal  to  those  of  the  artillery  that  sent  them ; 
but  no  answering  cannon  could  be  heard  from  our  forces. 

In  coming  into  the  harbor,  the  whole  view  presented  to  the 
eye  was  most  interesting,  and  rendered  exciting  by  the  con- 
tinued cannonade.  It  was  of  one  of  those  scenes  which, 
at  first  view,  strike  the  mind  of  the  beholder  with  such 
a  vivid  and  distinct  impression,  as  will  ever  afterwards 
impress  it  upon  his  recollection. — While  all,  crowded  on 
the  ship's  bows,  bulwarks,  and  in  the  rigging,  were  gazing 
at  this  extensive  view,  their  eyes  wandering  from  object  to 
object,  we  were  steadily  drawing  near ;  sail  after  sail  was 
furled,  and  shortly  after,  the  ship  moved  in  among  the  crow- 
ded fleet  at  Sacrificios  Island ;  the  anchors  *vere  let  go,  and 
she  swung  round  to  her  heavy  chains ;  the  sails  were  all 
furled,  and  the  voyage  was  ended. — Every  man  was  ordered 
to  collect  his  arms  and  baggage,  and  be  ready  to  leave  the 
ship  at  a  moment's  notice. 

Shortly  we  were  approached  by  a  small  four-oared  boat, 


504  VISIT  OF  HARBOR  MASTER. 

in  which  was  the  harbor-master,  who,  as  he  came  alongside, 
informed  the  captain,  that  on  account  of  the  use  of  the  surf- 
boats,  we  could  not  be  landed  until  the  morrow  ;  and  observ- 
ing the  impatience  of  the  men  at  this,  told  us,  that  there 
had  not  yet  been  anything  done,  in  the  way  of  answering 
the  fire  of  the  city  and  castle ;  that  eleven  days  before,  on 
Tuesday,  the  9th  instant,  all  the  troops  then  here,  about 
seven  thousand,  had  landed  at  once,  in  magnificent  style ; 
but  that  the  continued  norther,  which  had  kept  us  at  sea, 
had  prevented  the  landing  of  the  cannon  and  mortars  neces- 
sary ;  and  that  it  would  yet  be  two  days  before  these  could 
be  planted,  to  begin  operations. — Informed  us,  that  Gen. 
Worth's  division  had  taken  position  nearest  to  the  harbor ; 
that  Gen.  Patterson's  was  next,  back  of  the  city,  and  that 
Gen.  Twiggs'  was  at  the  water's  edge,  on  the  other  side ; 
and  that  the  city  was  thus  completely  invested,  and  the 
trenches  were  made  within  eight  hundred  yards  of  the 
walls. — Told  us  that  the  remainder  of  our  brigade,  1st  and 
2d  Tennessee,  together  with  the  1st  and  2d  Pennsylvania, 
and  Gen.  Quitman's,  the  South  Carolina,  Alabama,  and 
Georgia,  and  the  Rifle  regiment,  had  so  far,  done  the  skirm- 
ishing and  fighting,  driving  the  Mexicans  within  their  strong- 
hold ;  and  that  the  2d  Tennessee,  under  Gen.  Pillow,  after 
charging  up  a  steep  hill,  on  a  large  body  of  Mexicans,  in  the 
rear  of  the  city,  as  they  drove  them  off,  found  themselves  on 
the  top  in  full  view,  and  within  a  short  range,  of  the  city 
walls  and  batteries ;  they  planted  their  flag,  and  in  answer 
to  their  three  loud  cheers,  they  received  the  first  fire  of  the 
Mexican  batteries  of  the  city,  which  had  since  been  kept  up. 
— That  a  continuous  storm  of  balls  and  shells,  from  the  city 
and  castle,  swept  like  hail,  over  our  lines ;  but,  from  the  troops 
being  hidden  in  the  trenches,  the  loss  of  life  on  our  part  as 
yet  was  small. 

He  spoke  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  generalship  of  Scott, 
of  his  masterly  plans,  the  exactness  with  which  he  worked 
them  out,  and  their  effect  in  saving  the  lives  of  his  men. — 
Said  the  city  and  castle  were  doomed :  with  such  a  general 
as  Scott,  and  such  men  as  he  had, — that  fall  they  must ; — 
that  now,  with  ourselves  and  the  other  troops  in  the  harbor 


ANCHORAGE  AT  SACRIFICIOS   ISLAND.  505 

there  were  about  thirteen  thousand  five  hundred  men  under 
his  command. — He  then  took  his  leave,  warning  the  captain 
to  look  out  for  the  renewal  of  the  norther,  for  the  extraordi- 
nary clearness  of  the  atmosphere  indicated  that  the  furious 
wind  was  not  yet  done.  The  barometer,  in  the  cabin,  told 
the  same  tale ;  so  the  ship  was  moved  into  a  better  position, 
under  shelter  of  the  small  island  of  Sacrificios,  and  both  an- 
chors dropped,  and  a  great  length  of  the  heavy  chains  given 
out. 

We  now  had  leisure  to  observe  the  scene  around  us ;  and 
the  bulwarks  were  crowded  with  men,  looking  round  at  the 
large  fleet  of  vessels;  among  which  were  several  British, 
French,  and  Spanish  men-of-war,  and  several  steamers  ;  our 
own  fleet  of  vessels  of  war, — numbers  of  large  ships,  from 
which  many  boats  were  passing  back  and  forth,  with  troops, 
cannon,  mortars,  ammunition,  shells,  shot,  provision,  &c., 
landing  them  on  the  beach,  to  the  left,  about  a  third  of  a  mile 
distant.  This  beach,  for  a  mile  up  its  extent,  or  until  it  came 
within  reach  of  the  guns  of  the  castle,  which  was  about 
two  and  a  half  miles  in  front,  was  lined,  under  the  sand 
hills,  with  tents,  occupied  by  the  quarter-master's  men, 
and  temporary  store-houses,  for  the  protection  of  the  articles 
landed.  The  whole  length  was  covered  with  piles  of  these 
stores,  and  was  crowded  with  men.  When  brought  near  to 
the  vision  by  a  spy-glass — which  revealed  upon  it  a  most 
busy  scene — it  appeared  like  the  levee  of  a  vast  commer- 
cial city. 

The  continued  cannonade  from  the  castle  drew  our  at- 
tention to  that  fortification,  and  we  observed  a  large  vessel 
lying  under  the  protection  of  its  guns  ;  on  inquiry,  we  found 
that  she  was  a  French  barque,  which  had  run  the  blockade,  de- 
livering to  the  castle  a  full  cargo  of  excellent  powder  and 
shells  ;  and  was  now  awaiting  her  chance  to  get  out  with- 
out capture.  Many  a  curse  had  been  bestowed  upon  her  by 
our  naval  officers  and  men;  but  she  was  now  in  a  situation 
in  which  they  dared  not  interrupt  or  approach  her. 

The  island  of  Sacrificios,  near  us,  too,  was  an  interesting 
object :  for  upon  it  the  Spaniards,  under  Cortez,  first  landed, 
more  than  three  hundred  years  since,  when  about  conquer- 


506  RENEWAL  OF  THE  NORTHER. 

ing  the  empire  of  Mexico. — Here  they  found  that  human 
victims  were  yearly  offered  in  sacrifice  to  the  heathen  gods 
of  the  Mexicans  ; — hence  they  gave  the  present  name,  Sac- 
rificios,  to  the  island.  A  heathen  temple  was  on  it  then, 
and,  of  late  years,  several  subterranean  apartments  have 
been  found  in  its  little  extent,  and  many  curious  sculptured 
specimens  of  earthen  and  stone  ware,  manufactured  with 
great  skill  by  the  ancient  Mexicans,  and  used  in  those  sacri- 
fices of  men,  have  been  brought  to  light. 

After  night  had  set  in,  we  remained  upon  deck  to  witness 
the  light,  flashing  continually  from  the  guns  of  the  city  and 
castle,  and  the  brilliant  red  glare  of  the  congreve  rockets  that 
rose,  passed  over,  and  exploded  ;  but  at  length,  wearied,  we 
retired  below  to  sleep. 

Sunday,  March  21st.  We  had  gone  below  last  night  at  a 
late  hour,  and  having  the  information  we  had  received  to 
converse  upon,  we  did  not  immediately  retire  to  our  berths. 
Many  of  the  men  sat  in  groups  on  the  lower  deck,  with 
their  candles  giving  a  flickering  light  upon  the  tiers  of 
rough  berths  in  the  middle  of  the  ship,  and  on  either 
side,  in  which,  in  rows  above  each  other,  many  had  gone  to 
rest ; — the  ship  being  quiet  and  still  on  the  water,  for  the 
first  time  since  we  had  come  on  board.  Before  we  dispers- 
ed to  our  berths,  the  norther  again  rushed  down  in  power 
from  the  open  sea  upon  the  coast,  city  and  fleet. — The  ships 
swung  around  to  its  force,  and  the  furious  wind  soon  raised 
a  heavy  sea,  which,  notwithstanding  the  protection  of  the 
island  and  reefs  to  seaward,  ran  so  high  as  to  give  all  the 
heavy  vessels  much  motion. 

The  wind  increased  through  the  night,  and  on  com- 
ing on  deck  in  the  morning,  a  wild  scene  was  before  and 
around  us,  far  different  from  that  of  the  day  before.  The 
wind  was  coming  in  from  the  open  sea,  and  the  mountain 
waves,  rapidly  following  each  other,  were  dashing  in  a  ter- 
rific manner  on  the  reefs,  which  protected  us  from  their  vio- 
lence. The  water  about  these  appeared  white  with  foam. 

On  the  reef  to  the  seaward  was  the  wreck  of  the  French 
barque,  that,  last  evening,  had  been  so  quietly  lying  under 
the  guns  of  the  castle.  She  had  endeavored  to  get  out,  but 


WRECK  OF   FRENCH  BARQUE.  507 

being  chased  by  the  steamer  Hunter,ran  aground ;— the  steam- 
er also  shared  the  same  fate,  as  well  as  a  schooner  that  had 
endeavored  to  come  in.  The  crew  of  the  barque  were  in  a 
most  perilous  situation,  for  she  was  a  total  wreck ; — every 
mountain  billow  dashed  over  her  broken  frame ; — her  deck 
was  ripped  off;  her  foremast  and  mainmast  were  gone; — 
from  her  mizenmast  was  flying  a  signal  of  distress,  their  flag 
at  half-mast.  The  French  man-of-war  immediately,  in  the 
violent  gale,  sent  boats  to  rescue  the  crew,  who,  in  the  inter- 
vals between  the  waves,  could  be  seen  with  the  spy-glass 
hanging  to  the  timbers. 

"  Served  her  right,"  said  the  captain  of  our  ship,  as  he 
took  his  spy-glass  from  his  eye  ;  "  but,'  continued  he,  "  they 
can  well  afford  to  lose  the  ship,  after  making  as  much  as 
they  have  by  running  the  blockade." — "But,  captain,"  said 
one  of  our  officers,  as  he  took  the  glass  and  directed  it  to- 
wards the  wreck  in  the  distances, "  her  money  was  probably 
on  board  of  her." — "  Oh  no  !"  replied  he  ;  "  they  were  not 
so  foolish  as  to  risk  the  loss  of  that ;  probably  they  have  sent 
it  off  by  the  British  mail  steamer,  which  our  government, 
perhaps  too  fearful  of  offending  John  Bull,  have  allowed  to 
run  back  and  forth  continually  during  the  blockade." — And 
so  we  found  it  afterwards  : — the  vessel  was  lost,  but  the  mo- 
ney was  safe. 

In  the  fleet  of  vessels  around  us,  every  exertion  had  been 
made  by  each  to  hold  on  during  the  stormy  night ;  most  of 
them,  like  our  own,  had  done  so ;  but  three  had  parted  their 
chains,  and  had  gone  ashore,  where  they  now  lay,  with  every 
wave  dashing  over  them.  On  one,  which  had  filled  with  wa- 
ter, were  the  seamen  in  the  rigging,  and  a  crowd  of  men  on 
the  beach,  endeavoring  to  rescue  them, — which  was  finally 
accomplished,  with  the  loss  of  two  lives,  as  we  afterwards 
learned.  A  beautiful  white-bottomed  brig  had  gone  on  bows 
foremost,  and  was  hard  up  on  the  sand. 

In  the  distance,  in  front,  the  firing  from  the  castle  contin- 
ued unabated,  but  the  wind  was  so  furious,  and  so  moaned 
and  whistled  in  the  rigging,  and  the  dashing  surf  on  the  reef 
was  accompanied  with  so  loud  a  roar,  that  both  combined 
prevented  us  from  hearing  a  single  report  of  the  heavy  artil- 


508  GRAND  SCENE  FROM  THE  ANCHORAGE. 

lery.  The  smoke  from  each  discharge  blew  away  in  an  in- 
stant, instead  of  lingering  in  graceful  volumes  above  it,  as 
on  yesterday. 

No  more  artillery  or  stores  could  be  landed,  for  the  boats 
were  not  able  to  come  to  the  fleet; — many  of  them  were  thrown 
up  by  the  gale  on  the  beach : — so,  seeing  no  prospect  of 
being  landed  this  day,  and  knowing,  that  in  such  a  wind, 
nothing  was  doing  on  shore,  we  contented  ourselves  with 
watching  the  furious  war  of  the  elements,  and  the  deadly 
strife  of  men  visible  above  it.  Listlessness  no  one  could 
feel,  with  such  a  grand  scene,  upon  so  magnificent  a  scale, 
as  that  now  presented  to  them. — The  lofty  mountain  of  Ori- 
zaba, near  an  hundred  miles  distant  in  the  interior,  could  be 
seen  overlooking  all,  by  its  white  top  of  snow. 

During  the  whole  forenoon  the  scene  continued  of  furious 
winds,  with  a  clear  sky ;  of  rapidly  chasing  waves  within  the 
reefs ;  of  rolling  vessels  riding  out  the  gale ;  of  the  beach, 
lashed  with  foam  ;  of  the  heavy  surf  of  the  sea  thundering 
upon  the  reefs  to  windward  and  upon  the  shipwrecked  ves- 
sels, and  of  the  cannonade  from  the  castle  and  city. — In  the 
course  of  the  afternoon  the  wind  began  to  abate,  and  the 
boats  to  run,  although  it  was  still  dangerous  for  them ;  but 
the  necessity  for  cannon,  mortars,  shells  and  shot,  was  press- 
ing on  shore. — The  flag  was  hoisted  at  our  foremast  head,  in 
token  that  we  were  ready  to  go,  but  it  was  so  late  that  no 
boats  came  for  us  ;  and  so,  disappointed,  we  again  went  be- 
low, and  endeavored  to  pass  away  the  time  as  easily  as  pos- 
sible. With  our  ships  of  war  was  much  ceremony  and  firing 
salutes  during  the  day,  on  account  of  change  of  commanders 
— Com.  Perry  taking  the  place  of  Com.  Conner.  Night  came 
on,  and  with  it  the  brilliant  scene  of  rockets  and  bomb-shells 
from  the  enemy, 

Monday,  March  22d.  This  morning  the  wind  was  from  the 
south-east,  and  the  boats  had  been  passing  to  and  fro  from 
daylight,  and  the  greatest  activity  was  seen  among  them  and 
on  the  beach,  which  was,  for  its  long  extent,  almost  black 
with  the  crowds  of  soldiers,  seamen  and  laborers,  at  their  va- 
rious duties  Early  in  the  morning,  to  our  great  joy,  we  saw 
four  of  the  heavy  surf  boats,  each  manned  by  twelve  sea- 


LANDING  OF  THE  REGIMENT.  509 

men,  coming  towards  us  and  the  Desdemona,  near,  on  which 
was  our  second  battalion.  They  came  alongside,  and  sixty 
of  us  went  at  a  time,  in  each,  towards  the  beach,  where,  when 
we  struck  the  sands,  we  leaped  into  the  water,  holding  up 
our  guns,  and  soon  stood  upon  the  shore  amid  the  crowd,  close 
by  the  stranded  vessels. — The  boats  made  other  trips,  and  in 
an  hour  or  two  the  whole  regiment  had  left  the  two  noble 
ships  that  had  so  safely  brought  them,  and  were  again  on  the 
land,  in  the  midst  of  a  noisy,  apparently  confused,  extensive 
scene,  up  and  down  the  beach,  which  can  be  imagined,  but 
not  easily  described. 

During  the  time  occupied  by  the  boats,  as  they  returned  to 
the  ships  for  the  remainder  of  the  regiment,  we  that  had 
landed  threw  ourselves  on  the  sands,  and,  interested  in  the 
busy  scene  around  us,  passed  the  time  pleasantly,  await- 
ing their  return. — The  waves  threw  up  many  articles 
from  the  wrecked  barque  on  the  reef;  pieces  of  her  tim- 
bers and  furniture  were  scattered  along  the  shore.  Seeing  a 
large  object  floating  about  in  the  billows,  some  of  the  men 
stripped  off  and  swam  to  it,  and  found  it  to  be  a  hogshead 
of  wine. — With  a  whoop  they  announced  their  prize,  and 
many  jumped  into  the  water,  and  it  was  soon  rolled  ashore, 
the  head  knocked  in,  and  a  merry,  noisy  crowd  of  us  gather- 
ed around  it. — Every  canteen  near  was  filled ;  and  every  one 
had  a  draught  of  the  fine  liquor  that  the  waves  had  thrown 
up,  as  if  to  "treat"  us  on  our  landing  at  Vera  Cruz. — A 
cask  of  porter  soon  followed,  but  that  was  taken  possession 
of  by  the  officer  of  regulars  stationed  near. — Then  came 
another  object,  and  they  dashed  in  for  that.  On  getting 
it  out,  it  was  found  to  be  a  box  of  shoes.  These  were 
sold  by  the  rescuers  at  twenty-five  cents  per  pair.  They 
were  gone  quickly. — Something  else  was  seen,  and  the  swim- 
mers buffeted  the  rolling  surf,  and  brought  to  shore  a  couple 
of  boxes  of  ground  pepper,  in  papers.  The  pepper  was 
found  to  be  but  little  injured.  This  was  distributed  gratis 
among  the  messes. — Broken  kegs  and  rolls  of  butter,  mixed 
with  sand,  came  up  ;  but,  on  account  of  the  sand,  not  much 
attention  was  paid  to  it.  Some  "cute"  chaps,  however,  si- 
lently collected  it.  and  at  night,  placing  it  in  camp-kettlea, 


510  APPEARANCE  OF  THE  BEACH. 

melted  it ;  the  sand — which  was  clean — sunk  to  the  bottom, 
and  they  had  plenty  of  first  rate  butter :  a  great  rarity. — 
These  were  pronounced  "  smart,"  by  their  comrades. — Many 
other  things  came  ;  and,  after  the  regiment  had  gone,  some 
of  the  regulars  dashed  in,  and,  in  place  of  a  box  of  goods, 
brought  out  a  dead  man — one  of  the  shipwrecked  seamen. 

The  regiment  had  landed  upon  the  beach.  It  was  formed 
and  marched  up  to  the  encampment  of  Gen.  Pillow's  brig- 
ade, in  the  investing  lines,  to  the  rear  of  the  city ;  leaving  a 
small  guard,  to  protect  the  tents  and  baggage  remaining. 
On  this  guard  the  author  was  detailed ;  and,  there  being  no- 
thing to  do,  he  easily  obtained  the  opportunity  to  stroll 
around. — And  now,  reader,  will  you,  in  imagination,  accom- 
pany him  ? 

In  the  first  place,  you  stand  on  the  flat,  sandy  beach, 
which,  from  the  breaking  waves  on  the  right,  (as  you  look 
up  toward  the  city),  is  about  one  hundred  yards  in  width,  to 
the  base  of  the  fantastic  shaped  sand  hills  on  the  left. — 
These,  by  the  wind,  are  thrown  up  like  snow-drifts,  in  every 
shape  and  form,  from  fifty  to  two  hundred  feet  high.  They 
run  parallel  with  the  beach,  all  the  way  up  towards  the  city  ; 
and  the  whole  extent  of  this,  thus  bounded,  is  crowded  with 
busy  life. 

Near  us  are  the  vessels  which  have  been  driven  ashore. — 
They  are  endeavoring  to  get  off,  having  all  sail  backed  to  the 
wind ;  and  heaving  at  their  anchors,  placed  out  in  the  deep 
water. — You  observe,  to  the  right,  the  harbor  spread  out ; 
the  large  fleet  at  anchor ;  the  busy  boats,  going  and  return- 
ing ;  the  horse  transports,  throwing  horses  and  mules  over- 
board : — these  are  swimming  ashore,  and  are  caught  by  men 
stationed  along,  up  and  down  the  beach. — On  the  distant 
horizon  you  perceive  many  vessels,  which  are  coming  here, 
and  departing  hence. — On  the  left,  you  see  nothing  but  the 
bare  sand  hills,  and  the  camp  of  a  company  of  infantry — the 
picket  guard  in  this  direction. 

In  front  you  witness  such  a  crowd  and  bustle,  for  a  mile  or 
more,  that  you  can  make  nothing  of  it :  so  in  that  direction 
we  will  walk ;  but  first  notice  that  the  beach,  after  stretch- 
ing up  that  distance  in  a  straight  line,  takes  a  sweep  off  to 


SUMMONS  OF  GEN.  SCOTT  TO  GEN.  MORALES.  51 J 

the  right,  and  then  all  of  it  is  bare  ;  for  in  this  course  it 
comes  directly  under  the  range  of  the  guns  of  the  castle, 
which  you  see  still  further  up.  There  are  no  tents  or  men 
upon  it  there,  save,  in  the  distance,  three  horsemen,  which 
you  observe  going  up  with  a  white  flag. — Do  you  notice, 
that  on  the  heavy  battlements  of  the  castle,  the  firing  has 
ceased  ? — the  smoke  rolls  away  from  it,  and  a  corresponding 
white  flag  is  run  up  on  the  staff,  near  to  the  national  en- 
sign. You  observe,  too,  that  the  firing  ceases  from  the  city, 
and  all  is  still. — The  bearer  of  the  flag  is  Capt.  Johnson,  of 
the  engineers ;  he  is  accompanied  by  a  bugler,  to  sound  a 
parley,  and  an  interpreter.  He  is  bearing  from  Gen.  Scott 
a  summons  to  Gen.  Morales,*  the  Mexican  commander,  to 
surrender  the  city, — the  castle  he  asks  not  for ;  but  proposes, 

*  SUMMONS   OF    GKN\    SCOTT    TO   OKIT.   MORALES. 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY  op  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA,  ) 
Camp  Washington,  before  Vera  Cruz,  March  '£2,  1847.  J 

The  undersigned,  Major  General  Scott,  General-in-Chief  of  the  Armies  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  in  addition  to  the  close  blockade  of  the  coast  and  port  of 
Vera  Cruz,  previously  established  by  the  squadron  under  Commodore  Conner,  of  the 
Navy  of  the  said  States — having  now  fully  invested  the  said  City,  with  an  overwhelm- 
ing army,  so  as  to  render  it  impossible  that  its  garrison  should  receive  succor  or  rein- 
forcement of  any  kind ;  and  having  caused  to  be  established,  batteries  competent  to 
the  speedy  reduction  of  the  said  City — he,  the  undersigned,  deems  it  due  to  the  cour- 
tesies of  war,  in  like  cases,  as  well  as  to  the  rights  of  humanity,  to  summon  his 
Excellency,  the  Governor  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  City  of  Vera  Cruz,  to 
surrender  the  same  to  the  arms  of  the  United  States  of  America,  present  before  the 
place. 

The  undersigned,  anxious  to  spare  the  beautiful  city  of  Vera  Cruz  from  the  immi- 
nent hazard  of  demolition,  its  gallant  defenders  from  a  useless  effusion  of  blood,  and 
its  peaceful  inhabitants,  women  and  children,  inclusive,  from  the  inevitable  horrors 
of  a  triumphant  assault,  addresses  this  summons  to  the  intelligence,  the  gallantry  and 
patriotism,  no  less  than  to  the  humanity  of  his  Excellency,  the  Governor  and  Com- 
mander-in-Chief of  Vera  Cruz. 

The  undersigned  is  not  accurately  informed,  whether  both  the  city  of  Vera  Crui 
and  the  Castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa,  be  under  the  command  of  his  Excellency,  or 
whether  each  place  has  its  own  independent  commander,  but  the  undersigned,  moved 
by  the  considerations  adverted  to  above,  may  be  willing  to  stipulate,  that  if  the  city 
should,  by  capitulation,  be  garrisoned  by  a  part  of  his  troops,  no  missile  shall  be  fired 
from  within  the  city,  or  from  its  bastions  or  walls,  upon  the  Castle,  unless  the  Castle 
should  previously  fire  upon  the  city. 

The  undersigned  has  the  honor  to  tender  to  his  distinguished  opponent,  his  Excel- 
lency the  Governor  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  Vera  Cruz,  the  assurance  of  the 
high  respect  and  consideration  of  the  undersigned, 

[Signed]  W1NFIELD  SCOTT, 


512  CANNON— MORTARS—SHELLS. 

if  the  town  is  surrendered,  not  to  fire  on  the  castle,  provided 
that  it  does  not  fire  upon  the  city.  It  is  not  known  what 
effect  this  summons  will  have ;  as  Gen.  Morales  is  said 
to  be  a  brave  and  accomplished  officer  ;  but  we  will  soon 
find  out. — As  it  is  now  about  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  the  offi- 
cer carrying  the  flag  has  instructions  to  return  within  two 
hours,  and  will  not  be  back  in  less  than  that,  let  us  pursue 
our  walk. 

After  passing  the  stranded  vessels,  and  the  landing  horses, 
we  see  the  stores  of  all  kinds,  large  piles  of  corn,  oats, 
bread,  pork,  &c.,  are  being  taken  off  by  the  wagons,  to  the 
commissary's  and  quartermaster's  stations.  We  notice  a 
hundred  or  two  drowned  horses  that  are  washed  up  by  the 
waves  ;  these  were  from  a  wrecked  transport,  off  the  harbor. 
We  observe  landing,  great  numbers  of  ten  inch  shells,  which 
the  seamen  and  laborers  are  rolling  up  on  planks,  laid  along 
down  to  the  water ; — look  at  these  shells ;  they  are  round 
and  hollow ;  have  one  circular  hole  in  them  ;  by  looking  into 
that,  you  perceive  the  solid  iron  is  nearly  two  inches  thick  ; 
— lift  the  shell, — can't  do  it  well — too  heavy.  Observe  what 
a  pile  of  them  are  here  ; — beyond,  what  quantities  of  cannon 
shot.  You  see  about  fifty  men  carrying  from  the  large  boats 
square  copper  boxes  of  powder,  up  to  the  magazine,  which 
is  rudely  built  of  rough  plank  at  the  base  of  the  sand  hills. 

Here  are  several  mortars  landing ;  you  observe  that  they 
are  short  and  very  heavy ;  set  on  a  stout  timber  bed ;  their 
mouths  are  slanting  up,  and  you  can  almost  stand  in  one ; 
look  into  it, — it  is  very  thick  and  strong  ;  it  has  a  chamber 
below  for  the  powder.  They  are  hoisting  one  of  these  cum- 
brous, destructive  pieces,  upon  a  heavy  wagon  frame,  and 
in  the  night  it  is  going  up  to  the  trenches,  to  be  placed  in 
position. — Lying  beyond,  are  four  Paixhan  guns;  each  one 
weighs  two  or  three  tons  ; — see  how  heavy,  how  large  ;  the 
balls  they  carry  weigh  sixty-eight  pounds  each,  and  a  crash- 
ing they  make,  when  they  strike ; — here  is  a  large  pile  of 
these  shot.  These  cannon  are  to  go  up  to  the  batteries  also. 
— Here  are  large  piles  of  wagon-bodies,  axles,  tongues,  and 
bows,  and  hundreds  of  men  are  fitting  them  together,  for 
they  are  all  wanted  now. 


BUSY  SCENE  ON  THE  BEACH.  513 

Farther  up,  we  witness  crowds  of  seamen,  naval  oncers, 
quartermaster's  men,  and  soldiers,  all  at  work,  as  quickly  as 
they  can  spring  to  it,  in  the  landing  and  taking  care  of  so 
many  heavy  articles,  all  needed  immediately. — There  are  a 
number  of  men  fitting  upon  the  mules  the  new  harness,  which, 
in  boxes,  is  near  in  large  quantities. — Here  stand  a  row  of 
wagons,  loaded  with  the  heavy  shells,  to  start  after  dark  for 
the  trenches;  there,  powder-wagons,  the  same;  here  a  row 
of  mules,  packed  with  barrels  of  bread,  tents,  and  mess-bags, 
are  quietly  going  on  towards  the  camp,  around  the  city. — 
There  come  a  drove  of  wet  mules,  just  landed,  dashing  along, 
and  driven  towards  the  yard,  which  is  farther  up. 

Along  the  beach  are  many  small  boats  from  the  men-of- 
war  and  the  transport-ships  ;  many  landing  sutler's  goods, 
&c.,  and  men  are  taking  them  up  to  the  store  tents,  that  are 
thickly  stowed  one  to  another,  under  the  sand  hills,  each  with 
a  crowd  of  men  around,  buying.  High  and  dry,  here  and 
there,  you  see  the  huge  form  of  one  of  the  surf-boats,  which 
the  storm  drove  up.  There  are  thirty,  or  more,  of  these  so 
placed ;  and  as  they  are  all  wanted,  and  nearly  all  injured, 
you  observe  gangs  of  ship-carpenters  knocking  and  banging 
away  at  each. — Up  a  little  further,  brass  cannon  and  how- 
itzers are  landing,  and  the  soldiers  are  attending  to  them  as 
they  come. — Officers,  both  army  and  naval,  wagon-masters, 
quartermasters  and  commissaries,  mounted,  and  on  foot,  are 
in  the  scene,  giving  orders,  &c. — Let  us  look  into  one  of  the 
sutlers'  large  tents,  and  see  the  style  in  which  he  has  to  stow 
his  goods ; — all  in  confusion,  boxes  upon  boxes,  around,  and 
above  his  head,  leaving  a  little  area  in  which  he  stands  to 
sell. — You  have  to  keep  a  look-out  every  moment,  or  you  will 
be  run  over,  in  the  busy  scene ;  the  noise  of  so  many  opera- 
tions going  on,  confounds  you. — What  a  jabbering,  cursing, 
commanding,  shouting,  and  noise  mingles  from  the  long  ex- 
tent of  the  beach,  and  is  drowned  in  the  heavier  roar  of  the 
waves. 

You  may  travel  much,  reader,  but  it  will  be  a  long  time 

before  you  see  such  a  noisy,  active,  various,  crowded  scene 

as  that  on  the  beach  below  Vera  Cruz  now.     Look  around 

upon  it  up  and  down :  you  see  land  and  water ;  you  observe 

33 


514  HIGH   HILLS  OF   SAND. 

ships,fcbrigs,  schooners,  steamers,  launches,  surf  boats,  long 
boats  and  small  boats ;  you  perceive  artillery,  munitions  of 
war  of  every  kind,  stores  of  all  sorts,  wagons,  mules,  and 
horses ;  you  witness  officers,  soldiers,  seamen,  sutlers,  wag- 
oners, ship  carpenters,  wheel-wrights,  laborers,  and  loafers, 
crowding,  winding  and  turning  among  one  another,  and  be- 
tween and  about  the  high  piles  of  stores,  shells,  cannon  balls, 
goods,  &c.,  &c.,  from  the  brink  of  the  dashing  waves  to  the 
sand  hills. — Look  again,  for  it  is  worth  seeing. 

Passing  on,  after  a  long  walk,  we  come  up  to  the  head  of 
the  busy  scene,  and  to  the  point  where  the  beach  takes  a 
long  turn  off  to  the  right,  going  towards  the  castle  and  city. 
It  will  not  do  to  go  further  upon  it,  for  we  might  get  our  heads 
blown  off,  if  the  firing  re-commences  :  so  we  will  turn  to  the 
left,  along  the  road  which  has  been  made  among  the  sand 
hills,  towards  the  camp. — The  sand  now  is  deeper,  and  hard 
to  travel  through.  The  marquees  of  the  quartermaster  and 
commissary  departments  are  standing  thickly  on  each  side 
of  the  road,  and  the  bare  hills  are  thrown  up  like  huge  snow 
drifts  above  them.  Around,  in  the  little  valleys  between 
these,  some  of  which  are  covered  with  short  grass,  are  the 
camps  of  that  portion  of  the  troops  that  are  near  Gen.  Scott's 
quarters ;  which  are  over  the  next  sand  hill,  to  our  left. — 
The  road  is  crowded  with  soldiers,  laborers,  seamen,  horses, 
mules  and  wagons,  going  to  and  returning  from  camp  ;  and 
there  are  many  loose  burros,  whose  owners  have  fled  from  our 
neighborhood,  and  these  are  left  to  pick  up  their  living ; — 
they  are  caught  and  rode  by  the  sailors,  who  cut  a  queer  set 
of  capers  upon  them. 

Let  us  leave  the  road,  and  turning  to  the  right,  climb  up 
the  huge  sand  hill  and  look  around.  As  we  go  up,  you  ob- 
serve our  tracks  far  behind  us,  appearing  precisely  as  though 
they  were  made  in  snow  ;  and  you  see  the  surface  of  the  hill 
is  blown  into  thousands  of  little  ridges  and  waves,  like  those 
that  the  wintry  storm  at  home  piles  up  on  the  snow-drifts. 

Arrived  at  the  top  of  the  hill,  a  beautiful  and  extensive 
view  presents  itself.  Before  us  is  the  city ;  on  the  right  of 
it,  the  castle ;  between  us  and  the  city,  is  the  succession  of 
sand  hills,  which,  however,  there,  are  mostly  overgrown  with 


VIEW  FROM  A  SAND  HILL.  515 

musquit  bushes.  On  our  right,  we  see  the  beach  we  have 
left,  the  fleet  at  anchor,  the  islands  of  Sacrificios  and  Verde, 
and  beyond  them,  sweeping  around  the  castle  in  front,  the 
broad  blue  gulf.  The  castle  is  quiet,  and  the  white  flag  of 
truce  is  still  flying  from  above  it.  The  city  is  silent  also ; 
— no  smoke  is  seen ;  no  report  heard. — Our  trenches,  that 
run  along  between  the  city  and  ourselves,  cannot  be  discern- 
ed, being  concealed  by  the  musquit  chapparal  on  the  hills 
intervening ; — not  a  living  person  can  be  seen  in  that  direc- 
tion, though  the  trenches  are  full  of  soldiers,  artillery  and  in- 
fantry, of  Gen.  Worth's  division. 

None  of  our  camps  can  be  seen  from  this  height ;  they  are 
all  in  the  valleys  and  among  the  hills  behind  us,  and  stretch- 
ing round  to  our  left,  until  Gen.  Twiggs',  the  farthest  advan- 
ced, is  upon  the  edge  of  the  water,  to  the  north-west,  and  the 
city  is  thus  completely  invested ; — no  one  can  go  in  or  come 
out,  sjive  foreigners,  who  have  been  allowed,  until  to-day,  to 
leave  the  city  and  go  on  board  the  men-of-war  of  their  re- 
spective nations.  But  to-day,  Gen.  Scott  has  stopped  that 
privilege,  of  which  few  have  availed  themselves  ;  the  greater 
number,  with  the  consuls  of  England,  France,  Prussia  and 
Spain,  at  their  head,  believing  that  the  city  is  so  strong  and 
well  armed  that  we  cannot  take  it,  and  that  the  heavy  stone 
buildings  are  impervious  to  bomb-shells ;  and  if  we  should 
attempt  to  carry  it  by  storm,  that  we  would  be  cut  to  pieces  : 
— and  in  this  last  they  were  not  far  wrong. 

In  the  city  before  us,  and  around  the  walls  in  the  heavy 
forts,  are  nearly  five  thousand  men,  besides  the  inhabitants, 
well  armed,  with  near  two  hundred  cannon  and  mortars ; 
and  in  the  castle  to  the  right  are  more  than  a  thousand  men, 
with  more  than  two  hundred  heavy  cannon  and  mortars,  with 
plenty  of  water  and  provisions,  they  say. 

But  see  : — down  comes  the  white  flag  which  has  been  fly- 
ing on  the  castle,  and  we  see  the  horsemen,  with  the  flag  of 
truce,  coming  back  along  the  beach. — What  can  be  the  an- 
swer to  the  summons? — Look  at  that  white  smoke  that  darts 
out  from  the  city  wall,  followed  by  the  thundering  report : 
see  the  ball  throwing  up  that  cloud  of  dust  near  the  trenches. 
— That  gives  us  the  import  of  the  answer. — See  another  from 


516  RE-COMMENCEMENT   OK      MEXICAN    FIRING. 

the  same  fort,  and  shortly  another  ;  but  none  are  directed  to  • 
wards  the  horsemen,  who,  with  the  white  flag,  come  rapidly 
down  towards  us ; — they  dash  along  the  beach,  by  the  base 
of  the  hill,  and,  taking  the  road  by  which  we  left,  a  few  mo- 
ments' gallop  brings  them  to  the  quarters  of  Gen.  Scott. 

Let  us  look  back  over  the  hill,  towards  those. — Hardly  a 
moment  has  elapsed,  before  another  horseman  leaves  there  at 
full  speed  ;  does  not,  like  the  others,  go  up  the  beach. — He 
has  no  flag. — He  comes  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  passing 
around  it  and  among  the  others,  is  lost  to  our  view,  as  he 
moves  directly  towards  the  trenches.  Let  us  look ;  he  un- 
doubtedly carries  the  order  to  re-commence  firing,  for  several 
mortars  are  there  ready. — Every  moment  seems  an  age  of 
suspense.  That  single  battery  of  the  city  is  still  in  opera- 
tion, and  its  balls  plow  up  the  earth. 

But  see : — from  the  tangled  distant  growth  of  chapparal 
between  us  and  the  city,  a  large  volume  of  smoke  shoots  up 
and  rolls  out ;  another,  and  still  others  follow.  Hear  their 
stunning  reports,  together  with  the  noise  of  the  shells,  as 
they  pass  over  into  the  city.  The  first  few  burst  in  the  air ; 
— their  sharp  peals  are  like  sudden  claps  of  thunder. — The 
city  opens  from  all  the  batteries  in  reply.  Witness  the  vol- 
umes of  smoke  rising  from  the  castle,  and  the  booming  of 
artillery  is  incessant. 

Turn  around  to  the  right ; — see,  gracefully  approaching, 
five  slender  schooners  on  the  water,  and  with  them  two 
steamers; — they  take  their  positions.  They  are  what  is 
called  the  Mosquito  Fleet,  and  each  one  carries  heavy  guns, 
(Their  position,  taken  this  evening,  is  placed  on  the  right  of 
the  picture,  opposite  page  536).  See  the  smoke  rising  from 
them  ; — how  rapidly  they  fire. 

Now,  a  grand  scene  is  before  us. — Seven  large  mortars 
and  four  six-inch  cohorns,  smaller,  but  destructive,  from 
the  trenches  or  batteries  Nos.  1,  2,  and  3,  are  at  work,  and 
seven  heavy  guns  from  the  musquito  fleet ;  while  so  many 
are  opening  in  reply  from  the  castle  and  city,  that  we  can- 
not keep  the  account.  But  the  iron  storm  of  shot  and  shells, 
bursting,  plowing,  and  throwing  up  clouds  of  sand  and  dust, 
far  and  near,  are  doing  but  little  damage  to  our  troops  or 


ANSWERING  FIRE  OF  THE  AMERICANS.  517 

oatteries,  for  they  are  all  in  the  long  narrow  trenches,  under 
the  ground. 

Scott  has  not,  in  his  arrangements,  allowed  any  detach- 
ment to  expose  itself  to  the  destructive  fire  that  would  so 
quickly  annihilate  them.  Every  advance  near  them  has 
been  made  by  digging  at  night,  like  moles,  unseen,  slow,  but 
sure. — See  the  shells  from  the  fort  in  the  city,  nearest  the 
harbor,  burst  round  the  vessels. — Here  is  an  officer  who  is 
directly  from  Gen.  Scott's  quarters.  He  informs  us  that  Gen. 
Morales  sent  back  a  reply  to  Gen.  Scott,  refusing  to  surren- 
der the  city,  and  stating  his  determination  to  defend  it  to  the 
last* 

His  action  he  has  now  commenced  in  good  spirit. — The 
scene  is  such  that  you  could  remain  and  gaze  with  interest 
unabating  for  hours  ;  but  night  is  approaching,  and  the  au- 
thor must  return  to  his  post.  Let  us  descend  the  hill  to 
the  road ; — there  we  learn  that  Capt.  Vinton,  commanding 
the  batteries,  was  killed  a  few  moments  since,  by  one  of  the 
enemy's  shells. — Turning  to  the  crowded  beach,  we  find  it 
still  busy  as  before,  though  now  it  is  near  dark.  Three  heavy 
mortars  are  hoisted  on  the  wagon  frames,  and  these,  with 
the  wagons  containing  shells,  are  about  starting  out  for  the 
trenches,  as  they  cannot  now  be  seen  in  their  approaches 

*  REPLY  OF  GEN'.  MORALES  TO  GEN.  SCOTT's  SUMMONS. 

[TRANSLATION.] 

Vera  Cruz,  March  22,  ,1847. 

The  undersigned,  commanding  general  of  the  free  and  sovereign  state  of  Vera 
Cruz,  has  informed  himself  to  the  contents  of  the  note  which  Maj.  Gen.  Scott,  gen. 
«ral-in-chief  of  the  forces  of  the  United  States,  has  addressed  to  him,  under  date  of 
to-day,  demanding  the  surrender  of  this  place,  and  castle  of  Ulua ;  and,  in  answer, 
has  to  say,  that  the  above  named  fortress,  as  well  as  this  place,  depends  on  his  author- 
ity, and  it  being  the  principal  duty,  in  order  to  prove  worthy  of  the  confidence  placed 
in  him  by  the  government  of  the  nation,  to  defend  both  points  at  all  costs,  to  effect 
•which  he  counts  upon  the  necessary  elements,  and  will  make  it  good  to  the  last ; — 
therefore,  his  excellency  can  commence  his  operations  of  war  in  the  manner  which  he 
may  consider  most  advantageous. 

The  undersigned  has  the  honor  to  return  to  the  general-in-chief  of  the  forces  of  the 
United  States  the  demonstrations  of  esteem  he  may  be  pleased  to  honor  him  with. 

God  and  Liberty. 

(Signed)          JUAN  MORALES. 

To  MAJOR  GENERAL  SCOTT, 
General-in-chief  of  the  forces  of  the  Unite$  States, 
situated  in  sight  of  this  place. 


518          SCENE  FROM  THE  BEACH  BY  NIGHT. 

there. — Following  the  beach  down,  as  we  came  up,  through 
the  multitude,  who  seem  to  forget  that  there  is  any  such 
thing  as  rest  at  night,  we  at  last  come  to  the  stranded  ves- 
sels, and  near  them  are  the  guard  fires,  made  of  pieces  of  the 
wreck  washed  ashore.  Will  you,  in  imagination,  stay  with 
us  longer? — If  so,  sit  down  on  the  sand  around  the  fires, and 
take  with  us  a  tin  cup  of  hot  coffee  and  a  piece  of  hard 
bread,  with  a  piece  of  fat  pork. — We  would  offer  you  more, 
if  we  had  it. 

Gaze  around  :  how  wild  and  dark  is  the  scene  ; — the  trou- 
bled waves  dash  at  our  feet,  and  sparkle  in  their  foam :  the 
roar  of  their  breaking  is  continual.  The  wind  is  cool,  coming 
off  the  water. —  See  how  many  lights  are  visible  in  the  crowd- 
ed fleet  of  vessels  to  our  right,  and  what  a  number  more  are 
up  the  beach. — Observe  how  singularly  our  camp  fires  light 
the  sails  of  this  brig,  that  is  ashore  so  near  by  us  that  her 
bowsprit  is  almost  over  us. — What  a  ghastly  flickering  they 
throw  around,  and  illumine  the  rough  faces  of  the  men  who 
are  seated  about  you. — Are  we  not  a  hard  looking  set,  with 
our  long  mustachios  and  longer  whiskers,  and  rough  garbs, 
illumined  by  so  wild  a  light  ? — But  your  attention  is  drawn 
away  from  these  things,  which,  although  strange  and  inter- 
esting, cannot  keep  your  eyes  from  the  magnificent  scene  that 
is  still  going  on  towards  the  castle  and  city. — Observe  the 
bright  flashes  there,  as  they  for  the  instant  light  up  the  battle- 
ments of  the  castle,  and  render  the  heavy  volumes  of  smoke 
above  it  luminous  against  the  surrounding  darkness.  See 
the  same  from  the  vessels  :  one  instant  by  the  light  you  per- 
ceive the  whole  outline  of  the  vessel,  her  masts,  and  spars, 
and  smoke,  and  then  all  is  dark,  but  again  illumined ;  above 
the  whole,  describing  long  arcs  of  circles  high  in  the  air, 
see  the  bomb-shells  rising  over  and  falling,  shown  in  their 
courses  by  the  fuses,  which  twinkle  like  bright  red  stars. 
— Observe  that  flash  ;  notice  the  shell  thus  rising ; — count 
seconds:  one,  two,  three,  four, — it  is  still  rising, — five,  six, 
— it  takes  its  long  sweep, — seven, — it  is  coming  down, — 
eight,  nine, — it  has  fallen. — How  heavily  must  that  iron  mass 
of  a  hundred  pounds  have  fallen  from  such  a  height  as  that. 
But  look,  the  flash  of  the  explosion  brings  out  in  view,  for  an 


CONTINUATION  OF  BOMBARDMENT.  519 

instant,  the  domes  and  spires  among  which  it  descended. — 
The  report  you  cannot  distinguish  from  the  mingled  roar  of 
the  whole.  Several  shells,  from  both  sides,  are  in  the  air  at 
the  same  moment;  and,  in  their  high  sweeps,  they  cross  each 
other  in  their  lines  of  light. — After  gazing  at  the  scene, 
you  may  turn  from  it ;  yet  you  will  be  drawn  to  look  again. 
— But  the  night  wears  away,  and  on  the  cold  beach  around 
you,  the  soldiers,  spreading  their  blankets,  and  wrapping 
themselves  up  in  them,  seek  repose,  careless  of  the  morrow's 
fate. — This  sleeping  on  the  wet  sea-beach,  with  the  cold 
wind  upon  you,  and  with  a  single  blanket  only,  for.  bed  and 
covering,  with  the  dashing  waves  at  your  feet,  and  the  re- 
ports of  artillery  to  lull  you,  you  will  not  choose  ;  and  as  the 
author  is  obliged  to  take  it  so,  and  from  continued  exposure 
it  comes  easy,  too,  he  bids  you,  reader,  good-night. 

Saturday,  March  23d.  Will  you  again  accompany  the  author 
during  the  day?  for  in  the  various  and  important  events,  so 
rapidly  taking  place,  it  is  difficult  to  keep  up  with  them  ;  and 
now,  every  day  is  an  age  in  the  life  of  one  who  sees  them. 
— From  the  same  spot  we  left  last  night,  on  the  beach,  look 
with  him  around  you ; — the  cannonade  and  bombardment 
have  kept  their  continual  thunder  for  the  whole  night,  until 
about  an  hour  since.  The  landing  of  shot,  shells,  powder, 
cannon,  and  stores,  has  not  ceased  ;  fatigued  men  have  been 
replaced  by  fresh  ones,  and  all  is  yet  going  on.  Another 
vessel  has  arrived,  during  the  time,  with  thirteen  additional 
mortars,  and  quantities  of  shells,  which  are  landing. — Now 
there  is  a  quiet  in  the  storm  of  war ;  the  scene  around  is 
beautiful  and  grand.  The  castle  and  the  city  are  noiseless  ; 
the  little  fleet,  that  have  done  such  service  during  the  night, 
have  hauled  off  from  their  position,  and  are  resting,  as  it 
were,  near  the  heavy  ships  of  war.  The  batteries  are  also 
quiet. — The  sun  rises  from  his  ocean  bed,  and  his  rays  bright- 
en up  the  magnificent  stone  buildings  of  the  city  and  the  im- 
posing battlements  of  the  castle  ;  the  Mexican  flag,  of  green, 
red,  and  yellow,  floats  in  the  morning  air  from  the  lofty  staffs 
above  them ;  while  from  every  mast  in  the  crowded  fleet,  the 
stars  and  stripes  flow  out  in  the  light  breeze. — The  mountain 
of  Orizaba,  with  its  lofty,  snow-capped  summit,  is  distinctly 


520  MUSQUITO  FLEET   FIRING   AT   THE  CASTLE. 

visible  inland  ;  but  this  only  foretells  the  renewal  of  the  nor- 
ther, notwithstanding  the  calmness  of  the  scene  at  present. 
— The  scene  is  beautiful  of  nature's  quiet,  but  it  is  soon  to  be 
broken ;  for,  see,  the  signal  flags  are  run  up  on  the  commo- 
dore's ship.  These  are  responded  to  by  the  musquito  fleet,  of 
the  seven  small  vessels ;  which  immediately  move  out,  and 
fall  in  a  line  opposite  the  castle,  and  about  a  mile  from  it. 
— It  is  a  dangerous  position. — Look  at  them,  as  gracefully 
they  lay,  each  with  its  large  flag  waving  above. — There  goes 
the  smoke ;  and  again,  again,  and  again ;  the  loud  reports 
reverberate  along  the  sand  hills,  in  the  still,  morning  air. 
Their  shells  burst  in  and  about  the  castle,  but  that  seems  to 
notice  them  not. — "A  little  puppy,  barking  at  a  bull-dog," 
says  a  volunteer,  seated  on  the  sand,  and  with  us  watching 
them. — Still  the)*  fire,  and  are  enveloped  in  their  smoke ; 
now  a  slight  wind  takes  that  off  over  the  water.  But  look ! 
all  along  the  battlements  of  the  castle,  dart  out  sheets  of 
flame  and  clouds  of  smoke ; — around  the  vessels  the  water 
is  thrown  high,  in  perpendicular  columns  of  dashing  spray ; 
how  thickly  the  balls  fall  near  them ;  but  the  vessels  are  so 
small,  that,  at  the  distance,  they  are  hard  to  hit;  amid  the 
terrific  hail  of  iron  that  is  pouring  upon  them,  they  still  keep 
up  their  fire. — The  batteries  open  on  the  land,  and  throw 
their  shells  into  the  city.  The  three  mortars,  that  went  out 
last  night,  are  added  to  those  in  operation  before.  The  peals 
of  all  are  continual ;  the  ten-fold  number  of  cannon  along 
the  city  walls,  reply  in  their  thunders  ;  and  in  the  immense 
volumes  of  smoke  that  rise  from  all,  and  hang  over  and  among 
the  domes,  the  destructive  scene  closes  in. — But  observe,  one 
of  the  schooners  ceases  her  fire ;  the  steamer  goes  to  her, 
and  making  fast,  tows  her  rapidly  away.  She  is  badly  struck ; 
see,  her  mainmast  totters. — You  look  round,  at  the  splendid 
fleet  of  frigates  and  sloops  of  war,  with  the  line-of-battle 
ship,  Ohio,  at  their  head,  and  each  with  their  heavy  guns 
protruding  in  bristling  rows  from  their  sides,  and  with  gay 
streamers  from  their  tall  masts,  and  you  ask  why  they  do 
not  go  to  the  relief  of  the  little  vessels  that  are  in  such  a 
dangerous  situation. — They  know  better  than  to  do  it. — The 
castle  is  not  now  as  it  was  when  the  French,  by  accidentally 


CAMP  AT  MALIBRAN.  521 

blowing  up  one  of  its  magazines,  took  it,  when  it  was  al- 
ready almost  dismantled.  Then  its  powder  was  so  poor,  that 
the  shot  would  not  go  through  the  sides  of  the  ships  ;  only 
nineteen  of  its  guns  were  in  a  condition  to  be  worked,  and 
the  garri&on  were  all  unprepared  for  an  attack :  but  that  ca- 
tastrophe had  learned  them  a  lesson;  and  having  had  the 
whole  summer  to  prepare,  they  have  now  put  the  impregna- 
ble fortress  in  its  proper  state.  Its  guns  are  good,  its  pow- 
der excellent,  its  garrison  strong,  and  it  is  folly  for  our  large 
vessels  to  approach  it. — See,  the  signal  of  recall  is  hoisted 
on  the  commodore's  ship,  and  the  little  flotilla  haul  off  as 
fast  as  possible ; — they  have  had  enough,  and  will  not  try  it 
again. 

As  the  guard  of  our  regiment  are  now  going  up  to  the 
camp,  let  us  follow;  leaving,  for  the  present,  the  beach  at  this 
point,  and  passing  up  through  the  busy  crowd,  to  the  road, 
striking  off  in  that  to  the  left  and  winding  among  the  bare 
sand  hills,  upon  which  not  even  a  bunch  of  grass  can  find 
root ; — passing  over  these,  and  through  the  little  valleys  be- 
tween, we  come  to  hills  of  thick  chapparal,  through  which 
the  road  has  been  cut,  and  a  mile  and  a  half  distance  from 
the  beach,  brings  us  out  to  a  plain,  upon  which  is  a  winding 
lake  of  shallow  water;  at  the  extremity  of  this  plain  from 
the  town,  directly  towards  which  it  runs,  is  the  old,  ruined 
castle  of  Malibran  ;  and  in  the  rear  of  this,  we  find  our  regi- 
ment encamped,  with  some  of  the  2d  Tennessee  and  Illinois 
infantry.  In  a  building  near,  are  the  headquarters  of  Gen. 
Patterson.  (^1  view  of  this  old  ruin  may  be  seen  opposite  page 
528). — We  find  that  most  of  our  regiment  have  been  hard  at 
work  all  the  night,  in  hauling  the  sixty-eight  pounders,  from 
the  beach,  through  the  sand  and  over  the  hills,  to  a  new  work, 
called  the  Naval  Battery,  or  battery  No.  5,  which  is  erecting 
in  the  chapparal  on  a  hill,  not  far  from  the  city  walls  ;  of  the 
construction  of  this,  the  Mexicans,  as  yet,  are  not  aware;  it 
will  play  heavily  upon  them,  for  it  is  to  mount  six  guns,  three 
of  them  being  sixty-eight,  and  three  thirty-two  pounders. — 
The  men,  after  their  work,  are  stretched  out  in  their  tents 
asleep,  unmindful  of  the  continued  connonade,  that  is  thun- 
dering upon  the  air.  Some  few  are  on  the  old  ruins,  looking 


522        SLACKENING  OF  THE   FIRE  OF  MORTAR  BATTERIES. 

with  interest  upon  the  smoke-enveloped  city,  which  is  bet'oro 
them,  up  the  plain ;  though  the  general  will  not  let  many 
show  themselves  at  a  time,  lest  they  should  provoke  the  can- 
non balls  of  the  enemy,  for  we  are  directly  under  their  fire. 
— We  find  that  a  prisoner  was  taken  this  morning,  who  says, 
that  during  the  night  our  shells  were  most  destructive  within 
the  city.  And  now,  reader,  the  author  can  accompany  you 
no  farther  to-day,  not  knowing  at  what  time  the  regiment,  or 
part  of  it,  may  be  called  upon  for  more  active  service. 

— At  noon,  on  this  day,  according  to  the  indications  in  the 
morning,  the  norther  sprung  up  again,  and  blew  with  great 
Ibrce ;  throwing  the  sand  in  the  trenches,  blinding  the  eyes 
of  the  artillerists,  more  than  the  gunpowder  smoke  from  the 
mortars,  and  impeding  the  operations  much  ;  almost  stopping 
the  work  on  the  new  batteries,  Nos.  4  and  5. — It  also  raised 
the  waves  in  the  harbor  so  high,  and  dashed  them  so  on  the 
beach,  as  entirely  to  stop  the  passage  of  the  boats,  and  the 
landing  of  mortars,  shot,  and  shells ;  and,  for  the  want  of  the 
latter,  the  mortars,  which  had  thrown  them  so  incessantly 
into  the  city  during  the  night  and  the  forenoon,  were  now 
obliged  to  slacken  their  fire.  This  falling  off  seemed  to  en- 
courage the  enemy,  who,  from  the  castle  and  every  fort,  fired 
with  renewed  energy ; — for  the  norther  was  not  at  all  incon- 
venient to  them,  being  at  their  backs,  and  the  high  build- 
ings of  the  city  broke  its  force ;  neither  was  there  any  sand 
within  the  walls,  to  trouble  them ;  but  without,  it  rolled  in 
driving  clouds  into  the  trenches. — The  smoke  of  the  combat 
now  was  blown  off  as  it  issued  from  the  mouths  of  the  can- 
non, and  all  was  clear  above  the  city  and  castle. 

As  the  excitement  of  the  army,  daring  the  whole  day  and 
the  previous  night,  had  been  highly  raised,  they  were  now, 
even  to  every  soldier,  fretted  and  displeased  at  the  slow,  lan- 
guid manner  in  which  our  batteries  were  obliged  to  fire,  for 
the  want  of  shells,  and  on  account  of  the  furious  driving 
sand ;  and  at  the  rapidHy  of  the  discharges  of  the  enemy'a 
artillery,  so  cheered  by  the  depression  of  ours. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  storm  increased,  drove  many  of 
the  surf-boats  upon  the  beach,  and  entirely  stopped  the 
busy  scene  there,  before  described;  prostrated  the  sutlers' 


CITY  ON   FIRE  AFTER  NIGHT.  523 

store  tents,  and  sent  all  the  laborers  over  the  sand  hills,  for 
shelter. — Night  drew  on,  and  still  the  norther  continued  un- 
abated ;  the  castle  and  the  forts  of  the  city  were  lit  up  by 
the  continual  discharge  of  their  artillery ;  and  the  numerous 
shells  seemed  to  ride  out  towards  us,  borne  on  the  careering 
tempest ;  while  only  occasionally  did  our  opposing  shells  rise 
up,  and,  breasting  the  wind,  fall  over  from  their  long  sweep 
into  the  city. 

After  dark  we  had  an  alarm  of  an  attack  in  the  rear,  as 
we  had  had  the  night  before ;  and  as  we  knew  that  there 
were  some  two  thousand  lancers  near  by,  there  was  much 
bustle  and  preparation  made  to  receive  them ;  but  the  alarm 
proved  false. — About  nine  o'clock,  our  shells  set  fire  to  some 
of  the  buildings  within  the  walls,  and  they  burned  with  a 
lively  flame,  fanned  by  the  stormy  wind,  and  gave  out  a 
bright  light,  that  glared  on  all  the  buildings,  domes,  and 
spires  above,  bringing  them  into  strong  relief  against  the 
dark  sky  beyond,  and,  with  the  lurid  flashes  of  the  artillery 
below,  presented  a  scene  of  terrific  grandeur.  Then  the  fire 
burned  down,  and  only  black  smoke  arose  from  it,  and  all 
was  gloomy  and  dark,  save  the  flashes  of  the  guns.  We 
turned  away  from  the  strong  blasts,  in  which  we  had  been 
standing,  gazing  at  the  grand  appearance,  and, chilled  through, 
sought  our  tents,  where,  thickly  stowed  to  one  another,  and 
wrapped  in  blankets,  we  became  comfortable,  and  lay  quietly 
listening  to  the  rushing  wind  and  the  ceaseless  roar  of  the 
cannon,  and  dozed  quietly  off  to  sleep,  when  suddenly  came 
an  order  from  Gen.  Pillow,  for  four  companies  of  the  regi- 
ment to  march  to  the  beach,  and  drag  up  one  of  the  sixty- 
eight  pounders,  for  the  naval  battery.  We  passed  down, 
and  by  the  long  rope  attached  to  the  heavy  timber  wheels, 
under  which  hung  the  weighty  piece  of  artillery,  we  tugged 
and  pulled,  and,  in  our  endeavors,  sweat  and  blovved  with  it, 
as  we  passed  over  the  sand  hills  up  to  the  camp,  and  then  on 
to  the  battery,  which,  by  the  roundabout  way  we  had  to  go, 
was  nearly  three  and  a  half  miles.  It  was  the  toughest  sort 
of  work ;  and,  as  we  approached  the  place  of  the  battery, 
had  to  be  done  in  the  stillest  manner  possible,  to  avoid  discov- 
ery ;  the  bushes  concealed  the  place  from  the  view  of  those  in 


524  LABOR  AT  THE  NAVAL  BATTERY. 

the  city.  By  hard  labor  we  got  it  there  late  in  the  night,  ana 
it  was  soon  hoisted  upon  its  carriage,  and  stood  with  its  four 
companions,  with  their  long  black  muzzles  projecting  through 
the  embrasures  in  the  embankment,  which  was  thickly  laid 
tip  of  bags  filled  with  sand ;  the  sides  of  the  embrasures  were 
covered  with  raw  hides. — One  more  gun  was  lacking,  which 
had  been  brought,  by  another  detachment,  as  far  as  the  camp 
at  Malibran,  but  as  the  morning  approached,  it  was  stopped 
for  the  present ;  its  carriage  and  plank  platform,  like  the 
others,  were  ready  for  it,  and  we  regretted  that  it  could  not 
be  brought  on;  for  by  Gen.  Scott's  orders,  not  a  shot  was  to 
be  fired  from  the  whole  battery,  or  the  least  indication  of 
its  existence  given  to  the  Mexicans,  until  every  gun  was  in 
position  ;  for  this  battery,  when  known  to  them,  from  its  ele- 
vated position  would  draw  upon  itself  a  heavy  fire.  It  was 
to  be  manned  entirely  by  seamen  from  the  navy,  which  had 
furnished  the  guns,  though  detachments  from  the  brigades  of 
generals  Pillow,  Shields  and  Quitman,had  erected  the  battery. 
— The  naval  officers  and  seamen  were  impatient  for  the  other 
gun  ;  for,  without  it,  the  battery  would  have  to  remain  silent 
during  the  next  day ;  and  they  had  already  brought  the  shot 
and  ammunition. — So  busy  and  hard  at  work  had  we  been 
during  the  night,  that  we  had  scarcely  noticed  the  firing,  which 
from  our  side  had  almost  ceased,  and  from  the  enemy  had 
greatly  slackened;  nor  had  we  perceived,  till  our  task  was 
accomplished,  that  the  norther  had  spent  its  strength,  and 
was  now  dying  away. — Leaving  the  battery,  with  its  five 
guns  in  position,  in  charge  of  the  seamen,  we  were  dismissed 
an  hour  before  day,  and  finding  our  way  back  in  the  darkness 
to  Malibran,  we  quickly  stretched  ourselves  in  our  tents,  and 
were  soundly  asleep. 

Wednesday,  March  24th.  The  fire,  which  had  been  slack- 
ened off  before  daylight,  as  mentioned,  was  renewed  by  the 
enemy  with  vigor,  and  all  his  batteries  were  served  with 
great  rapidity,  and  shot  and  shell  fell  in  showers  over  our 
lines.  Our  own,  though  keeping  up  the  fire,  did  so  slowly, 
for  want  of  shells ;  but  every  one  of  these  fell  within  the  city, 
and  did  fearful  execution,  as  we  learned  from  some  deserters 
who  escaped  from  there  last  night. — The  naval  battery  being 


MOUNTING  THE    LAST  GUN.  525 

much  needed,  and  the  ammunition  for  it,  as  said  before,  be- 
ing ready  there,  while  that  of  the  mortars  was  scarce,  and  the 
only  remaining  gun  to  be  mounted  in  it  being  at  Malibran, 
in,  front  of  the  quarters  of  Gen.  Patterson,  Gen.  Pillow,  after 
examining  the  road,  determined  to  run  the  risk,  and  take 
the  gun  to  the  battery  in  open  day;  being  urged  to  it,  by  the 
slackening  fires  of  the  mortars,  and  the  vigorous  cannonading 
of  the  enemy.  This  was  a  hazardous  undertaking ;  for, 
after  proceeding  over  the  hills  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile, 
the  way  lay  for  several  hundred  yards,  up  along  the  side  of 
the  level  railroad,  in  view  of,  and  directly  in  front  of  one 
of  the  forts  of  the  enemy,  on  the  walls,  the  guns  of  which 
could  bear  directly  down  the  road,  and  rake  it  for  a  mile. — 
Gen.  Patterson,  seeing  the  risk  on  one  side,  and  the  advan- 
tage, if  successful,  on  the  other,  simply  repeated  to  Gen.  Pil- 
low the  order  of  Scott,  that  the  guns  should  be  carried  during 
the  night,  and  remarked  to  him,  that  if  he  undertook  it,  that 
it  would  be  on  his  own  responsibility.  Pillow,  after  noticing 
that  the  battery  to  which  he  would  be  exposed  was  almost 
constantly  enveloped  in  smoke,  from  its  rapid  firing,  and  as 
the  wind  had  ceased,  judging  that  such  a  movement  as  he 
contemplated,  would  not  be  thought  of,  or  watched  for  by  the 
enemy,  determined  to  carry  it  into  execution  ;  and,  ordering 
out  a  heavy  detachment,  the  gun  was  taken  over  the  hill 
to  the  railroad.  Now  came  the  trying  time ;  the  road  was 
level ;  steep  hills  of  chapparal  were  on  one  side  of  it,  and 
the  railroad  on  the  other,  and  immediately  in  front,  in  the 
city  wall,  was  the  dreaded  battery  .—The  detachment,  with 
the  gun,  rapidly  advanced  up  the  road ;  the  battery  contin- 
ued discharging  its  cannon  at  the  trenches  on  the  right,  and 
still  the  clouds  of  smoke  settled  over  it ;  once  or  twice  this 
smoke  blew  away,  so  that  it  was  clear  for  a  moment ;  but 
the  enemy  there  not  dreaming  of  so  bold  a  move  as  an 
advance  uncovered,  up  the  railroad,  paid  no  attention  to 
the  view  of  it.  Again  the  battery  was  enveloped,  as  the  gun 
advanced ;  it  reached  the  road  to  the  right,  up  the  hill ;  turned 
into  it;  was  concealed  by  the  chapparal;  was  undiscovered, 
safe,  and  soon  at  the  battery,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  brave 
naval  officers  and  the  seamen,  who  had  given  up  all  hope  of 


526  OPENING  OF  THE  NAVAL  BATTERY. 

opening  the  fire  of  the  work  until  the  morrow. — It  was  soon 
placed  in  position  ;  the  chapparal  in  front,  on  the  brow  of  the 
hill,  was  quietly  cut  down,  and,  to  the  astonishment  of  the 
Mexicans,  so  elated  at  the  slackening  fire  of  the  mortar  bat- 
teries, this  opened  its  six  pieces,  with  a  terrific  and  well-di- 
rected discharge  of  its  heavy  shot ;  which,  especially  the  sixty- 
eights,  made  the  stones  and  mortar  fly  from  the  building-5 
and  walls — they  crashed  through  blocks  at  a  time,  and  a  dif- 
ferent aspect  was  placed  upon  the  day.  All  the  Mexican 
batteries,  that  could  bear,  immediately  turned  their  fire 
upon  the  new  and  destructive  work ;  which,  now  under 
the  command  of  Capt.  Aulick,  second  officer  of  the  naval 
force,  sent  the  heavy  shot  with  such  effect  among  them. — 
This  it  kept  up  for  the  remainder  of  the  day;  in  the  after- 
noon, under  the  command  of  Capt.  Mayo.  In  a  short  time 
after  it  opened,  four  sailors  within  it  were  killed,  two  badly 
wounded,  and  Lieut.  Baldwin  slightly.  The  dead  were  taken 
off,  down  to  Malibran  (see  picture). — The  battery  was  much 
torn  to  pieces  by  the  shot  of  the  enemy. 

The  storm  having  now  subsided,  the  landing  of  shot,  shell 
and  mortars  was  resumed  with  spirit;  and  all  the  afternoon 
the  beach  presented  the  busy  scene  before  described,  and  the 
utmost  efforts  were  made  to  supply  the  mortar  batteries, 
Nos.  1,  2  and  3,  under  the  direction  of  Col.  Bankhead,  called 
Worth's  batteries,  with  shells,  so  much  needed  by  them. 

At  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.,  our  shells  set  fire  to  some  build- 
ings in  the  city,  and  dense  volumes  of  black  smoke  arose  on 
the  air,  contrasting  with  the  white  volumes  from  the  artil- 
lery below,  along  the  walls,  and  increasing  the  grandeur  of 
the  scene. 

The  Mexicans  fought  with  great  gallantry  and  bravery ; — 
their  artillery  was  served  in  such  a  way  as  to  excite  the  ad- 
miration of  our  officers,  who  universally  remarked  that  it 
could  not  possibly  have  been  better  done  ;  and  the  only  rea- 
son that  their  powerful  fire  was  not  more  destructive  among 
us,  was  the  most  excellent  arrangement  of  Scott,  for  the  de- 
fence of  the  men. — They  tore  the  heavy  embrasures  of  the 
naval  battery,  at  which  only  they  could  get  a  chance,  com- 
pletely to  pieces.  The  fire  from  that  battery  had  been  di- 


MEXICAN   FORTS.  527 

rected  much  against  a  fort  opposite  to  it,  called  St.  Barbara, 
— by  our  men  called  the  "  red  fort,"  from  the  color  of  the 
buildings  behind  it. 

The  Mexican  flag  above  this  fort  was  cut  down  by  a  ball. 
— Our  troops  in  the  battery  and  trenches  stopped  firing  for  a 
moment,  and  raised  three  cheers  all  along,  the  sound  of  which 
rose  above  the  bombardment.  The  Mexican  officers  and 
soldiers  jumped  down  on  the  outside  of  their  fort,  seized 
their  flag,  and,  amid  the  heavy  balls  that  again  flew  among 
them,  held  it  to  its  place  until  it  was  lashed. — This  gallant 
act  excited  the  astonishment  of  our  men. 

The  fort  to  the  eastward  of  it,  or  to  the  right  as  we  face 
the  city  from  the  south,  called  by  us,  from  its  position  "  the 
railroad  fort,"  fired  most  accurately.  One  gun,  a  twenty -four- 
pounder,  was  known  by  its  peculiar  sharp  report,  and  the  ar- 
tillerists so  managed  it,  that  the  balls,  rapidly  following  one 
another,  struck  the  naval  battery,  entering  the  embrasures, 
and  never  missing  farther  than  two  or  three  feet.  Our  men 
called  it  "  spiteful,"  and  named  it  the  "  spit-fire." 

Another  fort  still  farther  to  the  east,  along  the  walls,  call- 
ed by  our  troops  the  "  white  fort,"  was  close  by  the  "  Gate  of 
Mercy,"  or  principal  entrance  of  the  city  ;  (for  a  view  of  part 
of  this  fort,  see  plate  of  "  Gate  of  Mercy,"  opposite  page 
566).  It  was  very  active,  and  had  not  suffered  much ;  the 
naval  battery  not  having  any  opportunity  to  pay  its  respect* 
to  it,  having  enough  to  do  to  answer  the  fire  of  the  forts  of 
St.  Barbara  and  the  "  rail  road  fort."  A  mortar  was  between 
these  two  forts,  by  itself,  and  threw  shells  without  intermis- 
sion, sometimes  at  the  trenches,  sometimes  at  the  naval  bat- 
tery, and  sometimes  over  towards  our  camps  at  Malibran. 
One  of  its  shells  fell  directly  into  the  narrow  trenches,  about 
two  o'clock,  and  stopped  under  the  mouth  of  a  mortar  which 
had  just  been  loaded,  and  its  heavy  shell  lifted  into  it ;  in- 
stantly exploded,  wrapped  the  mortar  in  flame,  ignited  its 
charge,  thus  sending  its  shell  high  in  the  air,  to  fall  into* 
the  city ;  in  the  same  instant  tearing  the  heavy  mortar, 
which  could  not  have  weighed  less  than  two  thousand 
pounds,  from  its  firm  timber  bed,  breaking  the  strong  iron 
clamps  that  confined  it,  and  sending  the  whole  into  the  airr 


528  FORCE  OF  EXPLODING  SHELLS. 

out  of  the  trench,  and  forty  feet  back  from  it. — Most  fortu- 
nately, the  exploding  fragments  of  thick  iron  passed  up,  in- 
stead of  horizontally  in  the  trenches,  thus  saving  the  lives  of 
scores  of  men. — Some  of  the  small  pieces  mortally  wounded 
one  man,  and  severely  three  others, — several  slightly.  Lieut. 
Arnold — who  commanded  the  mortar,  that  thus,  after  doing 
its  duty,  by  a  continual  fire  for  two  days  and  nights,  (begin- 
ning on  the  afternoon  of  the  22d),  had  most  unceremoniously 
been  thrown  out  of  the  trenches, — narrowly  escaped  with 
his  life,  and  was  left  without  a  gun. 

This  was  but  an  ordinary  example  of  the  force  of  an  ex- 
ploding shell,  but  they  are  much  more  destructive,  when  fall- 
ing in  a  confined  place — such  as  the  interior  of  a  building. 
What,  then,  must  have  been  the  effect  in  the  crowded  city, 
into  which,  though  the  firing  last  night  and  this  day  had  been 
slow,  the  mortars  have,  in  these  forty-eight  hours,  thrown  over 
two  thousand  of  the  ponderous  missiles.  These,  from  their 
high  sweeps  aloft,  have  descended  with  irresistible  force  on 
the  stone  tops  of  the  buildings,  passing  through  them  and 
all  the  floors,  and  exploding  below ; — or  else  falling  into  the 
streets  and  crowded  squares,  spreading  death  and  destruc- 
tion among  soldiers  and  inhabitants,  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren, in  one  common  sweep.  But  that  is  not  all — for  the 
musquito  fleet  has  thrown  in  over  a  thousand  more  ; — not  so 
heavy,  but  yet  averaging  sixty-two  pounds  each ;  and  most 
destructive  are  they  in  explosion  and  powerful  in  force,  in 
their  descent  from  their  high  elevations,  in  which  they  ap- 
peared almost  to  touch  the  lower  clouds.  And  not  only 
these,  but  the  naval  battery,  this  day,  so  far,  has  thrown 
nearly  three  hundred  sixty-eight  pound  and  thirty-twos, 
direct  shot,  which  have  produced  a  terrible  effect. 

Yet  there  is  not  the  slightest  appearance  of  surrender  or 
slackening  of  the  enemy's  fire. — With  a  strong  and  efficient 
garrison,  a  massive  built  city,  and  the  best  fortifications  in, 
around,  and  near  it,  on  the  continent  of  America ;  with  a 
most  complete  and  heavy  armament,  and  the  utmost  abun- 
dance of  material  of  war — they  seem  determined  to  carry 
out  the  promise  of  Gen.  Morales,  to  defend  the  place  to  the 
last ;  their  flags  yet  wave  out  in  defiance,  supported  by  their 


EFFECT  OF  BOMBARDMENT.  531 

ceaseless  artillery. — They  have  probably  fired  about  five  can- 
non or  mortars  to  our  one ;  or,  during  the  two  days,  so  far, 
near  fifteen  thousand  shot  and  shells,  besides  an  enormous 
number  before  our  batteries  commenced.  The  plain  and  the 
hills  are  covered  with  balls  and  fragments  of  shells,  and  the 
ground  is  torn,  blown,  and  plowed  up  in  every  direction. 
The  awful,  constant  roar  of  this  artillery,  and  the  sublimity 
of  the  scene,  the  reader  can  hardly  imagine. 

Fort  Santiago,  on  the  water's  edge,  is  a  fine  work,  and 
its  guns  are  most  excellently  managed.  The  magnificent 
castle  in  the  distance  belches  forth  its  thunder,  and  sends  its 
heavy  shells  over  the  lower  part  of  the  city,  into  our  lines, 
without  intermission. 

Now,  reader,  leaving  this  thunder  of  the  artillery  and 
gathering  volumes  of  smoke,  to  relieve  our  minds,  let  us  turn 
our  attention  to  the  more  quiet  scenes  of  camp  at  Malibran, 
represented  on  the  opposite  page. — This  old  building  that 
you  see,  still  strong  in  its  ruins,  was  once  a  splendid  place. 
It  was  constructed  more  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  years 
since,  by  a  Spanish  count ; — was  occupied  by  his  descendants, 
as  a  palace,  for  several  generations ; — then  went  to  ruins, 
and  so  remains. — The  walls,  which  surrounded  the  grounds, 
are  now  broken ; — some  of  them  can  be  seen  in  the  picture. 
That  in  the  foreground,  that  runs  around  the  lake,  is  nearly 
entire ;  it  has  several  round  holes  in  it,  which  are  earthen 
jugs  set  in  :  for,  to  help  out  in  the  material  of  building,  in 
this  section,  the  former  inhabitants  set  rows  of  jugs,  each 
filled  with  earth,  in  the  walls,  and  plastered  them  around 
with  mortar  and  stone,  and  from  their  shape  and  situation, 
they  were  strong  and  firm.  Now,  many  of  them  are  broken 
into,  and  the  sand  has  run  out. 

The  water  in  front  is  part  of  the  lake,  which  extends  back 
towards  the  city  ;  for,  in  this  picture,  we  are  supposed  to 
stand  upon  the  wall,  which  ends  in  the  water,  with  the  city 
behind  us. — Several  sentinels  are  standing  around  the  build- 
ing ;  in  the  ruined  arches  of  this  are  yet  perfect  stone  rooms  ; 
— these  are  the  quarters  of  several  of  the  officers.  On  the 
top  of  the  ruins  rises  a  singular  and  large  species  of  ivy, 
which  grows  like  a  tree,  finding  no  earth  for  its  roots,  which 


532  RUINS  OF  MALIBRAN. 

insinuate  themselves  in  every  crevice  of  the  stone,  and  run 
up  and  down  the  sides  of  the  ruin,  within  and  without,  cling- 
ing with  great  tenacity. — The  dead  and  wounded  are  brought 
in  from  the  batteries,  which,  are  pealing  away  behind  us. 

On  the  hill,  to  the  right,  are  the  tents  of  some  infantry 
companies,  while  behind  the  building,  and  on  the  left,  crow- 
ded together,  are  those  of  our  regiment,  and  two  companies 
of  the  second  Tennessee.  On  the  little  hill  over  the  tents, 
are  a  number  of  our  men  looking  above  our  heads  in  front, 
at  the  bombardment.  The  top  of  the  old  ruins  would  be 
crowded  with  these  also,  but  Gen.  Patterson  has  forbidden 
the  men  to  go  up  there,  because  they  draw  the  shells  of  the 
enemy,  who  are  ignorant,  as  yet,  that  this  is  his  headquar- 
ters. These  are  in  the  building  to  the  right,  but  little  of 
•which  can  be  seen.  The  muskets  of  a  company  are  stacked 
before  it,  and  a  sentinel  is  on  post  by  them.  On  the  left  of 
the  picture  is  an  officer,  coming  at  full  speed  from  the  head- 
quarters of  Gen.  Scott,  bearing  orders  to  Gen.  Patterson. — 
Two  sailors  are  riding  little  burros  that  they  have  picked  up, 
and  are  exciting  much  sport. 

In  the  camp,  the  men  are  variously  employed  : — most  of 
them  are  now  up,  having  been  asleep  at  times  during  the 
day,  exhausted  by  the  hard  labor  of  last  night  and  the  night 
before,  in  the  batteries. — Parties  of  them  have  been  out  to- 
wards the  interior;  have  had  a  skirmish  with  a  scouting  party 
of  Mexican  lancers  in  our  rear,  and  repulsed  them,  killing 
some  few,  and  now  have  returned,  loaded  down  with  fresh 
beef  that  they  have  killed,  and  vegetables  from  the  gardens 
of  the  ranchos  around,  from  which  the  families  have  fled ; 
they  are  engaged  in  cooking,  and  have  entirely  forgotten  the 
horrors  of  the  bombardment  that  is  raging,  and  are  laugh-- 
ing, joking,  telling  tales,  and  enjoying  themselves  finely. — 
They  were  just  now  interrupted  by  one  of  the  larger  shells 
thrown  from  the  city,  which  came  with  a  loud  noise,  and 
caused  them  to  dodge  about  the  tents  in  an  amusing  man- 
ner ;  but  the  falling  shell  burst  in  the  lake,  and  the  pieces 
flew,  amid  the  smoke  and  mud,  with  sharp,  long,  singing 
sounds,  far  on  every  side,  but  fortunately  touched  no  one. 

Some  stop  and  appear  serious  for  a  moment,  as  they  look 


APPEARANCE  OP   THE   DEAD. 

at  the  mangled  dead  that  lay  under  the  arch  of  the  buildings. 
One  had  a  horrible  appearance,  that  struck  them  particu- 
larly ; — he  was  a  stout,  muscular  man,  of  perhaps  forty  years 
of  age.  A  cannon  ball  from  that  excellent  gun,  with  keen 
report,  that  has  been  mentioned,  had  entered  the  embrasure, 
striking  him  fairly  on  the  right  breast,  tearing  a  terrible  hole 
through  him,  and  taking  his  lungs  through  his  back. — He  was 
dead  in  an  instant. — His  countenance  had  an  expression  of 
mortal  agony  upon  it ; — his  blear  eyes  gazed  upward. — The 
wound  was  obscured  with  dirt  and  sand ;  his  hands  were 
clenched,  and  his  bloody  hair  streamed  back. 

Two,  that  lay  immediately  along  side  of  him,  however, 
had  smiles  on  their  countenances,  and  one  appeared  to  be 
in  a  sleep,  with  pleasant  dreams,  if  we  might  so  express  it : 
for  he  was  not  mangled  or  torn. — He  was  neatly  dressed, 
was  young,  of  fine  form  and  handsome  countenance.  A  small 
piece  of  a  bursting  shell  had  entered  his  head,  above  his  ear. 
He  had  bled  but  little,  and  died  so  quickly,  that  the  laugh 
that  he  was  giving  utterance  to,  excited  by  an  odd  remark 
of  his  comrade,  as  they  were  assisting  to  fire  the  heavy  can- 
non, was  yet  depicted  on  his  countenance. — That  comrade, 
too,  had  the  same  expression,  as  he  was  killed  at  the  same 
instant ;  but  he  was  most  horribly  mangled : — one  piece  of 
the  shell  had  taken  off  the  back  and  side  of  his  head ;  the 
brain  was  all  out  of  the  bloody  skull,  and  sand  was  stuck 
thickly  within,  while  the  long  hair  that  covered  the  remain- 
der was  stiff  with  blood  and  dirt. — Another  piece  had  struck 
his  right  shoulder  in  front,  and  had  torn  and  mangled  the 
shoulder,  arm,  breast,  and  ribs,  in  a  hideous  manner.  The 
long  strips  of  skin,  of  bloody,  hanging  flesh,  of  white  sinews, 
ends  of  bones,  and  protruding  vitals,  with  the  torn  clothing 
among  them,  and  sand  within  him,  was  revolting  to  the  eye  ; 
and  the  laughing  features  seemed  to  mock  the  terrible,  man- 
gled expression  of  death. 

The  batteries  of  the  enemy  increased  in  rapidity  about 
sunset,  and  kept  up  vigorously ;  and,  after  dark,  ours  began 
to  answer  them  more  rapidly,  for  they  had  shells  on  hand  ; 
and,  as  large  trains  of  wagons  now  went  to  them,  conveying 
part  of  the  immense  quantity  that  had  been  landed  during 


FLAG  OF  TRUCE  FROM  FOREIGN  CONSULS. 

the  day,  after  the  cessation  of  the  norther,  there  was  no  fear 
of  their  exhausting  the  quantity  ;  and  they  fired  freely,  with 
a  continual  roar. 

Another  fire  was  kindled  by  the  explosions  in  the  city,  and 
burnt  with  brilliancy ;  in  and  around  the  flame,  our  bombs 
came  down  from  the  long  sweeps,  in  which  their  courses 
had  been  traced  by  the  twinkling  fuses,  and  brilliantly,  with 
sullen  roar,  exploded  in  the  midst. 

At  nine  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  fire  of  the  forts  and  batteries 
of  the  enemy  had  slackened,  and  shortly  after  ceased ;  and 
a  sally  of  the  garrison  being  expected,  more  troops  were 
thrown  into  the  trenches ; — but  the  cessation  proved  to  be 
from  another  cause  : — four  foreign  merchants  came  out  with 
a  flag  of  truce  from  the  foreign  consuls  in  the  city  to  Gen. 
Scott,  requesting  a  truce  and  suspension  of  firing,  to  enable 
the  subjects  of  the  powers  of  England,  France,  Spain,  and 
Prussia,  to  leave  the  city  with  their  families,  &c. ; — the  city 
was  becoming  too  hot  for  them  ;  and  their  opinion  was  alter- 
ing with  respect  to  the  efficiency  of  the  bombardment. — We 
now  heard  definitely  of  the  terrible  destruction  within  the 
walls. 

No  answer  was  returned  this  evening  by  Gen.  Scott  to  this 
application,  but  every  arrangement  was  made  for  carrying 
on  the  bombardment.  Large  quantities  of  shot  and  sheila 
were  landed  from  the  fleet  during  the  night,  and  the  wagons 
were  engaged  during  the  same  time  in  taking  them  to  the 
batteries.  Detachments  of  our  regiment,  and  others,  were 
occupied  nearly  the  whole  night,  in  repairing  the  damage 
done  to  the  naval  battery  during  the  day,  and  in  mounting 
the  guns  at  a  new  battery,  No.  4,  which  was  between  No.  5 
and  the  mortars.  These  guns,  two  sixty-eights,  Paixans, 
and  four  twenty-fours,  were  all  got  ready,  and  amply  sup- 
plied with  ammunition  ;  and,  at  a  late  hour,  the  men  detailed 
to  work,  after  having  filled  and  placed  up  two  thousand  bags 
of  sand,  returned  to  camp,  and  threw  themselves  down  to 
sleep. 

Thursday,  March  25lh.  Early  this  morning  Gen.  Scott  sent 
back  his  answer  to  the  communication  of  the  consuls  of 
England,  France,  Spain  and  Prussia,  which  he  received  last 


ANSWER  OF  GEN.  SCOTT.  535 

night.*  As  this  was  a  decided  refusal  to  their  request,  no 
delay  was  made  in  the  progress  of  the  bombardment.  The 
fire  had  slackened  off  during  the  night  on  both  sides  ;  but  di- 
rectly after  daylight,  Gen.  Worth's  batteries,  1,  2,  and  3, 
mortars  and  cohorns,  (smaller  mortars),  commenced  the  fire 
with  great  rapidity,  having  now  plenty  of  ammunition  and 
shells.  The  new  battery,  No.  4,  finished  last  night,  opened 
in  fine  style,  and  fired  most  rapidly,  while  the  naval  bat- 
tery, thoroughly  re-fitted,  was  not  behind,  in  pouring  its 
heavy  shot  with  the  others,  upon  the  devoted  city.  Already 
had  great  distress  arisen  within  the  walls. — Those  who  were 
at  work  in  the  darkness,  on  the  naval  battery,  spoke,  this 
morning,  of  the  continual  shrieking  and  wailing  that  rose 
from  the  city,  on  the  stillness  of  the  night,  after  the  firing 
had  ceased ;  but  now  that  distress  rapidly  accumulated  :  for 
three  shells  to  one,  and  double  the  shot,  were  going  in. — 

*  ANSWER    OF   GEN.   SCOTT   TO   THE    FOREIGN    CONSULS. 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY  ov  THE  UNITED  STATES,        > 
Camp  Washington,  before  Vera  Cruz,  March  25th,  1847.  J 

The  undersigned,  Major  General  Scott,  &c.,  &c.,  had  the  honor  to  receive  (late  last 
night)  the  memorial  signed  by  the  consuls  of  Great  Britain,  France,  Spain,  and  Prus- 
sia, in  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz,  requesting  that  the  undersigned  would  grant  a  truce 
sufficient  to  enable  the  consuls  and  the  subjects  of  those  powers,  together  with  Mexi- 
can women  and  children,  to  leave  that  city,  now  under  a  close  siege  and  blockade. 

The  undersigned  deeply  regrets  the  lateness  of  this  application,  for  up  to  the  22d 
instant,  the  communication  between  the  neutrals  in  Vera  Cruz  and  the  neutral  ships 
of  war,  lying  off  Sacrificios,  was  left  open,  mainly  to  allow  the  neutrals  an  opportu- 
nity to  escape  the  horrors  of  the  impending  siege,  of  which  the  undersigned  gave  to 
the  consuls  every  admonition  in  his  power. 

In  respect  to  a  truce,  it  must  be  evident,  on  reflection,  that  the  undersigned  cannot 
grant  one,  except  on  the  application  of  the  governor  or  commander-in-chief  of  Vera 
Cruz,  accompanied  by  a  distinct  proposition  of  surrender.  In  the  meantime,  the  siege 
will  go  on  with  increased  means  and  rigor. 

That  the  unavoidable  distress  of  the  women  and  children  in  the  besieged  place  had 
deeply  engaged  the  sympathies  of  the  undersigned,  before  one  shot  or  shell  had  been 
fired  by  him  in  that  direction,  he  begs  to  refer  to  the  accompanying  copy  of  his  sum- 
mons, addressed  the  22d  instant,  to  his  excellency  the  governor  and  commander-in- 
chief  of  Vera  Cruz.  His  excellency  chose  to  consider  the  castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulua, 
as  well  as  Vera  Cruz,  to  be  included  in  that  summons,  and  expressed  his  confidence 
in  his  ability  to  make  a  successful  defence  of  both. 

The  undersigned  has  the  honor  to  tender  to  the  consuls  of  Great  Britain,  France, 
Spain,  and  Prussia,  the  assurar.ee  of  his  high  respect  and  consideration. 

(Signed)  WINFIELD  SCOTT. 

To  Messrs.  GIFJOHD,  GLOUX,  ESCALKNTB,  and  D'OiMVK,  &c.,  <kc.,  Vera  Cruz. 


536  INCREASED  VIGOR  OF  BOMBARDMENT. 

Ten  large  mortars,  six  smaller  ones,  six  sixty-eight  pound 
cannon,  three  thirty-twos,  and  four  twenty-fours,  were  served 
in  the  most  rapid  and  efficient  manner. 

All  the  Mexican  forts  redoubled  their  energies,  and  from 
castle  and  city  shot  and  shells  were  thrown  in  immense 
quantities.  The  scene  became  intensely  interesting. — The 
air  was  filled  with  missiles  ;  the  roar  of  so  much  ordnance 
in  operation  was  deafening,  nor  was  there  the  slightest  in- 
termission. 

On  this  morning  fatigue  parties  were  set  to  cutting  brush 
and  making  fascines,  or  bundles,  with  which  to  fill  the  ditch- 
es, in  the  final  storming  of  the  forts  and  city,  with  which 
Gen.  Scott  intended  to  close  up  the  combat,  if  the  city 
surrendered  not. — All  that  were  off  duty  crowded  upon  the 
sand  hills,  far  and  near,  to  view  the  scene,  such  as  they  had 
never  before  witnessed. — The  day  was  warm  and  pleasant, 
and  the  air  clear. — To  get  a  good  view,  the  author,  with  sev- 
eral others,  proceeded  towards  the  beach,  turned  to  the  left 
among  the  sand  hills  before  he  reached  that ;  crossed  several 
of  these,  and  stopped  on  the  top  of  one  from  which  the  best 
view  could  be  obtained  of  the  whole  scene ;  and  there  was 
sketched  the  picture  seen  on  the  opposite  page. 

Imagine  yourself,  reader,  on  this  hill  at  this  time,  and  the 
whole,  though  in  the  distance,  and  partly  obscured  by  smoke, 
before  you  :  but  you  can  see  enough  of  it :  you  are  east  of 
the  city,  and  about  a  mile  from  it. — The  lines  showing  the 
course  of  the  shells  are  imaginary :  for,  in  the  day  time,  the 
shells  themselves  could  not  be  seen,  and  in  the  night,  could 
only  be  perceived  by  the  twinkling  of  their  fuses.  You  see, 
over  the  letters  H  and  /,  the  steamer  Vixen,  and  one  of  the 
small  schooners  of  the  musquito  fleet,  in  the  position  they 
occupied  on  the  afternoon  of  the  22d,  when  the  bombard- 
ment commenced ;  the  other  steamer,  and  four  schooners, 
are  still  farther  to  the  right. — You  observe  (over  G)  the  wa- 
ter battery  of  the  castle ;  and,  on  the  left  of  that,  the  castle 
itself,  over  F;  in  the  distance,  a  vessel  is  out  far  beyond  it. 
She  is  going  around  to  Gen.  Twiggs'  position,  which  is  out 
of  view  to  the  left  of  the  picture  ; — the  water  there  comes 
round  in  a  bay,  and  this  vessel,  to  get  to  them  with  provi- 


\ 


VIEW  OF   THE  SCENE.  539 

eions,  &c.,  is  forced  to  go  far  off,  to  avoid  the  guns  of  the 
castle. 

On  the  left  extremity  of  the  castle  is  the  light  house,  which 
is  high  ; — on  the  opposite  quarter  is  an  upper  building  : — the 
flag-staff  rises  there,  with  the  Mexican  flag  upon  it.  You 
observe  that  the  fire  of  shells  is  kept  up  from  the  main  castle, 
and  from  the  water  battery  also. — The  strength  of  the  whole 
has  been  alluded  to. 

There  is  a  shallow  bank  or  reef  of  coral  rock,  which  makes 
out  from  the  right  of  the  water  battery  some  distance,  called 
the  Gallega  shoal ;  this  prevents  vessels  from  approaching  it 
in  that  direction. — The  vessel  that  you  perceive,  is  beyond 
the  extent  of  that.  The  castle  is  about  one  thousand  yards 
from  the  city. — The  water  that  you  notice  between  them, 
is  deep  enough  for  the  largest  men-of-war;  and,  in  times  of 
peace,  the  whole  space  is  filled  up  with  vessels. 

To  the  left  of  the  castle,  and  nearer  to  you,  at  the  south- 
eastern corner  of  the  city,  over  E,  you  see  the  fort  of  San- 
tiago, with  a  flag  above  it ; — this  is  strong,  and  the  guns  of 
it  are  now  busy.  To  the  left  of  that  is  another  flag,  at  the 
custom  house.  To  the  left  of  this,  over  D,  and  nearer  to  us, 
is  the  commencement  or  eastern  extremity  of  the  trenches ; 
and  over  C  is  the  cemetery,  with  its  chapel  in  the  centre. 

Gen.  Worth's  mortar  batteries,  Nos.  1,  2  and  3,  are  in  the 
trenches,  which  run  parallel  with,  and  close  to  the  walls  of 
the  cemetery,  beyond  them.  The  volumes  of  smoke  arising 
from  these  obscure  the  city.  To  the  left  of  this  is  the  smoke 
of  the  new  battery,  No.  4,  which  has  been  mentioned  as  fin- 
ished last  night.  Farther  to  the  left,  over  A,  is  the  naval 
battery,  sending  out  its  peals  and  volumes.  Over  B  is  the 
Mexican  fort  of  St.  Barbara ;  over  No.  4  is  the  "  railroad 
fort ;  " — the  "  white  fort "  is  near  the  tall  spire  in  the  centre 
of  the  view. 

To  the  left  of  the  picture,  between  you  and  the  naval  bat- 
tery, is  part  of  the  plain  upon  which  the  surrender  of  the 
Mexican  arms  afterwards  took  place,  and  at  the  lower  part 
of  this  is  the  lake  spoken  of.  In  the  foreground,  you  wit- 
ness a  detachment  of  infantry,  going  to  the  batteries. — 
You  observe  the  hills  of  sand,  some  of  which  are  bare,  and 


540  VIEW  OF  BOMBARDMENT. 

some  covered  with  chapparal. — Many  of  the  men,  that  are 
off  duty,  are  standing  on  the  sand  hills,  gazing  at  the  scene, 
while  the  castle  has  honored  them  with  the  presenta- 
tion of  a  thirteen  inch  bomb-shell,  which  has  fallen  on  the 
little  plain  before  you,  close  to  that  group  of  men,  who 
were  going  to  join  their  comrades  on  the  hill,  but  who  are 
now  running  away  from  the  shell  which  has  come  among 
them ;  one  is  endeavoring  to  scramble  up  the  steep  side  of 
the  opposite  sand  hill. — You  perceive  no  troops,  save  those 
going  to  the  trenches  ;  for  these  in  the  latter,  and  in  the  bat- 
teries, are  all  concealed  from  your  view. 

You  can  obtain  a  more  correct  and  definite  idea  from  this 
engraving,  of  the  position  and  appearance  of  Vera  Cruz  at 
this  time,  than  you  could  from  a  dozen  pages  of  description  ; 
and  from  this  same  hill  can  also  have  a  definite  point  in  your 
mind,  from  which  to  judge  of  the  position  of  the  camp  and 
fleet,  not  laid  down  in  the  picture  :  for,  as  you  stand  upon 
this  hill  and  face  the  city,  the  sea  is  to  your  right  hand,  and 
the  island  of  Sacrificios,  the  busy  beach,  and  the  fleet  of 
ships  laying  off  from  it,  is  also  to  your  right,  as  it  were  over 
your  shoulder, — partly  behind  you.  Directly  in  your  rear, 
among  the  hills,  are  the  camps  of  Gen.  Worth's  division, 
and  Gen.  Scott's  headquarters.  Behind  you  yet,  and  over 
your  left  shoulder,  are  the  numerous  valleys,  in  which  are 
encamped  the  division  of  Gen.  Patterson,  or  the  brigades  of 
generals  Shields,  Pillow,  and  Quitman  ; — these  go  far  off  to 
the  left ;  and  beyond  them,  and  on  the  left  of  the  city  also, 
is  the  camp  of  the  division  of  Gen.  Twiggs,  extending  to  the 
waters  edge,  at  a  little  place  called  Vergara. 

On  the  beach,  between  you  and  fort  Santiago,  over  the  hill 
between  E  and  F,  is  a  small  point,  concealed  from  your 
view,  called  Punta  de  Homos  ;  and  is  the  place  where,  after- 
wards, the  capitulation  was  signed  by  the  American  and 
Mexican  commissioners. — Now,  reader,  you  have  a  correct 
idea  of  the  situation  of  the  city,  castle,  trenches,  cemetery, 
batteries,  fleet,  beach,  positions  of  troops,  &c.,  &c. 

The  unabated  fire  of  the  batteries  and  mortars,  and  the 
forts  and  castle,  continued  for  the  whole  day,  and  the  scene 
was  terrific; — no  change  took  place  until  3,  P.  M.  Many 


ATTACK  UPON  COL.  HARNEY.  541 

were  killed  and  many  wounded  in  the  trenches; — and  among 
them,  Midshipman  Shubrick  was  instantly  killed  in  the  naval 
battery,  by  a  round  shot ; — within  the  city  the  destruction 
was  most  terrible. 

At  that  hour,  an  alarm  was  raised  of  an  attack  in  the 
rear,  by  a  large  body  of  Mexican  lancers,  who  repulsed  Col. 
Harney,  with  his  dragoons,  and  one  company  of  our  regi- 
ment of  cavalry,  Capt.  Caswell,  who  had  attacked  them ;  and 
that  officer,  in  command,  now  sent  in  to  Gen.  Scott  for  rein- 
forcements and  artillery,  stating  the  force  of  the  enemy  to  be 
two  thousand  men,  with  two  cannon.  Gen.  Pillow  was  or- 
dered to  detach  a  force  from  his  brigade,  which  was  imme- 
diately done,  by  sending  four  companies  of  the  first  Tennes- 
see infantry,  under  Col.  Campbell,  four  of  the  second  Ten- 
nessee, under  Col.  Haskel,  and  four  companies  of  our  own, 
dismounted  cavalry,  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  under  Lieut. 
Judd. 

And  now,  reader,  as  the  author  has  to  go  with  his  com- 
pany, he  will  leave  you  for  the  present,  to  witness  the  bom- 
bardment, by  which  the  city  is  suffering  every  moment,  in  a 
terrible  manner,  remarking  only,  that  the  foreign  consuls, 
that  so  treated  with  contempt  the  previous  warnings  of  Gen. 
Scott* and  chose  to  remain  in  the  city  and  take  their  chance, 
and  who  sent  the  flag  of  truce  last  night,  are  now  in  a  most 
uneasy  position,  and  are  endeavoring  to  induce  Gen.  Mo- 

*    COP!    OF    SAFEGUARD. 

Gen.  Scott,  a  week  before  the  bombardment  commenced,  sent  to  each  of  the  con- 
suls a  "  safeguard,' '  as,  in  such  cases,  is  authorized  by  the  articles  of  war.  The  copy 
of  one  of  these  safeguards  is  here  given : — 

«  Whosoever  belonging  to  the  Armies  of  the  United  States,  employed  in  foreign 
parts,  shall  force  a  safeguard,  shall  suffer  death." — 55^A  Article  of  War. 

SAFEGCAUD.— By  authority  of  Major  General  Scott,  General-in-Chief  of  the  armies 
of  the  United  States,  the  person,  the  family,  and  the  property  of  the  French  Consul, 
residing  in  Vera  Cruz,  his  house,  and  its  contents,  are  placed  under  the  safeguard  of 
the  army  of  the  United  States.  To  offer  any  violence  or  injury  to  them  is  expressly 
forbidden ;  on  the  contrary,  it  is  ordered  that  safety  and  protection  be  given  to  him 
and  them  in  case  of  need. 

Done  at  the  headquarters  of  the  army  of  the  United   States,  this  13th  day  of 

WINFIELD  SCOTT. 
By  command  of  Major  General  SCOTT. 
H.  L.  SCOTT,  A.  A.  A.  G. 


542  EFFECT  OF  THE  FIRE  UPON  THE  ENEMY. 

rales  to  surrender  the  place,  sending  him,  this  evening,  the 
answer  they  received  this  morning  from  Gen.  Scott,  accom- 
panied by  the  communication  given  in  the  note  below.* 

We  had  an  exciting  and  quite  interesting  fight  this  after- 
noon.— In  the  morning,  Col.  Harney,  with  the  dragoons 
under  Capt.  Thornton,  and  Capt.  Gas  well's  company  of  our 
regiment,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Major  Sumner, 
was  ordered  by  Gen.  Scott  to  the  southward,  it  being  re- 
ported that  a  large  force  of  the  enemy  were  near  us.  The 
gallant  colonel  and  his  command  fell  in  with  the  enemy  at 
a  stone  bridge  over  a  lagoon,  called  Puente  de  Moreno,  and  a 
fight  ensued  ;  but  as  the  force  of  the  enemy  was  large,  and 
their  position  too  strong  for  him,  reinforcements  were  sent 
for.  We  marched  out  at  a  quick  pace,  partly  across  chappa- 
ral  hills,  and  then  across  small  prairies,  about  nine  miles,  and 
went  immediately  into  action,  up  and  down  the  bank  of  the 
lagoon  in  the  chapparal,  and  commenced  firing  at  the  bridge. 

The  dragoons  were  drawn  up  in  the  rear.  The  firing  be- 
came very  sharp  ;  but,  from  the  thick  chapparal,  together  with 
the  smoke,  concealing  our  men,  was  not  very  effective  upon 
us  ;  but  the  balls  cut  the  twigs  and  branches  over  and  among 
us  at  a  great  rate,  whistling  loudly.  The  artillery  fired  grape 
shot  at  the  fortifications  that  the  enemy  had  thrown  across 

*  ADDRESS    OP    THE    FOREIGN    CONSULS    TO    GEV.    MORALES. 

The  undersigned,  Consuls  of  the  different  foreign  powers  near  the  Mexican  ga 
vemment,  have  the  honor  to  address  the  general  commanding  the  state  of  Vera  Cruz, 
a  copy  of  the  reply  which  they  have  received  from  Gen.  Scott,  commanding  in  chief 
the  army  of  the  United  States  of  the  North,  to  the  request  which  they  made  to  him 
for  a  truce,  to  permit  their  respective  countrymen,  as  well  as  the  Mexican  women  and 
children,  to  leave  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz. 

More  and  more  afflicted  by  the  disasters  which  this  place  has  suffered  during  three 
days  of  bombardment,  and  desiring  to  accomplish,  to  the  end,  the  duties  of  humanity 
imposed  on  them  by  the  mission  which  they  have  received  from  their  governments, 
and  by  their  own  personal  feelings,  they  beseech  Gen.  Morales  to  have  the  goodness 
to  interpose  to  Gen.  Scott  his  support  to  a  request  so  reasonable  as  theirs. 

They  have  the  honor  to  renew  to  His  Excellency  the  Commandant,  Gen.  Morales, 
the  assurances  of  their  respectful  consideration. 

(Signed)  T.  GIFFORD,  Consul  of  Her  Britannic  Majesty. 

A.  GLOUX,  Consul  of  France. 
F.  G.  DE  ESCALANTE,  Consul  of  Spain. 
HENRY  D'OLEIVE,  Consul  of  His  Majesty 
the  King  of  Prussia. 


BATTLE  OF  MADELINE  BRIDGE.  54$ 

the  bridge,  and  after  some  twelve  or  fifteen  rounds,  knocked 
it  down,  and  the  order  was  given  to  charge ;  and  then,  with 
a  wild  yell,  that  resounded  far  and  near,  we  rushed  towards 
the  bridge  in  an  irregular  manner,  the  men  of  the  three  regi- 
ments becoming  all  mingled  together. 

The  enemy  retreated,  run,  broke,  vamosed, — the  lancers 
going  at  full  speed  up  the  road,  and  the  infantry  taking  the 
thick  chapparal  in  every  direction.  Some  were  overtaken 
and  killed  ;  and  we  pushed  on  in  a  trot  after  the  main  body 
of  lancers.  The  dragoons  being  brought  up  by  Capt.^Thorn- 
ton,  passed  by,  overtook  them,  and  killed  many  more. 

After  four  miles'  chase,  we  were  halted  by  Gen.  Patterson, 
who  seemed  to  be  in  his  right  element,  and  extremely  pleased 
with  the  spirit  and  conduct  of  the  troops.  He  took  off  his 
hat,  as  he  rode  by  us,  after  the  pursuit  was  done,  and,  car- 
ried away  by  his  enthusiasm,  raised  himself  in  his  stirrups, 
and,  as  he  swung  his  hat  around,  called  out,  "  Hurrah  for 
Tennessee!"  which  compliment,  of  manner  and  expression, 
from  him,  who  commonly  was  so  stern  and  silent,  was  im- 
mediately responded  to,  with  three  loud  cheers  for  Gen.  Pat- 
terson.— He  rode  along,  with  an  approving  remark  to  each 
company  as  he  passed  it. 

It  was  nearly  dark  when  we  commenced  the  return  to  the 
camp  before  Vera  Cruz,  about  thirteen  miles  distant.  The 
ranchos  on  the  road,  near  the  battle-ground,  were  all  desert- 
ed.— The  men  took  from  them  the  chairs,  blankets,  &c.,  and, 
as  the  inhabitants  were  hostile,  fired  the  buildings,  as  they 
returned. — The  dead  were  brought  in  across  horses,  and  the 
wounded  on  litters.* — We  had  lost  but  few,  and  killed  some 
fifty  or  sixty  of  the  Mexicans,— Would  have  killed  more,  had 

*    KILLED    AND    WOUNDED  AT    MADELINE    BRIDGE. 

Kilkd — James  H.  Nicholson,  corporal  of  company  F,  in  action  at  Puente  de  Mo- 
reno, March  25th ;  Hopkins,  private,  company  H,  3d  artillery,  same  place  and 

time. 

Wounded — Lewis  Neill,  3d  lieutenant,  adjutant ;  Joseph  Marshall,  private,  com- 
pany B ;  Jones,  do.,  2d  dragoons,  severely ;  Hugh  Gavin,  private,  Capt.  Cheat- 
ham's  1st  Tennessee,  slightly;  M.  Foy,  W.  Ailes,  privates,  company  A ;  D.  Vann, 
do.,  company  C ;  G.  Woodly,  do.,  company  H,  2d  Tennessee,  slightly ;  Thomas 
Young,  guide,  slightly ;  W.  T.  Gillespie,  company  B,  Lewis  Geisele,  company  Or 
John  Smith,  company  K,  privates,  2d  dragoons,  slightly. 


544  EFFECTS  OF   THE   BOMBARDMENT. 

they  fought  longer;  but  they  had  enough,  and  could  not 
stand  the  wild  charge. 

Thus  ended  the  spirited  little  battle  of  "Madeline  Bridge," 
as  it  is  called,  or  of  Puente  de  Moreno  ;  and  here  we  are  back, 
in  fine  spirits,  but  exceedingly  exhausted.  It  was  nearly 
midnight  when  we  reached  the  «amp.  We  found  our  bat- 
teries firing  slowly,  while  those  of  the  enemy  were  all  silent. 
And  so,  reader,  as  we  are  about  to  throw  ourselves  down  to 
sleep,  we  bid  you  good  night. 

Friday,  March  26th.  At  two  o'clock  this  morning,  the  bat- 
teries re-commenced  upon  the  city  ;  but  only  a  few  guns 
were  fired  from  the  enemy  in  reply  to  the  numerous  shells 
that  rose,  passed  over,  and  fell  within,  more  rapidly  than  be- 
fore, several  new  mortars  having  been  added  to  those  in  op- 
eration yesterday. 

Another  norther  came  down  upon  us,  immediately  after 
the  firing  commenced.  This  gale  blew  with  more  violence 
than  any  which  had  preceded  it. — It  whistled  across  the  hills 
and  plains,  deadening  the  noise  of  the  mortars. — As  soon  as 
it  was  light,  the  fatigue  parties  were  again  set  to  work,  ma- 
king fascines  and  scaling-ladders  for  the  final  assault ; — but, 
directly  after  sunrise,  a  flag  of  truce  came  from  the  city  gates. 
The  order  to  cease  firing  was  sent  to  the  batteries,  by  Gen. 
Scott. 

We  now  found,  what  we  were  confident  of  yesterday,  that 
the  bombardment  had  been  productive  of  the  utmost  deso- 
lation within  the  walls,  tearing  the  buildings  to  pieces,  and 
sweeping  hundreds, — soldiers,  citizens,  women  and  children 
— into  a  common  grave. — We  learned  that  the  destructive 
effects,  sometimes  of  a  single  shell,  had  been  tremendous  : — 
that  one  had  fallen,  crashing  through  the  stone  side  of  a 
building,  and  exploded  within,  where  a  meeting  of  the  citi- 
zens was  being  held,  and  killed  and  wounded  scores  of  them 
in  one  bloody  pile. — That  the  distresses  of  the  citizens  and 
private  families  could  not  be  described  ; — that  whole  families 
had  perished  by  a  single  shell,  that,  in  the  same  instant,  by 
its  explosion,  had  tumbled  in  the  floors,  roofs,  stone  and  mor- 
tar, of  their  shattered  mansions,  upon  their  mangled  bodies. 
— That  there  was  safety  nowhere  ; — that  the  heavy  stone 


FLAG  OF  TRUCE.  545 

roofs,  so  much  relied  upon,  were  futile  in  defence  :  for  the 
ponderous  shells,  from  their  height,  had  burst  down  through, 
crashing  to  the  ground  ; — that  they  had  torn  up  the  pave- 
ments, sending  stone  and  iron  in  destructive  showers  through 
the  streets. — That  the  churches  "\vere  not  safe ; — that  the 
altars  of  these,  around  which  the  frightened  women  had  col- 
lected to  pray  for  deliverance,  had,  in  some  instances,  been 
the  places  where  they  were  torn  and  mangled  by  the  shells, 
that,  loaded  with  destruction,  crashed  through  the  roofs. — That 
the  round  shot  were  terrific  in  effect,  but  the  shells,  from 
their  falling  in  every  part  of  the  thickly  crowded  city,  were 
far  more  so. — That  last  evening,  so  terrible  had  become  their 
situation,  the  citizens  united  with  the  foreign  consuls  in  ap- 
plication to  Gen.  Morales,  and  the  soldiers  to  the  same  added 
their  requests,  being  unable  to  stand  longer  against  the  mur- 
derous fire. — That,  driven  to  desperation,  part  of  the  garrison 
formed  in  the  night,  on  the  outside  of  the  city  walls,  to  at- 
tack the  batteries  that  were  so  destructive  to  them ;  but  not 
enough,  to  be  successful,  could  be  induced  to  join  it,  as  they 
were  well  aware  that  the  trenches  were  strongly  defended, 
though  the  men  therein  could  not  be  seen. 

Gen.  Morales,  not  wishing  to  surrender,  and  to  save  his 
word,  under  color  of  sickness,  resigned  his  command  during 
the  night,  and  thus  devolved  it  upon  the  next  officer,  Gen. 
Jose  Juan  de  Landero,  who,  at  this  early  hour,  hastened,  by 
a  flag  of  truce,  to  stop  the  horrors  that  were  recommencing. 
— By  this  flag  he  sent  the  letter  seen  in  the  note  below.* 

*  GEN.  LAXDERO    TO    GE!f.  SCOTT. 

I  have  the  honor  of  transmitting  to  Your  Excellency,  the  exposition  which  has  this 
moment  been  made  to  me  by  the  Srs.  Consuls  of  England,  France,  Spain  and  Prus- 
sia, in  which  they  solicit  that  hostilities  may  be  suspended  while  the  innocent 
families  in  this  place,  who  are  suffering  the  ravages  of  war,  be  enabled  to  leave  the 
city,  which  solicitation  claims  my  support ;  and  considering  it  in  accordance  with  the 
rights  of  afflicted  humanity,  I  have  not  hesitated  to  invite  Your  Excellency  to  enter 
into  an  honorable  accommodation  with  the  garrison,  in  which  case,  you  will  please 
name  three  commissioners,  who  may  meet  at  some  intermediate  point  to  treat  with 
those  of  this  place  upon  the  terms  of  the  accommodation. 

With  this  notice,  I  renew  to  Your  Excellency's  attentive  consideration, 

God  guard  Your  Excellency,  &c.f 
On  account  of  the  sickness  of  the  commanding  general, 

[Signed  by]  JOSE  JUAN  DE  LANDERO 

35 


546  APPOINTMENT   OF  COMMISSIONERS. 

The  batteries  remained  silent,  but  everything  was  in  pre- 
paration for  a  renewal  of  the  fire. — The  storm  was  now  ra- 
ging with  the  utmost  fury,  and  many  of  the  vessels  in  the 
fleet  at  Sacrificios  were  unable  to  hold  to  their  anchors;  and 
as  their  chains  parted,  they  went  ashore  on  the  beach. — 
Twenty-seven  ships,  brigs  and  schooners  were  thus  ashore 
before  night,  with  the  waves  dashing  over  them.  This  wind 
blew  with  such  a  hurricane  force  that  no  boat  could  float  in 
the  tremendous  surf; — even  the  line  of  battle  ship,  Ohio,  that 
lay  proudly  moored  at  the  head  of  the  fleet,  was  forced  to 
send  down  all  her  upper  masts  and  yards,  and  she  ap- 
peared almost  dismantled. — In  consequence  of  this  violent 
gale,  the  commander-in-chief  found  it  impossible  to  commu- 
nicate with  the  commodore  of  the  naval  forces,  as  he  wished 
to  do  upon  this  application  of  Gen.  Landero  ;  and,  after  wait- 
ing some  hours,  he  appointed  his  commissioners,  and  sent  to 
the  Mexican  general  the  answer  seen  in  note.*  The  time 

*  GEX.  SCOTT'S  BEPLT  TO  GEN-.  LANDERO. 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THK  ARMY  OF  THE  UMTED  STATES  OP  AMERICA.  ) 
Camp  Washington,  brfort  Vera  Cruz,  Marck'26,  1647.         ) 

The  undersigned,  Major  General  Scott,  General-in-Chief  of  the  Armies  of  tho 
United  States  of  America,  has  had  the  honor  to  receive  a  communication  on  the  part 
of  His  Excellency  the  Governor  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  Vera  Cruz,  signed  by 
the  Senor  General  Landero,  in  which  it  is  proposed  to  the  undersigned,  that  he  [the 
undersigned]  should  appoint  three  commissioners  to  meet  an  equal  number  to  be  ap- 
pointed on  the  part  of  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz,  to  treat  of  the  surrender  of  that  city 
and  its  dependencies,  on  terms  honorable  to  the  garrison  of  the  same. 

The  undersigned,  not  doubting  that  the  proposition  was  made  in  good  faith,  has 
promptly  given  orders  to  all  his  batteries  to  suspend  their  fire  upon  the  city  of  Vera 
Cruz,  which  cessation  of  fire  will  be  continued,  unless  after  a  delay  of  thirty  minutes, 
any  Mexican  battery  shall  continue  or  renew  its  fire  upon  the  batteries  or  the  lines  of 
the  army  before  Vera  Cruz. 

The  undersigned  hastens  to  name,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
three  commissioners — generals  Worth  and  Pillow,  and  Col.  Totten,  Chief  Engineer, 
all  of  the  said  army — to  meet  an  equal  number  of  commissioners  to  be  appointed  by 
competent  authority,  to  treat  of  the  surrender  of  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz  and  its  de- 
pendencies, on  terms  honorable  to  the  garrison.  And  the  three  commissioners  named 
above  will,  in  that  delay,  repair,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  to  Punta  de  Hornos,  there  to 
await  the  arrival  of  the  corresponding  commissioners  on  the  part  of  Vera  Cruz. 

It  is  expected  by  the  undersigned  that  the  commissioners  will  proceed,  at  once,  to 
treat  of  the  business  jointly  submitted  to  them,  without  unnecessary  interruptions,  and 
that  the.  negociation  will  be  concluded  early  in  the  present  day. 

The  undersigned  h?s  the  honor  to  tender  to  the  Senor  Gen.  Landero  the  assuran- 
ces of  his  high  consideration  and  respect 

[Signed]  WINFIELD  SCOTT. 


MEETING  OF   COMMISSIONERS. 

for  a  reply  was  restricted  to  thirty  minutes. — Now  was  there 
the  utmost  curiosity  in  every  regiment  and  company,  to  know 
what  was  going  on  ;  and  even  at  every  tent,  the  only  subject 
of  inquiry  or  remark  was  concerning  the  passing  flags  of 
truce,  and  present  events. 

Generals  Worth  and  Pillow,  and  Col.  Totten,  proceeded 
up  the  beach  to  the  buildings  at  the  point  Punta  de  Hornos, 
tinder  the  guns  of  fort  Santiago.  In  a  short  time,  three 
Mexican  officers,  with  another  white  flag,  issued  from  the 
lofty  arched  gateways  of  that  fortress,  and  approached  the 
same  spot.  Many  polite  salutations  now  passed,  as  though 
the  parties  had  been  most  intimate  friends  for  their  whole 
lives,  and  only  lived  to  be  agreeable  to  each  other. — The 
Mexican  officers  brought  out  Gen.  Ljmdero's  reply  to  Gen. 
Scott,  which  is  placed  below.* 

The  preparation  for  the  assault  still  went  on.  The  land- 
ing and  transportation  of  shells,  shot  and  powder,  was  stop- 
ped on  account  of  the  norther,  which  drove  the  waves  in  fu- 
rious breakers  over  nearly  the  entire  beach ;  and,  so  sudden 
and  strong  was  its  effect,  that  immense  quantities  of  stores 
were  overflowed  and  spoiled. — In  camp,  we  crowded  in  our 
firmly  pinned  tents,  to  avoid  the  cold  wind ;  and  thus  the  re- 
mainder of  the  day  passed. — The  commissioners  returned  at 
evening,  not  having  come  to  any  agreement,  save  to  meet 
again  in  the  morning. 

Saturday,  March  27th.  This  was  a  lovely  morning : — the 
norther  had  ceased,  and  the  sun  shone  pleasantly.  Every- 
thing was  quiet  in  the  city,  batteries,  and  camp. — The  com- 
missioners met  again  at  Punta  de  Hornos,  and  the  entire  day 

*   GKX.    LAX  IlKUO    TO    GEN.    SCOTT. 

Vera  Cruz,  March  26th,  1847. 

In  virtue  of  your  Excellency's  having  accepted  the  proposition  for  an  accommoda- 
tion, which  I  made  in  a  dispatch  of  this  date,  and  in  conformity  with  a  reply  which  I 
have  just  received,  1  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  have  named,  on  my  part, 
Colonels  Don  Jose  Gutierrez  Villanueva,  Don  Pedro  Miguel  Hcrrera,  and  Lieutenant 
Colonel  of  Engineers,  Don  Manuel  Robles — to  whom  I  have  committed  competent 
powers  to  arrange  the  said  accommodation,  having  the  honor  to  add  herewith  a  copy 
of  said  powers. 

I  renew  to  your  Excellency  the  assurances  of  my  high  consideration. 
God  and  Liberty. 

[Signed]         JOSE  JUAN  DE  LANDERO* 


548  APPEARANCE  OF  THE   CEMETERY. 

was  spent  in  their  deliberations. — Let  us,  therefore,  reader, 
take  a  look  into  the  trenches — pursuing  our  walk  from  the 
sand  hill,  in  the  foreground  of  the  picture,  across  the  hills  and 
valleys  towards  the  cemetery,  or  campo  santo,  as  the  Mexicans 
term  it. — As  we  pass  over  the  hills,  and  come  near,  you  are 
astonished  in  seeing  how  the  ground  is  torn  up  by  cannon 
shot  and  bomb-shells  :  the  large  balls  lay  thickly  scattered 
around. — Many  holes,  each  of  size  sufficient  to  bury  a  horse, 
are  blown  out,  by  the  explosion  of  the  shells  that  there  de- 
scended. Large  and  small  fragments  of  these  shells  are  scat- 
tered everywhere  about.  The  Mexicans  have  thrown  shot 
and  shells  enough  to  kill  a  hundred  thousand  men  ;  and  yet, 
so  skillfully  have  our  movements  been  directed  by  the  gener- 
alship of  Scott,  that  our  loss  is  very  small. — We  approach  the 
cemetery — pass  around  the  left  hand  corner,  and  enter  the  in- 
closure  through  the  loft)'  arched  gateway. — On  going  in,  we 
are  struck  with  the  appearance  of  destruction  there  exhibited : 
the  walks  and  the  graves  are  torn  up,  and  skulls  and  bones 
are  scattered  around,  by  the  numberless  shells  thrown  here 
from  the  city  and  castle ;  the  enemy  thinking  that  part  of 
our  force  was  within  it.  The  walls  of  brick,  plastered  over 
within  and  without,  are  riddled  with  so  many  large  holes, 
that  it  was  useless  to  attempt  to  count  them ;  and  the  brick 
and  mortar  from  these,  had  been  driven  over  the  whole 
ground. — Here  is  an  entire  shell,  whose  fuse  did  not  ignite 
the  charge  ; — it  i?  in  the  ground,  and  you  see  but  little  of  it. — 
The  chapel,  which  is  in  the  centre  of  the  cemetery,  is  about 
forty  feet  square,  with  a  brick  dome,  also  plastered.  You  see 
this  chapel  in  the  picture. — Around  the  building  is  a  wide, 
raised  platform,  of  chequered  marble,  enclosed  by  a  light  bal- 
ustrade of  masonry,  which  is  mostly  torn  to  pieces  ;  the  mar- 
ble slabs  are  broken  and  thrown  up  by  the  shells. — Within 
the  chapel  we  observe  a  fine  sculptured  structure  of  white 
marble  ;  it  is  broken,  and  covered  with  the  mortar  and  pieces 
of  brick  that  have  fallen  from  the  dome  above,  and  the  sides 
of  the  house,  as  the  cannon  shot  have  coursed  through  it 
again  and  again.  The  large  door  of  the  chapel,  towards  the 
city,  has  over  a  dozen  cannon  shot  holes  in  it. — The  marble 
floor  is  covered  with  rubbish ;  and  the  wardrobes  for  the  fu- 


SEPULCHRES   OF  THE  DEAD  BLOWN  OPEN.  549 

neral  trappings  and  dresses  for  the  priests,  are  splintered  into 
thousands  of  fragments. — The  eastern  wall  of  the  cemetery, 
or  the  right  hand  one  seen  in  the  picture,  is  of  such  thickness 
as  to  be  divided  into  four  rows  of  cells  like  ovens,  above  each 
other,  on  the  same  plan  as  is  adopted  in  New  Orleans. — In 
these  cells  are  the  bodies  of  the  more  wealthy  placed. — You 
observe  that  the  cannon  shot,  coming  slanting  from  the  city, 
have  opened  the  ends  of  many  of  these,  and  left  the  corpses 
and  skeletons  exposed.  It  is  not  a  pleasant  sight  to  view 
them. — You  perceive  that  they  were  buried  in  their  or- 
dinary clothing. — Do  you  notice  that  pair  of  feet,  with 
boots  on,  sticking  nearly  out  of  the  hole  made  by  a  cannon 
ball  that  ranged  along,  opening  a  dozen  or  more  of  these 
sepulchres  ? — Many  of  the  soldiers  are  peeping  about  in  the 
cemetery,  and  looking  into  these  cells  ;  but  the  sight  of  death, 
or  his  mementos,  are  nothing  to  them : — hardened,  careless, 
and  indifferent  by  habit,  the  appearance  of  dead  men  pro- 
duces no  more  effect  than  that  of  so  many  dead  animals. — 
Hear  that  dare-devil,  humorous  looking  volunteer,  as  he  calls 
out  to  another  :  "  I  say,  Bill,  don't  you  believe  these  chaps 
thought  the  resurrection  day  had  come,  when  that  'ere  can- 
non ball  raked  open  their  holes  ?  D-n-d  if  I  don't  think 
they  were  getting  ready  to  sing, '  Hark  !  from  the  tombs.'" 
So  little  is  human  life  valued  by  the  older  soldiers,  that  no 
one  is  affected  by  these  sights. — Some,  of  the  new  regiments 
that  have  just  come  out,  walk  round,  and  appear  serious  ;  but 
they,  too,  will  be  equally  careless  after  a  while. — But  let  us 
look  at  the  marble  slabs  that  close  the  vaults  which  have  not 
thus  been  rudely  broken  into.  We  see  that  many  of  them 
are  finely  sculptured.  Observe  this  one,  of  black  marble, 
on  which  Life  is  represented  as  a  fragile  vase  of  beautiful 
flowers — Death  as  a  wolf,  who  jumps  upon  it ;  and  it  is  fall- 
ing over,  to  be  crushed  under  his  tread. 

Having  seen  enough  of  the  interior  of  the  campo  santo,  let 
us  go  out  by  the  gate  by  which  we  entered,  and  a  few  steps 
bring  us  to  the  farther  wall,  under  which  run  the  trenches. — 
Here  are  piles  of  balls  and  shells  lying  on  the  edge  of  them , 
and  near  are  several  small  brass  cohorn  mortars,  which  have 
the  English  crown  upon  them,  and  the  letters  G.  R. — Gear- 


550  SCENES   IN   THE  TRENCHES. 

gius  Rex  (King  George).  These  were  taken  at  the  surrender 
of  Burgoyne,  during  the  revolutionary  war,  and  are  yet  good 
as  ever ;  and,  after  being  used  in  the  last  war,  against  their 
former  masters,  are  sent  here  to  fight  Mexicans  with. — Look 
into  the  trench :  it  is  six  or  seven  feet  wide — eight  or  nine 
where  the  mortars  are  placed.  You  perceive  the  embank- 
ment is  thrown  towards  the  city ;  and,  in  the  deep  trench 
thus  sheltered,  you  do  not  wonder  that  the  troops  have  been 
so  secure.  Look  along  in  it : — you  see  it  full  of  infantry, 
seated,  patiently  awaiting  the  issue  of  the  negotiations  for 
a  surrender.  You  observe  the  numerous  black  mortars  on 
their  beds,  ranged  along,  with  the  match-rope  slowly  burn- 
ing by  each  :  and  piles  of  loaded  shells  are  near  ;  while  the 
artillerists  are  leaning  on  the  destructive  pieces,  chatting  and 
laughing,  ready,  at  any  moment,  again  to  send  the  ponder- 
ous missiles  into  the  city. — Let  us  go  down  into  the  trench : 
it  is  quite  a  jump  ;  and  now  we  are  in  among  the  crowded 
men. — Look  at  this  mortar  before  us,  which,  firmly  placed  in 
its  bed,  is  on  a  platform  laid  down  for  its  support ;  its  muz- 
zle slants  upward.  Take  out  the  wooden  mouth-piece,  and 
you  see  the  shell  lying  in  there  :  it  is  heavy,  and  required 
two  men  to  lift  it  in.  You  perceive  that  four  small  wedges 
are  placed  around  it,  so  that  it  does  not  press  tight  to  the 
interior  of  the  mortar  ;  for,  if  it  did,  the  fuse,  which  is  on  the 
upper  side,  would  not  catch  as  it  went  out ;  but  the  wedges 
causing  a  small  space  to  be  left,  the  flame  from  the  charge 
wraps  around  the  shell  as  it  is  sent  out,  and  fires  the  fuse, 
which  burns  as  it  goes. — You  observe  that  the  fuse  plug  is 
of  wood,  large  enough  to  fill  the  hole  in  the  shell,  being  about 
an  inch  and  a  half  thick  at  the  larger  end,  and  tapering  to  an 
inch;  being,  when  whole,  about  nine  inches  long  ;  it  has  a 
small  hole  drilled  lengthwise  through  it. — This  hole  is  filled 
with  the  fuse  combustible,  which  is  black  and  hard — appear- 
ing something  like  the  lead  in  a  pencil ;  and  is  about  as  large 
as  a  common  pencil  itself.  The  tapering  plugs  are  marked 
into  inches  and  tenths,  so  that  they  may  be  accurately  sawed 
off  to  the  length  they  are  required  to  burn.  If  the  shells  are 
to  go  but  a  short  distance,  a  small  quantity  of  powder  is  put 
into  the  mortar,  and  the  fuse  is  cut  off  in  proportion  ;  so,  for 


SCENES   IN  THE   TRENCHES.  551 

a  greater  distance  more  powder  is  added,  and  the  fuse  is  left 
longer.  So  well  have  our  artillerists  done  this,  that  of  the 
thousands  of  shells  *  they  have  thrown  into  the  city,  very 
few  have  burst  before  they  had  crashed  through  the  build- 
ings ;  and  almost  every  one,  then,  has  immediately  exploded. 
— Let  us  pass  to  the  mouth  of  this  magazine  near,  which  is 
a  deep  hole  in  the  trench,  covered  with  a  slanting  double 
roof  of  plank  and  timber,  upon  which  are  three  tiers  of  large 
bags,  filled  with  earth  or  sand,  to  protect  it  from  the  bombs 
of  the  enemy.  Near  the  magazine  door,  in  which  set  the 
powder-men,  are  a  number  of  shells,  loaded,  with  their  fuses 
driven  in  them.  These  men  inform  us  that  they  filled  every 
shell  with  three  pounds  of  first-rate  powder,  and  that  the 
mortars  were  at  first  loaded  with  two  and  a  half  pounds,  to 
send  the  shells  to  the  walls ;  then  two  and  three-quarters, 
three,  three  and  a  half,  three  and  three-quarters,  and  at  last 
four  pounds  were  used  for  a  charge  ;  and  that  these  different 
charges  were  used  at  the  same  time,  in  order  to  distribute 
the  deadly  missiles  over  the  city, — thus  bringing  all  within 
it  into  the  same  terrible  condition. 

Turning  to  the  left,  we  follow  along  the  crowded  trench, 
and,  working  our  way  by  the  mortars,  shells,  and  through 
artillerists,  and  supporting  infantry,  we  soon  come  to  battery 
No.  4.  We  find  no  shells  here,  but  abundance  of  the  heaviest 
kind  of  shot ; — the  large  cannon  stand  on  the  high  platform, 
with  their  muzzles  sticking  out  of  the  embrasures  towards 
the  city,  into  which  they  have  already  vomited  so  many  de-. 
structive  missiles. — We  find  the  artillerists  here  ready  to 
renew  the  firing  ;  the  infantry  are  stretched  out,  some  asleep, 

*  Shot  and  shell  thrown  into  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz,  during  the  bombardment,  on 
the  evening  of  22d,  the  23d,  24th,  25th,  and  morning  of  26th  March,  1847  : 

WOIlTH's    BATTERIES,  NOS.   1,  2,  3,  4. 

3000  ten  inch  shells 99  Ibs.  each, 

500  round  shot 25   "       u 

200  eight  inch  howitzer  shells 68   «       " 

WATT  BATTKKT,  WO.  5. 

1000  Paixhan  shot ,  68  Ibs.  each. 

800  round  shot 32   " 

MT78Q.UITO    FLEET. 

1200  shot  and  shell,  averaging 62  lb».  each 

Making  in  all,  6,700  shot  and  shell,  weighing  463,600  Ibs. 


552 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  BATTERIES. 


others  engaged  in  conversation,  wondering  whether  they  will 
have  another  chance  at  the  city. 

When  leaving  this  battery,  we  pass  still  farther  to  the 
left ;  we  come  out  of  the  trenches  on  the  plain ;  crossing 
that,  as  well  as  the  railroad,  we  ascend  the  hill,  on  the  top 
of  which  is  the  naval  battery,  over  A  in  the  picture. — This 
hill,  like  many  of  the  others,  is  covered  with  a  species  of 
musquit,  of  which  the  sharp  thorns  are  several  times  as  large 
as  the  twigs  on  which  they  grow  ;  and  they  are  so  singular, 
that  the  author  has  placed  below  a  drawing  of  a  small 
twig,  bearing  them. 


TWIG   OF  MtTSQTjIT  :    SPECIES   FOUND   NEAR   VEKA    CRUZ. — WATURAL  SIZI. 

After  climbing  the  hill,  and  working  through  the  thorny 
chapparal,  we  arrive  at  the  naval  battery. — Here,  too,  the 
heavy  cannon  were  all  loaded  and  aimed,  ready  to  fire  the 
moment  hostilities  may  be  re-commenced.  The  seamen  that 
man  this  battery  are  in  groups  around,  as  are  the  supporting 
infantry.  The  sailors  are  having  much  sport  to  themselves, 
and  wish  that  the  "  bloody  Mexican  land- lubbers,"  as  they 
call  them,  may  hold  out  a  little  longer,  to  give  them  a  chance  ; 
(for  this  battery  has  a  change  of  seamen  every  twenty-four 


VIEW   OF  THE  CITY   FROM   NAVAL   BATTERY.  553 

hours,  and  those  now  at  it  have  not  had  an  opportunity  of 
firing).* 

We  notice  that  the  battery  is  much  torn  to  pieces  :  for, 
from  its  situation,  being  so  high  and  exposed,  it  has  drawn 
many  of  the  shot  from  all  the  forts,  and  well  has  it  answer- 
ed them.  On  its  opening,  the  Mexican  batteries  directed 
most  of  their  fire  at  it,  for  nearly  the  whole  day ; — but  this 
had  been  foreseen,  and  it  had  been  made  very  strong. 

From  this  we  can  look  directly  into  the  town  ;  but  nothing 
appears  there  to  be  in  motion,  save  the  bodies  of  Mexican 
soldiery,  who  are  parading  about  to  the  strains  of  their  mar- 
tial music,  or  else  thickly  crowded  in  the  shattered  forts,  busy 
in  repairing  them  with  bags  of  sand  ;  but  the  battered  build- 
ings above  and  around  them  cannot  be  so  repaired;  they 
present,  when  viewed  with  the  glass,  an  appearance  of  utter 
destruction. 

And  now,  reader,  we  have  endeavored  to  give  a  particular 
account  of  the  batteries,  as  well  as  of  the  occurrences  of  the 
siege,  though  thousands  of  circumstances  accompanying  it 
must,  for  want  of  space,  pass  unrecorded.  At  five,  P.  M.,  the 
capitulation  was  signed  by  the  commissioners,  and  wre  learn- 
ed that  the  city  was  to  be  given  up  on  Monday,  the  29th. — 

*  The  naval  forces  which  had  been  so  long  before  this  place  had,  during  the  bom- 
bardment, manifested  the  greatest  desire  to  have  a  part  on  shore,  and  this  battery  had 
therefore  been  assigned  to  them ;  it  was  manned  in  turn  by  detachments  from  the 
vessels.  These  vessels  of  war  now  before  the  city  were — 

Ship  of  the  line  Ohio,  Capt.  Stringham, 74  guns. 

Frigate  Raritan,  Capt.  Forrest, 44 

"  Potomac,  Capt.  Aulick, 44 

Sloop  Albany,  Capt.  Breese, 20 

"  John  Adams,  Com.  McKinney, 20 

««  St.  Marys,  Capt.  Launders, 20 

Steamer  Mississippi,  Commodore  Perry, 10 

"  Princeton,  Commander  Engle, 9 

"  Spitfire,  Commander  Tatnall, 8 

"  Vixen,  Commander  Sands,  • 8 

Brig  Porpoise,  L.  Com.  W.  E.  Hunt, 10 

Storeship  Relief,  Lt.  Com.  Bullus, 8 

"  Supply, 8 

"  Fredonia 8 

Steamers  Petrita,  Hunter,  and  Scourge, •    .    .  — 

Schooners  (musquito  fleet)  Bonito,  Petrel,  Reefer, Tampico,  and  Falcon, — 


554  CAPITULATION  SIGNED   BY  COMMISSIONERS. 

The  terms  on  which  the  city  and  castle  were  surrendered  are 
given  in  the  note  below.* 

March  2Slh.  We  have  endeavored  to  find  out  the  loss  of 
the  Mexicans  within  the  city,  during  the  terrible  bombard- 
ment, but  it  is  not  known  to  themselves ;  of  course  it  can 
never  be  definitely  ascertained  by  us.  Their  calculations 
of  it  vary  from  twelve  to  fifteen  hundred. — Our  own  loss, 
killed  and  wounded,  during  the  regular  operations  of  the 
siege,  falls  a  little  short  of  eighty,  all  told.  The  names  of 
those  that  fell  at  Puente  de  Moreno  have  before  been  given. 
The  list  of  the  others  is  contained  in  the  note  on  page  556. 

Beside  those  mentioned,  there  were,  also,  Midshipman 
Shubrick  and  fifteen  seamen  of  the  navy,  killed  and  wounded. 
— With  so  little  loss  of  life  amid  such  terrible  and  long-con- 

PUSTA  DE  HOENOS.  (without  the  walls  of  Vera  Cruz),     ) 
Saturday,  March  27, 1847.  J 

Terms  of  capitulation  agreed  upon  by  the  Commissioners,  viz  : 
Generate  W.  J.  Worth  and  G.  J.  Pillow,  and  Col.  J.  G.  Totten,  chief  engineer,  on 
the  part  of  Maj.  Gen.  Scott,  General-in-Chief  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  and 
CoL  Jose  Gutierrez  de  Villaneuva,  Lieut.  Col.  of  Engineers,  Manuel  Robles,  and 
Col.  Pedro  de  Herrera,  commissioners  appointed  by  Gen.  of  Brig.  Don  Jose  Juan 
Landero,  Commander-in-chief  of  Vera  Cruz,  the  castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa,  and 
their  dependencies,  for  the  surrender  to  the  arms  of  the  United  States  of  the  forts, 
with  their  armaments,  munitions  of  war,  garrisons  and  arms. 

1.  The  whole  garrison  or  garrisons  to  be  surrendered  to  the  arms  of  the  United 
States,  as  prisoners  of  war,  on  the  29th  inst.,  at  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.;  the  garrison  to  be 
permitted  to  march  out  with  all  the  honors  of  war,  and  to  lay  down  their  arms  to  such 
officers  as  may  be  appointed  by  the  general-in-chief  of  the  United  States'  army,  and 
at  a  place  to  be  agreed  upon  by  the  commissioners. 

2.  Mexican  officers  shall  preserve  their  arms  and  effects,  including  horses  and  horse 
furniture,  and  to  be  allowed,  regular  and  irregular  officers,  as  also  the  rank  and  file, 
five  days  to  retire  to  their  respective  homes,  on  parole,  as  hereinafter  prescribed. 

3.  Coincident  with  the  surrender,  as  stipulated  in  article  1,  the  Mexican  flags  of 
the  various  forts  and  stations  shall  be  struck,  saluted  by  their  own  batteries,  and  im- 
mediately thereafter  the  forts  Santiago  and  Conception,  and  the  castle  of  San  Juan  de 
Ulua,  occupied  by  the  forces  of  the  United  States. 

4.  The  rank  and  file  of  the  regular  portion  of  the  prisoners  to  be  disposed  of,  after 
surrender  and  parole,  as  their  general-in-chief  may  desire,  and  the  irregular  to  be  per- 
mitted to  return  to  their  homes.     The  officers,  in  respect  to  all  arms  and  descriptions 
of  force,  giving  the  usual  parole,  that  the  said  rank  and  file,  as  well  as  themselves, 
shall  not  serve  again  until  duly  exchanged. 

5.  AH  the  materiel  of  war,  and  all  public  property,  of  every  description,  found  in 
the  city,  the  castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulua  and  their  dependencies,  to  belong  to  the 
United  States ;  but  the  armament  of  the  same  (not  injured  or  destroyed  in  the  further 


SURRENDER  OF  VERA  CRUZ.  555 

tinued  discharges  of  artillery,  has  Gen.  Scott  thus  taken  the 
city  of  Vera  Cruz  and  the  strong  castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa, 
that  even  ROW,  on  the  ground,  we  are  surprised  at  the  result. 

Most  anxiously  are  all  throughout  the  camp  waiting  for 
the  approach  of  to-morrow,  which  shall  place  us  in  posses- 
sion of  these  formidable  strong-holds. 

March  29th.  This  has  been  a  day  of  triumph  to  the  Amer- 
ican army,  which  will  long  be  remembered  by  every  one 
whose  fortune  it  was  to  witness  the  imposing  scene. — The 
morning  was  calm  and  tranquil,  the  sky  clear,  and  the  sun 
rose  in  unusual  splendor ;  not  a  breath  of  wind  was  there 
even  to  display  the  flags,  with  which  the  shipping  was  deco- 
rated, or  those  which  hung  over  the  castle  and  forts  of  the 
city.  No  sound  could  be  heard  from  within  the  walls.  Our 

prosecution  of  the  actual  war)  may  be  considered  as  liable  to  be  restored  to  Mexico 
by  a  definite  treaty  of  peace. 

6.  The  sick  and  wounded  Mexicans  to  be  allowed  to  remain  in  the  city  with  such 
medical  officers  and  attendants  and  officers  of  the  army  as  may  be  necessary  to  their 
care  and  treatment. 

7.  Absolute  protection  is  solemnly  guarantied  to  persons  in  the  city,  and  property, 
and  it  is  clearly  understood  that  no  private  building  or  property  is  to  be  taken  or  used 
by  the  forces  of  the  United  States,  without  previous  arrangement  with  the  owners,  and 
for  a  fair  equivalent 

8.  Absolute  freedom  of  religious  worship  and  ceremonies  is  solemnly  guarantied. 

[Signed  in  duplicate.]          W.  J.  WORTH,  Brig.  Gen. 

GID.  J.  PILLOW,  Brig.  Gen. 

JOS.  G.  TOTTEN,  Col.  and  Chief  Eng. 

JOSE  GUTIERREZ  DE  VILLANUEVA. 

PEDRO  MIGUEL  HERRERA. 

MANUEL  ROBLES. 

Capt.  Aulick,  appointed  commissioner  by  Com.  Perry  on  behalf  of  the  nary,  (the 
General-in-chief  not  being  able,  in  consequence  of  the  roughness  of  the  sea,  to  com- 
municate with  the  navy  until  after  commissions  had  been  exchanged),  and  being  pres- 
ent by  Gen.  Scott's  invitation,  and  concurring  in  the  result  and  approving  thereof, 

hereto  affixes  his  name  and  signature. 

J.  H.  AULICK,  Capt.  U.  S.  N. 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THB  ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,     / 
Camp  Washington,  before  Vera  Cruz,  March  27, 1847.  f 

Approved  and  accepted  : 

WINFIELD  SCOTT. 

M.  C.  PERRY. 
Commander-in-Cfiiefof  U.  &  naval  forces  in  the  gulf  of  Mexico. 

VKHA  CKUZ,  Marzo  27,  1847. 
Aprobad  y  aceptado : 

JOSE  JUAN  DE  LANDERO. 


556  SURRENDER  OF  VERA  CRUZ. 

batteries  and  trenches  were  still  manned  with  their  full 
number  of  troops  and  seamen,  and  the  guns  remained  loaded. 
— At  an  early  hour  the  drums  were  beat  in  the  encampments 
of  Worth's  and  Patterson's  divisions,  and  all  their  troops 
mustered  to  take  part  in  the  ceremonies  of  the  approaching 
surrender. — The  author,  to  obtain  the  best  view  of  the  whole, 
left  the  camp  and  took  his  position  on  the  naval  battery; 
which,  though  a  little  distant  from  the  plain  below,  on  which 
the  Mexican  army  were  to  march,  yet  commanded  a  fine 
prospect  of  the  city,  the  castle  beyond  it,  and  the  fleet  at  Sa- 

L1ST    OF    KILLED    AND    WOOXDED    AT    THE    SIEGE    OF    VEUA    CBCZ. 
UNDER  GENERAL  WORTH. 

Killed — J.  B.  Vinton,  Captain  3d  artillery,  on  the  22d  March ;  John  Huffner,  private,  com- 
pany B.  2d  artillery,  26th  March  j  Nicholas  Burns,  private,  company  B,  24th  March ; 

,  musician,  21st  March. 

Wounded — James  Foster,  Sergeant,  company  G,  3d  artillery,  March  23d,  severely ;  W.  B. 
Hunt  and  Emile  Voltarat,  privates,  company  B,  2d  artillery,  34th  March,  slightly;  Adolphe 
Malhe,  John  Golding  and  Wm.  Henderson,  privates,  company  D,  2d  artillery,  22d  March,  the 
two  last  named  slightly,  the  other  his  left  arm  shot  off;  Ernest  Krunse,  Owen  Boale.  William 
Carthage,  Joseph  S.  Hayden  and  Archibald  McFadger,  privates  company  F,  2d  artillery,  tha 
first  on  the  20th  and  remainder  on  the  24th  March,  slightly  ;  Martin  Dignant,  private,  compa- 
ny G,  2d  artillery.  -J2d  March,  slightly ;  S.  D.  Schuetzenback,  private,  company  A,  and  Edward 
Fleming,  private,  company  1, 8th  infantry,  23d  March,  slightly. 

UNDER   GKNERAL  TWIGG8. 

KtiUd— Wm.  Alburtis,  Brevet  Captain  2d  infantry,  March  llth,  by  a  cannon  ball ;  Wm.  R. 
Blake,  Sergeant  company  F,  4th  artillery,  March  15th ;  Robert  T.  Cunningham,  private,  com- 
pany A,  mounted  riflemen,  March  llth. 

Wounded — W.  B.  Lane  and  Edward  Harris,  Sergeants,  company  D,  mounted  riflemen, 
March  24th,  severely ;  John  Teluna,  private,  company  E,  mounted  riflemen,  March  24lh, 
severely;  Frederick  Warren,  private,  company  C,  mounted  riflemen,  March  24th,  slightly; 
Henry  Niell.  slightly,  and  Thomas  Weller,  severely,  privates,  company  B,  mounted  riflemen, 
March  llth;  John  Rose,  musician,  company  B.  1st  artillery,  severely ;  James  Stephen,  pri- 
vate, company  F.  4th  artillery.  March  14th,  severely ;  Spencer,  corporal,  company  D,  2d 
infantry,  March  llth,  severely. 

UNDER  GENERAL  PATTERSON. 

Killed — John  Miller  and  Gothlet  Reip,  privates,  company  G,  1st  regiment  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  the  first  on  the  17th,  and  the  latter  on  the  23th  March. 

Wounded — Lieut.  Col.  J.  P.  Dickinson.  South  Carolina  regiment,  severely;  private  Ballad, 
severely,  privates  Coke,  D.  Phillips,  and  Hickey,  slightly,  all  of  South  Carolina  regiment;  Q. 
M.  Sergt.  B.  F.  McDonald,  severely,  Sergt.  Jos.  King,  slightly,  privates  T.  J.  Scott,  severely, 
Henry  Lanbeck,  slightly,  John  G. Eubank,  severely,  all  of  Georgia  regiment — all  on  llth  of 
March;  Sergt.  John  Henson,  company  E.  1st  Pennsylvania  regiment,  March  9th,  slightly; 
privates  O.  Burden.  Wm.  Vandenbark,  and  Andrew  Keamer,  company  I,  Jas.  Stevens,  com- 
pany J,  all  of  1st  Pennsylvania  regiment,  private  Fry,  company  D,  2d  Pennsylvania  regi- 
ment— all  on  llth  of  March,  slightly ;  private  Mark  Fose.  company  A,  2d  Tennessee  regi- 
ment, 25ih  March,  slightly ;  private  John  Hnbbard,  company  A,  1st  Tennessee  regiment, 
during  bombardment,  slightly ;  Sergt  R.  Williamson,  company  C,  1st  Pennsylvania  regiment, 
llth  March,  slightly ;  private  Daniel  Harkins,  company  A,  1st  Pennsylvania  regiment,  (on 
jicquet).  slightly. 

In  addition  to  these,  were  killed  on  the  28th,  of  the  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  regiments 
—Rev.  W.  11.  T.  Carnes,  Robert  Jeff,  George  W.  Miller,  Benjamin  Fane, Hardin,  Wil- 
liam H  Kearney,  and  several  others,  whose  names  are  not  ascertained,  were  lassoed,  shot, 
•tabbed,  and  all  horribly  mutilated,  by  the  enemy. 


SURRENDER  OF  VERA  CRUZ.  557 

crificios,  as  well  as  the  whole  extent  of  the  plain  from  the 
city  walls,  back  as  far  as  Malibran. — The  different  regiments, 
with  their  colors  flying,  moved  upon  the  ground  about  nine 
o'clock,  and  formed  in  two  long  lines,  facing  each  other,  a 
mile  or  more  in  length.  At  the  head  of  these  lines,  about 
half  a  mile  from  the  walls,  were  placed  the  rocket  and 
howitzer  company,  under  Capt.  Talcott,  with  its  six  small 
field  pieces,  so  as  to  rake  the  foreground,  in  case  of  any 
treachery ;  the  matches  were  lighted,  and  the  men  were 
ready  for  such  an  event.  The  mounted  dragoons  were 
drawn  up  in  the  rear  of  Worth's  line,  and  a  large  detachment 
of  seamen  from  the  navy  were  near.  The  music  bands  of 
the  army  were  at  their  stations,  but  were  wrholly  silent. — 
The  view  of  these  large  bodies  of  troops,  thus  placed,  was 
in  itself  of  much  interest. — Gen.  Worth  was  conspicuous  at 
the  head  of  his  column,  from  his  brilliant  uniform  and  long, 
waving  plume. — The  sea-breeze  shortly  began  to  blow  gen- 
tly, and  the  numerous  banners  floated  gaily  in  it. — At  ten 
o'clock,  precisely  (according  to  the  terms  of  the  capitulation), 
a  single  light  volume  of  smoke  burst  out  from  the  castle,  and 
rolled  off  over  the  water.  The  report  announced  that  all 
was  ready.  Immediately  the  Mexican  bands  within  the  city 
struck  up  their  loud  music,  and  with  drums,  fifes,  clarionetts 
and  bugles,  swelled  the  concert.  As  they  finished,  the  fort 
of  Santiago  commenced  a  salute  of  artillery,  in  honor  of  the 
Mexican  flag  still  waving  above  it.  As  the  last  cannon  of 
this  was  fired,  the  flag  was  hauled  down,  and  at  the  same 
moment  descended  all  the  others,  which  had  been  flying  at 
different  points  above  the  city.  The  gates  were  thrown 
open,  and  the  head  of  the  Mexican  army  emerged  therefrom, 
accompanied  by  loud  music,  and  battalion  after  battalion 
swept  out  under  their  banners ;  they  appeared  soldier-like, 
as  they  moved  towards  our  lines,  with  shouldered  muskets 
and  free  step,  while  the  rays  of  the  sun  glanced  upon  their 
bright  arms.  Their  movements  were  made  with  precision 
and  concord.  Their  officers  paid  the  same  attention  to  these, 
as  though  they  had  been  on  parade.  Some  of  the  regiments 
were  clothed  in  brilliant  uniforms  of  green,  trimmed  with 
red ;  others  in  blue,  trimmed  also  with  red ;  others  in  light 


SURRENDER  OF  VERA  CRUZ. 

dress,  nearly  white,  with  red  pompons ;  and,  taking  them 
altogether,  they  made  a  much  more  imposing  display  than 
did  the  same  number  of  our  troops  in  their  plain  blue. — First 
came  the  column  of  regulars ;  then  followed  the  National 
Guard.  Crowds  of  women  came  out,  loaded  with  baskets, 
children,  household  furniture,  and  almost  every  other  con- 
ceivable article.  These  camp-women,  thus  burdened,  fol- 
lowed contentedly,  and  seemed  more  like  the  slaves  than  the 
companions  of  the  soldiers.  They  waited  on  them,  bringing 
them  water,  &c.  Most  of  these  were  by  no  means  attractive 
in  their  appearance,  although  some  were  indeed  handsome 
in  countenance,  and  with  good  forms. — The  platoons  of  regu- 
lars moved  on  with  a  free  step,  to  their  music,  and  coming  to 
the  space  between  our  lines,  were  halted,  wheeled  into  line, 
and,  at  the  command,  stacked  their  muskets  regularly,  and 
hung  over  them  their  bayonet-scabbards  and  cartridge-boxes  ; 
their  numerous  colors,  drums,  and  musical  instruments,  were 
alike  placed  down  ;  and  then,  at  the  renewed  order,  the  dis- 
armed platoons  moved  off  and  gave  room  for  other  columns 
and  other  bands,  which  still  were  pouring  from  the  city  gates. 
This  scene  continued  for  two  hours,  during  which  no  music. 
but  that  of  the  Mexican  bands  could  be  heard.  Not  a  word 
was  said  by  the  American  troops  to  the  disarmed  bodies,  as 
they  passed  down  the  lines  towards  Madeline.  After  the 
army  came  a  miscellaneous  crowd  of  citizens,  officers,  priests, 
and  camp-women ;  wounded  and  sick  soldiers ;  and  in  the 
throng  were  carts,  each  drawn  by  three  mules  abreast,  con- 
taining the  women  and  children  of  the  officers  ;  also,  literas, 
a  kind  of  covered  box,  with  shafts  each  way,  supported  by 
a  mule  before,  and  another  behind ;  in  these  were  entire 
families.  Other  carts  were  loaded  with  various  articles,  and 
many  mules  were  packed  with  bulky  bundles.  None  of 
these  things  were  interrupted,  but  all  were  allowed  to  pass 
without  hindrance  ; — every  soldier  had  something  besides  his 
full  knapsack ;  and  every  camp-woman  was  loaded  like  a 
mule.  The  officers  themselves  were  on  fine  steeds,  splen- 
didly caparisoned.  One  officer  seemed  to  have  much  money, 
for  it  took  four  soldiers  to  carry  the  litter  containing  it  upon 
their  shoulders.  Every  officer  retained  his  sword  ;  and  one 


SURRENDER  OF  VERA  CRUZ.  55i> 

company  of  soldiers,  in  number  about  forty,  marched  down 
the  lines  with  their  muskets  shouldered,  not  stopping  to 
stack  them.  They,  by  previous  arrangement,  had  been  per- 
mitted to  retain  these,  in  order  to  guard  a  gang  of  convicts, 
who  had  been  confined  in  the  castle,  and  were  now  taken 
with  them. — Toward  the  last  of  the  long  procession  came 
a  body  of  dismounted  lancers,  dressed  in  their  uniforms  of 
green.  These  laid  their  escopetas  and  lances  on  the  ground, 
and  in  regular  order  followed  after  the  dense  crowd  that  had 
preceded  them. — On  the  countenances  of  the  soldiers,  not- 
withstanding the  firm  step  and  martial  bearing,  with  which 
they  swept  down  the  plain,  could  be  seen  an  undefined  ex- 
pression of  doubt  and  anxiety,  especially  as  they  came 
before  the  artillery  of  the  rocket  and  howitzer  company, 
which  bore  upon  them,  looking  threateningly. — A  bare  sketch 
of  the  vast  crowd  that  continued  to  pour  out  from  the  gates, 
is  all  that  can  be  given  in  this  compass  to  the  reader. 

The  officers  generally  were  fine-looking  men,  of  light  com- 
plexion, and  exceedingly  polite  in  their  manners ;  saluting 
our  generals  with  their  drawn  swords,  as  they  passed.  The 
soldiers  were  of  every  grade  of  color. — When  the  rear  of  the 
conquered  army  had  emerged  from  the  gate,  three  companies 
of  the  3d  and  4th  regiments  U.  S.  artillery,  with  their  field- 
pieces  and  colors,  commenced  the  march  for  the  gate,  with- 
out music,  passing  along  the  column  of  Mexicans,  who  with 
shouldered  arms  were  still  advancing.  They  soon  arrived 
there,  and  passed  through ;  one  company  going  down  to 
take  possession  of  Fort  Santiago,  the  other  to  the  Castle. 
— Shortly  after,  the  whole  of  the  Mexicans  laid  down 
their  arms,  and  the  throng  of  stragglers  that  followed,  had 
passed  on. — As  yet  not  a  sound  of  music  had  been  heard 
from  our  lines.  Our  troops  were  motionless,  and  a  few  mo- 
ments of  suspense  took  place. — All  eyes  were  directed  to 
Fort  Santiago,  watching  for  the  appearance  of  the  American 
flag. — The  musquito  fleet  of  the  two  steamers  and  five 
schooners,  could  be  seen  to  glide  gracefully  in  between  the 
city  and  castle. — Suddenly  the  flag  looked  for  arose  to  the 
top  of  the  staff,  and  unrolled  its  stars  and  stripes  to  the  breeze, 
and,  at  the  same  instant,  the  guns  below  it,  which  had  beea 


560  SURRENDER  OF  VERA  CRUZ. 

belching  their  thunders  against  it,  spoke  out  as  clear  for  its 
honor,  and  announced  that  the  city  was  ours. — Simultane- 
ously with  its  discharges,  came  a  full  salute  from  the  field- 
pieces  on  the  plain,  another  from  the  batteries,  still  another 
from  the  musquito  fleet  in  the  harbor,  and  one  also  from 
every  vessel  of  war  at  Sacrificios.  The  first  glimpse  of  the 
flag  as  it  rolled  out,  was  the  signal  for  all  to  fire  together ; 
and  their  mingled  roar  appeared  to  shake  the  hills.  The 
whole  fleet  was  completely  enveloped  in  smoke. — When 
this  grand  discharge  had  ceased  its  thunders,  the  bands  of 
music  commenced,  and  the  strains  of  "  Hail  Columbia,"  rose 
in  power  on  the  air,  and  the  enthusiasm  of  the  American 
army  was  aroused  to  its  highest  pitch.  Gen.  Worth's  divi- 
sion was  put  in  motion :  dragoons,  artillery  and  infantry, 
swept  by,  to  the  quick  and  inspiring  national  air  of  "  Yankee 
Doodle ;"  and  thus  they  entered  the  city. 

The  impressive  scene  closed  with  the  entrance  into  the 
gates  of  the  heavy  column. — The  other  troops  were  marched 
back  to  their  encampments  and  dismissed,  and  the  general 
exclamations  of  all  were  of  the  events  of  the  day,  and  the 
wonder  expressed  was,  whether  they  should  ever  see  the  like 
again. 

The  Mexicans  had  all  gone,  and  the  surrounding  country 
was  full  of  them,  as  they  pursued  their  various  courses, 
— some  north,  some  south, — carrying  in  every  direction  the 
news  of  their  defeat. — At  the  gates  of  the  city  were  imme- 
diately placed  sentinels,  to  prevent  the  entrance  of  any  more 
soldiers, — Gen.  Scott  being  fearful  of  disturbance  or  disorder. 
Many  of  the  soldiers,  however,  anxious  to  see  the  city,  en- 
tered, through  the  breaches  battered  in  the  walls.  On  ap- 
proaching these,  we  were  struck  by  the  preparations  that  had 
been  made  for  defence  against  an  assault : — deep  holes  were 
dug  along  in  three  parallel  lines,  with  lance  heads  set  in  the 
bottom  ; — a  thick  growth  of  prickly  pear  was  within  these. 
At  every  distance  of  two  hundred  yards,  the  solid  stone  forts 
stood  out  from  the  walls.  We  entered  into  the  "  railroad 
fort." — Six  heavy  cannon  were  there  ; — piles  of  .shot  lay 
near  each;  — the  rammers,  sponges,  &c.,  were  laid  across 
them,  as  the  artillerists  had  left  them  in  the  morning. — 


APPEARANCE  OF  CITY   WHEN  TAKEN.  561 

Blood  had  stained  the  whole  place,  where  the  Mexican  sol- 
diers had  fallen  at  their  posts ; — bags  of  sand  had  been 
placed  upon  the  breaches  of  the  walls. 

We  passed  out  of  this,  inside  of  the  battered  city  wall, 
along  the  wide  avenue  between  that  and  the  buildings,  to 
the  next  fort, — or  the  "  red  fort,"  as  we  called  it, — which  had 
done  so  much  injury  to  our  batteries,  and  received  so  much 
in  return.  Six  heavy  cannon  of  brass,  cast  in  Spain  a  hun- 
dred or  more  years  ago, — in  1707,  1750,  1694,  &c., — were 
here ; — the  cannon  shot,  rammers,  &c.,  lay  as  in  the  other, 
and  with  them  several  large  boxes  of  congreve  rockets,  and 
piles  of  grape  and  canister  shot.  Some  of  these  guns  had 
been  injured  by  our  fire,  and  the  battlements  of  the  fort  were 
torn  down,  but  had  been  rebuilt,  during  the  intervening  time, 
with  bags  of  sand.  Large  stains  of  blood  were  on  the  whole 
area. 

Turning  from  this,  we  passed  down  to  the  fort  of  Santiago. 
This  was  much  larger  than  the  others  ;  was  battered,  but  not 
so  much  as  the  city  wall  or  other  forts. 

We  turned  into  the  streets,  and  a  scene  of  destruction  and 
desolation  was  before  us. — Bombs  had  fallen  thickly,  making, 
in  their  descent,  large  holes  in  the  pavements ;  and  the  ex- 
plosions that  had  followed,  had  thrown  the  ragged  pieces  of 
iron,  and  the  round  paving  stones,  through  the  sides  of  the 
buildings,  doors,  and  windows,  tearing  and  crashing  all  be- 
fore them.  Very  many  had  fallen,  too,  upon  the  stone  and 
tiled  flat  roofs,  which  had  failed  to  protect  the  interior :  for 
the  ponderous  shells  had  torn  and  descended,  through  the 
rooms  and  the  floors,  to  the  basement.  The  effect  of  their 
explosions  was  terrible. — The  floors,  and  in  many  instances 
the  stone  walls,  were  lifted,  crashed,  and  all  fell  in — a  mass 
of  timbers,  plank,  plaster,  stone  and  brick — upon  the  man- 
gled inmates. 

The  streets  were  covered  with  heaps  of  broken  walls> 
plaster,  and  brick  ;  heavy  pieces  of  exploded  shells  were 
scattered  in  and  about  their  deep,  torn  out  beds. —  In  all  the 
southern  part  of  the  city  the  heavy  cannon  shot  had  ranged 
in  straight  lines,  doing  terrible  execution; — whole  sides  of 
stone  blocks  had  fallen  before  them.  The  interiors  of  some 
30 


562  APPEARANCE  OF  THE  CITY  AFTER   SURRENDER. 

of  the  churches  were  ripped  and  torn  in  a  scene  of  confusion 
and  destruction  difficult  to  imagine.  The  chequered  marble 
floors  were  thrown  up,  theimages  were  broken  and  scattered, 
the  plastering  tumbled  in  ;  and  in  one,  a  shell  had  taken  off 
the  head  of  an  image  of  Christ  upon  the  cross. 

We  were  looking  within  the  walls  of  a  fine,  two  story, 
lofty  building,  and  observing  the  complete  havock  made 
by  a  bomb,  when  a  Mexican  woman  came  by,  (the  first  that 
we  had  seen  within  the  walls  :  for  the  streets  were  nearly 
deserted).  Throwing  up  her  hand  from  under  her  reboso, 
and  fixing  her  eyes  upon  us,  with  a  wild  and  terrified  look, 
she  exclaimed,  "  Muchas  bombas  Americanos  !  mui  malo,  mui  ter- 
rible /"  (multitude  of  American  bomb-shells  !  very  bad,  most 
terrible !) — and,  after  gazing  upon  us  for  a  moment,  with 
grief  and  terror  depicted  in  her  countenance,  she  passed  on. 

The  owner  of  a  large  store  invited  some  of  us  to  follow 
him  into  the  second  story  of  his  buildings.  In  a  room,  on 
the  shelves,  a  great  quantity  of  China  and  Liverpool  \vare 
had  been  stowed.  Many  large  and  splendid  looking-glasses 
had  been  hung  up  around.  On  one  side  of  the  apartment 
had  been  a  range  of  costly  furniture, — tables  of  the  richest 
mahogany  and  rosewood,  secretaries  and  sideboards,  with 
black  and  white  marble  slabs  on  their  tops  ;  Grecian  chairs, 
&c.,  &c. 

Into  this  costly  collection  a  heavy  bomb,  breaking  in  an 
instant  through  the  thick  roof,  which  the  owner  had  fondly 
believed  to  be  proof  against  them,  had  descended  and  explo- 
ded ;  and  the  complete  destruction  of  everything,  with  the 
fallen  quantities  of  plaster  and  stone,  could  not  be  justly 
described.  We  were  struck  with  amazement.  The  owner 
contemplated  the  scene  for  a  moment,  and  pointing  upwards 
to  the  large  hole,  through  which  we  could  see  the  blue  sky, 
exclaimed,  "  bomba  /"  and  throwing  his  hand  around  towards 
the  heaps  of  property,  so  shattered  in  an  instant,  repeated, 
"  mucho  male !  muclio  malo  !  "  and  shook  his  head  despond 
ingly. 

The  city  had  been  well  prepared  to  resist  an  assault. 
— The  parapet  walls  of  the  houses,  around  the  roofs,  had 
been  piled  higher  with  sand  bags.  Ditches  had  been  dug  in 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  CITY   AFTER   SURRENDER.  563 

every  street,  and  embankments  placed  before  them,  with 
cannon  pointed  over  them.  The  streets,  near  the  city  walls, 
were  barricaded  with  posts  ten  feet  high,  set  in  the  ground. 
Quantities  of  hand  grenades,  or  small  bombs,  to  light  with  a 
a  match,  and  throw  down  upon  troops  in  the  streets  below, 
had  been  carried  up  to  the  tops  of  the  houses.  And  we  found 
that,  in  addition  to  the  force  within,  every  citizen  had  been 
fully  armed  from  the  public  arsenal,  thus  nearly  doubling 
the  force  for  defence. 

But  their  calculations  were  destroyed  by  our  shower  of 
bombs,  against  the  effect  of  which  there  had  been  no  protec- 
tion. They  were  miserably  disappointed  in  the  manner  of 
attack  ;  and  now,  some  of  the  English  and  French,  who  had 
remained  within  the  city  to  witness  the  slaughter  of  our 
troops,  in  the  expected  assault,  and  who  had  suffered  most 
grievously  in  their  families  and  property,  by  the  shells  and 
shot,  had  the  impudence  to  complain  most  bitterly  of  it,, 
saying  that  Gen.  Scott,  when  directing  them  to  leave  the 
city,  did  not  inform  them  that  he  was  going  to  bombard  it ; 
as  if  they  expected  our  general  to  tell  them  and  the  Mexi- 
cans the  plan  of  his  future  operations.  They  refused  to 
leave  the  city  when  they  might  have  done  so  ;  and,  un- 
doubtedly, many  of  them  had  anticipated  the  pleasure  of 
popping  at  us  from  behind  the  parapet  walls  of  their  high 
stone  buildings,  or  dropping  hand  grenades,  to  burst  among 
our  troops  in  the  streets  below ; — they  remained  at  their 
own  peril. 

Gen.  Worth  was  immediately  appointed  governor  of  the 
city  and  castle,  and  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  his  duties. 
— Ten  thousand  rations  of  bread,  rice,  beans,  and  meat, 
were  ordered  to  be  distributed  among  the  poor  of  the  city, 
who  crowded  to  receive  this  unexpected  bounty,  given  by 
those,  who  but  a  day  or  two  before,  were  destroying  them  by 
hundreds. 

The  vessels  were  removed  from  the  anchorage  at  Sacrifi- 
cios,  to  the  harbor  of  the  city. — The  custom-house  was  open- 
ed, and  business  commenced. — A  Mexican  printing-office  was 
hired,  and  a  newspaper,  styled  the  "  Vera  Cruz  Eagle,"  soon 
made  its  appearance.  The  rancheros  came  into  market,  with 


564  REVIVAL   OF   BUSINESS  IN   VERA  CRUZ. 

provisions  and  vegetables  to  sell ;  the  burreros  with  their 
jackasses,  to  resume  their  business,  of  bringing  in  wood, 
coal,  &c. — The  stores  were  re-opened;  and  many  American 
establishments  were  added,  the  goods  of  which  had,  until 
then,  been  on  board  the  vessels  in  the  harbor.  Immense 
quantities  of  stores  were  landed  in  the  city,  and  placed  in 
security. — The  castle  and  city  were  thoroughly  cleaned  up, 
the  rubbish  taken  away,  and  the  citizens,  finding  them- 
selves secure  in  person  and  property,  began  rapidly  to  re- 
build and  repair  their  immense  damages.  The  fondaa,  or 
eating-houses,  were  opened ;  the  religious  services,  in  their 
great  variety,  were  carried  on  ;  one  of  the  first  of  which  was 
afuncion,  or  religious  thanksgiving,  to  show  their  gratitude 
to  the  saints,  that  their  city  had  been  surrendered  to  "  los 
Americanos,"  before  it  had  been  entirely  destroyed,  and  its 
inhabitants  cut  off  by  the  terrible  bombas. 

The  inhabitants  who  had  fled,  began  to  return ;  and  in 
less  than  a  week  Vera  Cruz  was  in  a  more  brisk  and  thriv- 
ing state,  as  it  regarded  business,  than  it  had  been  for  years. 
The  American  soldiers,  who  garrisoned  the  forts  and  castle, 
were  found  to  be  less  oppressive  than  those  of  their  own  na- 
tion.— Money  was  plenty,  labor  wanted  ;  a  market  for  every- 
thing, their  lives  and  property  safe,  their  religion  respected, 
and  in  its  ceremonies  Gen.  Scott,  himself,  took  a  part,  much 
to  their  surprise  and  gratification ;  and  no  one  would  have 
judged  the  Americans  and  Mexicans,  that  were  now  mingled, 
buying  and  selling  from  each  other,  to  have  been,  but  a  few 
days  before,  deadly  enemies  ;  but  so  it  was. — Such  stores  of 
goods  and  merchandise  had  been  sent  by  the  vessels,  that 
anything  needed,  could  be  bought  almost  as  cheap  as  in 
New  Orleans. 

The  camps  of  the  troops  of  Worth's  and  Patterson's  di- 
visions, were  brought  up  near  the  city.  Gen.  Quitman's 
brigade,  of  the  Georgia,  Alabama,  and  South  Carolina  troops, 
with  Lieut.  Steptoe's  artillery,  were  sent  off  to  take  Alvara- 
do,  about  thirty  miles  to  the  south-east;  while  a  powerful 
naval  force,  under  Com.  Perry,  of  the  frigate  Potomac,  the 
steam  frigate  Mississippi,  the  sloop-of-war  St.  Marys,  the 
steamers  Spitfire,  Vixen,  Water  Witch,  the  brig  Porpoise, 


EXPEDITION  AGAINST  ALVARADO.  565 

one  bomb-ketch,  and  the  five  schooners  of  the  nmsquito 
fleet,  sailed  to  make,  in  conjunction  with  Gen.  Quitman, 
this  third  attack  on  Alvarado. — But  Com.  Perry  having 
sent  the  little  steamer  Scourge,  Lieut.  Hunter,  to  lie  off  the 
port,  that  officer  receiving  from  the  authorities  propositions 
for  a  surrender,  accepted  them,  and  hoisted  the  American 
flag  over  the  place,  and  also  over  another  small  town  above, 
to  the  utter  astonishment  of  the  commodore  and  his  officers, 
when  the  fleet  arrived,  and  no  less  so  to  the  army  of  Gen. 
Quitman,  when  they  came  before  the  place.* 

Col.  Harney,  with  his  dragoons,  made  a  descent  upon  the 
town  of  Antigua,  eighteen  miles  north  of  Vera  Cruz,  and 
took  the  place,  capturing  a  number  of  lancers,  and  much 
ammunition  and  arms. — The  navy,  to  atone  for  the  loss  of 
the  anticipated  active  operations  against  Alvarado,  project- 
ed, and  carried  into  execution,  shortly  after  this,  an  expe- 
dition against  the  town  of  Tuspan,  about  one  hundred  and 
thirty  miles  to  the  north-west  of  Vera  Cruz,  defended  by 
Gen.  Cos.  After  some  brisk  fighting,  they  took  this  town, 
and,  with  its  fall,  the  whole  of  the  eastern  coast  of  Mexico, 
bordering  on  the  Gulf,  came  under  the  power  of  the  United 
States. — But  we  are  getting  ahead  of  our  subject. — A  little 
to  be  said  of  Vera  Cruz  and  the  Castle  of  San  Juan  de 
Ulloa,  now  in  our  possession,  and  we  leave  this  city  for  the 
next  scene  of  action,  in  the  interior,  now  approaching  to  the 
vital  part  of  Mexico. 

Vera  Cruz,  or  "  the  true  cross,"  is  a  closely-built  city,  en- 
tirely surrounded  by  a  wall ;  without  which  is  a  barren  sand 
plain,  save  on  the  south,  where  is  a  dilapidated  part  of  its 
former  extent,  and  a  stone  walk  for  pleasure,  called  the  Pas- 
eo.  The  streets  are  regular  and  well  paved,  with  sidewalks 
of  smooth  cement.  The  houses,  mostly  of  two  lofty  stories, 
square,  with  court-yards  within,  as  has  been  described  at 
Tampico.  There  is  not  a  garden,  or  a  tree,  or  a  single  green 

*  For  this  act  Lieut.  Hunter  was  arrested  by  Commodore  Perry,  tried  by  a  court- 
martial,  and  sentenced  to  be  reprimanded  and  sent  home ;  which  was  done. — But  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  not  agreeing  with  the  proceedings  of  the  commodore, 
complimented  Lieut.  Hunter  for  his  conduct.  The  expression  of  public  opinion  waa 
•Iso  in  his  favor  and  a  splendid  sword  was  presented  to  him  for  the  act 


566  CITY  OF  VERA  CRUZ. 

leaf  of  shrub  or  plant,  or  vacant  spot  of  ground  from  the 
city  wall  on  one  side,  to  the  same  on  the  other.  It  is  a 
heavy  mass  of  stone,  brick,  and  mortar,  throughout ;  and  is 
like  a  vast  citadel  surrounded  by  its  heavy  fortifications.  It 
has  a  splendid  aqueduct,  built  in  1725,  for  supplying  it  with 
water  from  the  interior.  It  is  most  liberally  furnished  with 
churches  ;  not  all  of  which,  however,  are  used.  The  oldest 
one,  built  in  1630,  can  partly  be  seen  in  the  view  opposite, 
taken  by  the  author,  of  the  Gate  of  Merc)-,  or  principal  gate 
on  the  southern  side  of  the  city,  and  the  same  out  of  which 
the  Mexican  army  marched  to  the  surrender.  The  reader 
can  see  there,  the  railroad,  which  runs  but  a  few  miles  into 
the  interior,  made  thus  far  by  English  capitalists ;  the  car, 
with  the  cannon-ball  hole  through  it ;  the  road,  torn  up  by 
the  explosion  of  shells, — shot,  and  pieces  of  shell  around  ;  a 
burrero,  driving  in  his  two  jacks  with  coal ;  a  Vera  Cruz  cart, 
with  three  mules  abreast ; — beyond  is  seen  the  double  gate, 
one  of  our  wagons  going  in,  and  the  sentinels  there ;  on  the 
left  of  it  some  tables,  at  which  the  Mexicans  sell  pulque, 
pine-apples,  oranges,  &c.  The  walls  and  the  buildings  are 
battered  with  shot,  though,  directly  at  this  spot,  they  did  not 
suffer  very  much.  The  shell  that  entered  the  dome  of  the  old 
church  above  the  window,  did  much  damage  in  the  interior, 
and  killed  several  women  that  were  praying  within  to  the 
Virgin  Mary.  The  building,  seen  only  by  its  interior  corner, 
on  the  extreme  left,  was  the  barracks  for  the  troops  ;  but  it 
was  so  riddled  through  in  hundreds  of  places,  by  our  shot, 
as  to  be  untenable  by  the  Mexicans  during  the  bombardment. 
On  the  right,  are  seen  two  guns  of  the  "  white  fort."  In  the 
cart  are  a  couple  of  women,  with  their  rebozos  drawn  over 
their  heads. — On  entering  this  gate,  you  come  directly  into 
a  crowded  street. — The  materials  of  which  the  walls,  the 
buildings,  the  aqueduct,  and  the  whole  Castle  are  constructed, 
is  a  porous,  hard,  coral  rock,  which  is  obtained  from  the 
reefs  in  the  harbor,  before  mentioned.  Their  lime,  for  mortar, 
is  burnt  from  the  same  rock. — Vera  Cruz  has  always  enjoyed 
most  of  the  foreign  trade  of  the  city  of  Mexico,  and  would, 
from  its  position,  be  a  much  larger  city,  but  for  its  poor 
harbor,  exposed  to  the  northers,  (being  only  protected  from 


. 


CASTLE  OF  SAN  JUAN  DE  ULLOA.          569 

their  force  by  the  reefs  and  castle),  and  its  fatal  yearly  visits 
of  yellow  fever  or  vomito. 

The  castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa*  is  built  on  a  small  island 
opposite  the  city.  The  waves  beat  against  its  massive  walls 
on  every  side  but  the  north-east,  where  is  a  small  beach. — It 
is  divided  within  into  three  separate  fortresses,  with  canals 
between,  which  are  crossed  by  draw-bridges ;  (for  view  of  one, 
see  frontispiece).  It  is  of  immense  strength; — the  walls  are 
from  fifteen  to  eighteen  feet  thick,  of  solid  stone  ; — the  flat 
roof,  supported  on  arches,  is  nearly  as  thick. — The  area  on 
the  top  of  this  is  so  extensive  that  thousands  of  infantry 
and  squadrons  of  cavalry  might  parade  upon  it.  There  is  a 
large  plaza  in  the  interior  or  main  fortress. — On  the  top,  and 
in  the  water  batteries,  or  lower  forts,  the  cannon  are  ar- 
ranged along  in  formidable  rows ; — there  are  many  sixty- 
eight  and  eighty-four-pounders  among  them,  and  several 
mortars.  Magazines  are  placed  in  various  parts  of  the  large 
extent.  The  whole  fort  covers  between  seven  and  eight 
acres. — Its  full  complement  of  cannon  is  three  hundred  and 
seventy;  complete  garrison,  two  thousand  five  hundred  men. 
In  the  plaza  below,  or  paved  square,  and  the  courts  and 
streets,  it  resembles  a  city,  with  its  lofty  houses  around. — 
On  the  top,  one  is  struck  with  its  extent,  magnitude  and 
strength. 

Its  water  tanks  are  filled  by  the  rain  which  descends  on 
the  extensive  stone  area  above.  These  tanks  hold  a  suffi- 
cient quantity  to  serve  the  whole  garrison  for  two  years. — 
Its  immense  arches  below;  its  subterranean  apartments;  its 
large  square;  its  extensive  canals,  fine  bridges,  thick  walls, 
solid  roofs,  and  its  excellent  adaptation  for  defence,  and  its 
durability,  (for  one  cannot  see  why  it  should  not  remain  a 
thousand  years),  excite  wonder  and  astonishment  in  the 
mind  of  the  beholder.  The  magazines  were  filled  with  pow 
der  :  its  plaza  piled  with  shells  and  shot. 

Many  of  its  guns  are  of  old  Spanish  and  French  manufac- 
ture, and  are  beautifully  carved,  and  most  have  upon  them 
the  name  of  Philip  V,  of  Spain.  This  castle  was  commenced 
in  building  near  two  hundred  and  eighty  years  since; — has 

*  A  disputed  word — sometimes  spelled  "  Ulloa,"  and  at  others,  "  Ulua." 


570  CASTLE  OF  SAN  JUAN   DE    L'LLOA. 

been  improved  and  built  upon  continually  since,  or  until  the 
Spaniards  lost  it ; — has  cost  upwards  of  fifty  millions  of  dol- 
lars, according  to  the  accounts  of  the  different  expenditures  ; 
and  now,  with  an  American  garrison  in  it,  it  would  bid  suc- 
cessful defiance  to  the  navies  of  the  world.  To  describe  it, 
so  as,  part  by  part,  to  bring  it  fully  before  the  reader's  mind, 
would  take  a  volume  of  hundreds  of  pages.  A  correct  view 
of  its  outside  appearance  from  a  distance,  to  the  south,  ia 
shown  in  the  picture  of  the  bombardment. 

The  Spaniards  held  possession  of  it  eighteen  months  after 
they  had  lost  the  city  opposite,  and,  in  fact,  every  foot  of 
land  in  Mexico,  save  that ;  and  even  then  were  starved  out. 
The  Mexicans  might  have  set  at  nought  all  our  efforts  to 
take  it,  had  they  been  supplied  with  provisions,  and  been 
willing  to  abandon  the  city  to  its  fate  ;  for  Gen.  Scott  refused, 
at  last,  to  accept  the  surrender  of  the  city  without  the  castle  ; 
and,  while  the  garrison  of  the  latter  had  laid  in  sufficient 
powder,  shot  and  shells,  for  a  siege  of  years,  they  had  not 
provisions  in  it  for  more  than  a  few  weeks. 

And  so  had  fallen  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz  before  American 
arms  ;  one  castle,  the  strongest  in  America  ;  nine  other  forts, 
well  mounted  with  artillery ;  over  four  hundred  good  pieces 
of  cannon  and  mortars,  of  every  calibre,  and  an  abundance 
of  ammunition  for  them  ;  near  six  thousand  stand  of  mus- 
kets, and  many  other  arms  ;  and  five  thousand  prisoners, 
besides  inhabitants. 


CHAPTER     XIII. 

WE  were  not  allowed  much  rest  in  Vera  Cruz,  for  Gen. 
Scott  had  determined  on  an  immediate  advance  towards  the 
city  of  Mexico ;  but  he  was  delayed  in  his  operations  for  a 
few  days,  by  the  want  of  transportation. — Mules  enough 
could  not  be  procured,  and  those  sent  from  the  United  States 
were  slow  in  arriving. 

While  these  events  of  the  investment,  bombardment  and 
capture  of  Vera  Cruz  and  the  castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa 
had  been  carried  on,  Gen.  Santa  Anna,  upon  whom  all  the 
•hopes  of  the  Mexicans  depended,  had  not  been  idle ;  but, 
after  reaching  San  Luis  Potosi,  about  the  5th  of  March,  on 
his  return  from  his  bloody  battle  with  Gen.  Taylor,  at  Buena 
Vista,  remained  there  only  a  few  days. — Spurred  on  by  the 
difficulties  that  surrounded  him, — the  actual  existence  of  a 
revolution  in  the  city  of  Mexico,  raised  by  Gen.  Pena  y  Bar- 
ragan,  against  the  power  of  Gomez  Farias,  the  vice  presi- 
dent, who  held  the  reins  of  government, — by  the  descent 
of  Gen.  Scott  upon  Vera  Cruz,  of  which  he  was  previously 
aware,  from  the  captured  dispatches, — he  left  San  Luis  on 
the  14th  of  March,  and  attended  by  two  brigades  of  infantry 
and  one  of  cavalry,  commenced  his  movement  for  the  city  of 
Mexico,  leaving  a  force  at  San  Luis,  and  another,  under  Gen. 
Miflon,  on  the  road  between  that  place  and  Buena  Vista,  to 
oppose  any  onward  movement  that  Gen.  Taylor  might  pro- 
ject. He  had  previously  sent  four  thousand  of  his  veterans, 
tinder  Gen.  Vasquez,  to  the  seat  of  government. 

His  reception  at  the  towns  on  his  route  was  that  of  a  tri- 
umphant conqueror; — deputations  from  Congress  met  him 
to  congratulate  him  on  his  glorious  achievements  : — the  mu- 

(571) 


572  ENERGETIC  MOVEMENTS  OF  GEN.  SANTA  ANNA. 

nicipal  authorities  of  the  towns  vied  with  one  another  in 
endeavoring  to  do  him  honor,  so  completely  had  the  whole 
people  been  deceived  with  regard  to  his  action  at  Buena 
Vista.  New  recruits,  in  crowds,  joined  his  standard,  eager 
to  march  against  the  Americans,  to  accomplish  other  glorious 
actions. 

He  arrived  near  Mexico  on  the  20th  March,  having,  a  week 
previous,  written  letters  to  Gomez  Farias,  and  to  Gen.  Barre- 
gan,  the  chiefs  of  the  opposing  factions  in  the  capital,  to  sus- 
pend all  hostilities  until  his  arrival ;  and  which  direction  by 
each  had  been  obeyed.  He  took  the  oath  of  office,  as  Presi- 
dent of  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  on  the  23d,  and,  reconciling 
both  the  contending  armies,  united  their  forces  to  his  own. 
He  impressed  many  wagons  and  atajos  of  mules  into  his 
service,  and  at  the  head  of  his  army  quickly  marched  by  the 
national  road  towards  Vera  Cruz,  adding  to  his  force  the 
troops  at  Puebla,  Perote,  and  Jalapa.  At  the  latter  place  he 
borrowed  from  the  alcaldes  twenty  thousand  dollars,  to  pay 
to  his  force.  He  made  a  stand  with  his  army,  then  swelled 
to  thirteen  thousand  men,  with  forty-two  pieces  of  artillery, 
at  the  pass  of  Cerro  Gordo — a  strong  position,  about  sixty 
miles  from  Vera  Cruz,  and  twenty-seven  from  Jalapa. 

This  pass,  which  had  before  been  the  scene  of  contest, 
in  their  civil  wars,  as  well  as  in  that  between  Mexico  and 
Spain,  had  always  been  regarded  as  impregnable  to  an  attack 
made  by  an  enemy  advancing  from  the  coast,  and  as  impos- 
sible to  be  turned.*  The  heights,  here  overhanging  the  road, 
already  strongly  fortified,  he  farther  strengthened,  and  placed 
in  position  his  pieces  of  artillery.  His  right  was  protected 
by  a  ravine  of  several  hundred  feet  perpendicular  depth,  and 
his  left  by  the  height  of  Cerro  Gordo ;  his  front  was  covered 
with  hills,  among  which  the  road  lay  for  miles,  and  came  up 
through  his  centre,  between  the  heights,  and  was  thus  ren- 
dered utterly  impassable.  Here  he  waited,  to  prevent  the 
advance  of  Scott,  confident  of  victory,  from  his  position,  sit- 
uation of  artillery,  and  amount  of  force.  No  stronger  place 
could  have  been  found. — He  was  not  obliged  to  wait  long, 

*  Santa  Anna's  vindication,  published  at  the  city  of  Mexico  soon  after  the  battle 
of  Cerro  Gordo. 


SANTA   ANNA'S   ESTATE.  573 

as  the  sequel  will  show. — In  the  interval,  let  us  speak  of 
this  section  of  country. 

The  land  upon  which  Santa  Anna  had  now  posted  him- 
self, belonged,  as  private  property,  to  him.  His  vast  estate 
comprehends  the  whole  slope  of  the  mountains,  from  Jalapa 
to  Vera  Cruz,  near  ninety  miles,  including,  in  one  sense,  the 
land  of  the  torrid  and  of  the  temperate  zones ;  for,  as  land 
rises,  the  air  becomes  cooler,  and  at  Jalapa  is  almost  like  that 
of  a  perpetual  spring.  On  the  lower  part  of  Santa  Anna's 
estate,  towards  Vera  Cruz,  in  the  tierras  calientes,  or  hot  lands, 
can  every  rich  fruit  of  the  torrid  zone  be  produced :  oranges, 
lemons,  limes,  figs,  pine-apples,  zapotes,  tunas,  anonas,  ba- 
nanas, plantains,  cocoa-nuts,  and  sugar-cane ;  while  upon 
the  tierras  templadas,  or  temperate  lands,  flourish  corn,  cotton, 
small  grains,  and  the  fruits  and  flowers  of  the  temperate 
zones.  The  oak,  the  sycamore,  and  the  other  forest  trees  to 
which  he  is  accustomed,  meet  the  eye  of  the  northern  soldier 
in  every  direction ;  the  air  is  cool  and  balmy ;  the  dreaded 
vomito,  or  yellow  fever,  that  so  rages  in  the  tierras  calientes, 
never  reaches  here. 

On  this  large  estate,  the  Mexican  chieftain  has  three  prin- 
cipal haciendas  ;  one  in  the  hot  regions,  eighteen  miles  from 
Vera  Cruz  ;  a  stone  building  splendidly  furnished,  roomy  and 
capacious,  with  marble  floors,  &c.  This  is  called  Manga  de 
Clavo. — Another  is  near  the  Puente  Nacional,  or  National 
Bridge,  about  half  way  to  Jalapa. — The  scenery  around  this 
is  of  the  most  wild  and  romantic  character ;  the  bridge  and 
fort  overlooking  it,  has  been  the  scene  of  many  a  combat  and 
bloody  fight,  between  the  Spaniards  and  Mexicans,  the  differ- 
ent factions  of  the  Mexicans  themselves,  and  lately  between 
the  guerilla  forces  and  small  bodies  of  American  troops.* — 


THE   JfATIOXAL    BRIDGE. 


The  bluff  from  which  this  picture  was  taken  is  of  perpendicular  rock,  about  two 
hundred  feet  in  height.  The  mountain  torrent,  or  the  Rio  Antigua,  as  it  is  called, 
rushes  against  the  base  of  this  rock,  and  turns  off  to  the  left  around  it.  The  bridge 
is  of  solid  stone,  of  magnificent  proportions  and  structure ;  and  will  remain,  unless 
forcibly  destroyed,  for  ages. — Near  the  foreground  of  the  picture,  not  shown  therein,  is 
another  fort,  the  guns  of  which,  when  in  position,  bear  down  upon  the  bridge,  and 
upon  the  road,  as  it  descends  the  opposite  hill.  On  that  slope  perceived,  the  Mexi- 
cans afterward  defeated  the  detachment  of  Captain  Wells,  by  means  of  cannon 


574  HACIENDAS  OF  GEN.  SANTA  ANNA. 

A  view  of  the  bridge  from  the  rocky  bluffs  on  the  lower- 
side,  is  given  on  the  opposite  page ;  and  the  hacienda  of 
Santa  Anna,  spoken  of,  is  seen  on  the  right,  though  the  large 
village  near  it,  is  concealed  by  the  rocks,  that  the  artist  whor 
sketched  it  from  the  author's  drawing,  has  piled  up  too  freely 
there. 


THB    NATIONAL    ROAD    TO    THE    CITI    OF    MEXICO. 

on  the  high  fort  seen  on  the  hill,  and  also  others  on  this  bluff; — their  cross-fires  were 
terrible. — After  that  event,  it  was  found  necessary — what  at  first  should  have  been 
done — to  place  an  American  garrison  in  the  works.  Since  this,  the  guerrillas  do  not 
come  near  it.  This  national  road  has  been  by  some  travelers  described  as  one  most 
miserable ;  but  this  representation  resulted  from  the  fact  of  their  starting  from  Vera 
Cruz  in  the  night,  in  the  diligencia,  or  stage,  and  going  at  a  rapid  rate  ;  the  road,  in 
places,  being  out  of  repair,  they  were  jolted  exceedingly.  The  truth  is,  that  the  road 
was,  originally,  and  would  be  now,  with  small  repairs  in  paving,  the  best  on  the  con- 
tinent of  America. — One  who  marches  slowly  along  it,  is  astonished  at  the  magnitude 
of  the  whole  work  ;  hills  are  dug  down,  and  the  valleys  filled  up ;  every  water-course, 
and  even  little  brook,  is  spanned  by  a  magnificent  bridge,  which,  even  the  most  com- 
mon ones,  exceed,  in  stability  and  beauty,  anything  of  the  kind  to  be  found  in  the 
United  States. — Let  the  traveler,  instead  of  rolling  in  the  close  coach,  take  his  horse, 
and  ride  over  the  road  at  his  leisure ;  descend  the  ravines,  and  pass  under  the  magnifi- 
cent arches  below,  and  he  will  be  astonished  at  the  work. — The  traveling  public  of  the 
West  are  familiar  with  the  stone  arch  over  the  canal  at  Louisville,  Ky.;  but  that  does  not 
compare  with  any  one  of  the  arches  of  the  splendid  national  bridge,  seen  in  the  view. 
Though  from  the  height  which  you  are  supposed  to  look  down  upon  that,  these  appear 
much  lower  than  they  really  are.  Every  object  of  nature  around  is  upon  such  a 
vast  scale,  that  one  does  not  perceive  the  immense  strength  and  size  of  the  bridge, 
until  he  is  on  or  under  it — This  road,  when  first  it  leaves  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz,  passes 
over  the  level,  loose  sands  that  surround  that  city  ;  after  three  miles  it  enters  the  chap- 
paral-covered  sand  hills ;  eight  miles  distance  through  these,  brings  one  upon  it  to  the 
little  town  of  Santa  Fe,  in  the  midst  of  a  beautiful,  undulating  country  :  eighteen  miles, 
to  Manga  de  Clavo,  a  section  more  hilly,  wooded,  green,  and  fertile,  with  many 
ranchos  scattered  about. — It  now  begins  to  ascend,  and,  at  the  national  bridge,  winds 
among  wild  hills,  more  barren  and  sterile;  beyond  this,  it  rises  continually,  ranging 
around  the  bases  of  the  mountainous  hills,  until,  by  a  rapid  and  circuitous  rise,  near 
Cerro  Gordo  it  leaves  the  hot  lands,  and  enters  the  temperate  regions,  but  among 
scenery  so  rugged  and  mountainous,  that  there  are  but  few  ranchos  or  inhabitants.  It, 
continues  rapidly  to  rise,  until,  at  Encerro,  it  passes  through  a  fine  grazing  country, 
where  sheep  and  cattle  are  innumerable,  in  the  undulating  pastures,  which  are  enclosed 
by  stone  walls,  of  miles  in  extent  Still  rising,  and  passing  through  the  town  of  Jalapa, 
it  brings  one  to  a  most  lovely  country  ;  and  then  pursues  its  course  towards  the  city  of 
Mexico.  For  its  whole  extent  it  is  paved,  or  covered  with  tunastute  rock,  which, 
when  pulverized,  makes  a  macadamized  road  of  the  finest  kind.  If  the  pavements 
were  repaired  in  some  places,  it  would,  as  said  before,  be  the  best  road  in  America. 
The  cost  of  it  to  the  Spanish  government  was  immense.  The  Mexicans  have  done 
nothing  to  it  of  benefit 


MARCH  OF   THE  AMERICAN  ARMY  TO  THE  INTERIOR.        577 

Santa  Anna's  third  hacienda  is  at  Encerro,  a  few  miles  east 
of  Jalapa,  and  in  the  temperate  regions.  By  varying  his  resi- 
dence from  Manga  de  Clavo  or  Encerro  to  the  other,  only 
about  sixty  miles  apart,  on  the  same  road,  he  enjoys  as 
much  variety  of  climate,  change  of  scene  and  air,  and  view 
of  the  different  productions  of  the  earth,  as  one  would  find 
in  traveling  from  Maine  to  Florida.  He  can  suit  himself. 
If  at  Manga  de  Clavo  he  is  weary  of  the  rich  fruits  and  hot 
sun  of  the  torrid  zone,  one  day's  ride  takes  him  to  the  medium 
clime  at  the  national  bridge  ;  or  another  to  the  healthful, 
temperate,  grazing  region  about  Encerro. — His  haciendas  are 
all  beautiful.  That  at  Encerro  appears  to  be  the  more  richly 
furnished  ;  while  the  stock  of  fine  wines,  &c.,  into  which  our 
men  dipped,  at  Manga  de  Clavo,  showed  that  he  had  laid  up 
much  for  use  there. 

Between  Encerro  and  the  national  bridge,  at  the  supposed 
impregnable  hills  of  Cerro  Gordo,  as  before  said,  he  awaited 
with  his  hosts,  to  give  battle  to  Gen.  Scott. 

Four  days  after  Vera  Cruz  was  taken,  on  April  3d,  the  latter 
general  issued  orders  to  his  army  to  prepare  for  the  march 
to  the  interior,  stripping  themselves  of  all  extra  baggage, 
and  leaving  all  tents  behind,  save  three  for  each  company  for 
sick,  wounded,  and  protection  of  arms,  in  case  of  rain.  On 
the  8th  of  April,  the  second  division  of  regulars,  under  Gen. 
Twiggs,  commenced  the  march  towards  Jalapa,  all  anxious 
to  leave  this  sickly  climate,  before  which,  already,  many 
were  falling ; — the  hospitals  were  filled  with  sick,  and  the 
dreaded  scourge,  the  vomito,  began  to  make  its  appearance.* 

On  Saturday,  April  10th,  two  days  after  the  departure  of 
Gen.  Twiggs,  the  large  division  of  volunteers  under  Gen. 
Patterson,  followed. — These  were  the  first  and  second  Ten- 
nessee infantry,  under  colonels  Campbell  and  Haskell,  and 
one  company  of  our  regiment  of  cavalry,  Capt.  Caswell ;  the 
first  and  second  Pennsylvania  regiments,  colonels  Roberts 
and  Wyncoop  ;  and  Capt.  Williams'  independent  company 

*  There  was  less  spirituous  liquor  drank  at  Vera  Cruz  than  at  any  other  town  we 
took  ;  the  soldiers  being  afraid  of  its  effects  in  the  sickly  climate,  and  moreover  being 
particularly  cautioned  to  abstain  from  its  use  by  the  officers,  both  general  and  inferior. 
Even  the  old  soakers  took  but  little  stronger  than  wine ;  claret  was  freely  used. 
37 


579         GEN.  QUITMAN'S   BRIGADE   BRINGING   UP  THE   REAR. 

of  Kentuckians  : — forming  the  brigade  of  Gen.  Pillow,  (the 
remainder  of  our  regiment  being  left  behind,  on  account  of 
our  horses  not  yet  having  arrived) ;  and  the  third  and  fourth 
regiments  Illinois,  under  colonels  Forman  and  Baker ;  and 
the  New  York  regiment,  Col.  Burnett,  composing  the  brigade 
of  Gen.  Shields. 

On  Monday  evening,  the  12th,  (two  days  after  this),  Gen. 
Scott  and  his  staff  left,  with  an  escort  of  dragoons. — On  the 
next  day,  (Tuesday,  the  13th),  the  whole  division  of  Gen. 
Worth,  with  field  artillery,  followed  with  part  of  the  siege 
train  of  heavy  artillery. 

On  the  same  day  that  Gen.  Scott  departed,  the  large  fleet 
of  frigates,  sloops  of  war,  armed  steamers  and  schooners, — 
in  all  sixteen  vessels, — sailed,  as  before  mentioned,  to  attack 
Tuspan. 

On  Sunday,  April  18th,  the  remainder  of  the  forces,  Gen. 
Quitman's  brigade,  marched  for  the  interior,  bringing  up  the 
rear  of  the  army,  and  leaving  as  a  guard  in  the  city  and 
castle  the  first  regiment  regular  infantry  and  two  companies 
Louisiana  volunteers.  Gen.  Quitman's  brigade  was  com- 
posed of  the  Alabama  regiment,  Col.  Coffee,  the  Georgia  re- 
giment, Col.  Jackson,  and  the  South  Carolina  regiment,  Col. 
Butler,  with  four  companies  of  our  regiment  of  cavalry,  Col. 
Thomas,  the  horses  of  the  remaining  companies  not  yet  hav- 
ing fully  arrived. — The  horses  of  our  companies,  which  now 
started,  were  in  fine  condition,  having  been  well  attended  to 
at  Tampico,  and  having  had  a  short  passage  from  thence. 

The  brigade  marched  rapidly,  for  we  had  heard  of  the  po- 
sition of  the  enemy  ahead,  and  wished  to  be  in  the  battle  ; 
but  we  were  too  late,  for  the  battle  was  fought  on  this  day, 
and  our  brigade  had  none  of  the  work,  save  a  little  skirmish- 
ing with  guerrillas  along,  who  had  killed  the  stragglers  of 
the  other  divisions.*  The  mutilated  bodies  we  found  here, 
and  there  on  the  road.  In  these  skirmishes  three  of  our 

*  These  guerrillas  lay  concealed  at  every  bridge,  and  fired  upon  any  small  parties 
of  our  men  that  passed. — Sergeant  Tucker  and  four  men,  of  the  regular  dragoons, 
came  dashing  into  camp  late  in  the  night,  carrying  an  express  of  the  news  of  the  battle 
of  Cerro  Gordo  to  Vera  Cruz.  Hundreds!  of  shots  had  been  fired  at  them ;  they 
were  closely  pursued  to  near  our  sentinels,  and  three  of  the  men  were  bleeding  freely 
from  wounds  received. — We  were  amused  at  one  of  our  men,  A.  G.  McCandlLss, 


ARRIVAL   AT  CERRO  GORDO.  579 

men — Roach,  King  and  Luker,  of  Capt.  Haynes'  company — 
were  slightly  wounded.  We  did  not  arrive  at  Plan  del  Rio, 
near  Cerro  Gordo,  until  the  second  day  after  the  battle. 

We  had  marched  from  the  national  bridge. — The  day  was 
hot  and  the  road  dusty. — As  the  column  neared  Plan  del  Rio, 
and  wound  over  the  hills,  we  came  to  a  burnt  rancho.  Here 
the  dragoons  had  had  the  first  skirmish  with  the  advance 
parties  of  Mexicans  before  the  battle.  Another  mile  brought 
us  to  a  bridge  crossing  a  creek  in  which  were  many  beautiful 
cascades,  and  shortly  after  to  another  bridge,  and  beyond  it 
a  small  plain,  embosomed,  as  it  were,  in  among  crags  and 
mountains. — This  was  Plan  del  Rio,  and  here  we  found  en- 
camped the  second  Tennessee  infantry.  As  we  approached, 
they  came  to  meet  us,  crowding  in  among  our  horses ;  and 
the  advance  was  almost  stopped,  so  eager  were  all  of  us  to 
learn  particulars  from  them. — There  was  inquiry  among  us 
for  this  one,  for  that  one,  &c. 

The  answers  were  various  : — some  were  safe  ;  others  had 
lost  arms  or  legs,  or  had  been  otherwise  wounded,  while  the 
inquiry  for  others  was  answered  by  their  pointing  to  the  long 
rows  of  fresh  graves  by  the  side  of  the  road. — The  enemy 
had  been  completely  defeated,  but  many  brave  men  had 
fallen  in  our  ranks. 

We  visited  the  wounded  after  encampment,  and  then  rode 
to  the  battle-ground,  on  which  we  found  detachments  of  men 
piling  up  muskets,  bringing  off  the  wounded,  burying  the 
dead,  &c.,  over  the  extended  hills.  We  examined  the  ground 
thoroughly,  and  many  unpleasant  scenes  were  presented  be- 
fore us,  of  which  we  will  speak  after  giving  an  account  of 
the  battle. 

The  battle-ground  of  Cerro  Gordo  is  difficult  to  be  descri- 
bed, on  account  of  its  being  but  a  vast  collection  of  massive 
hills,  divided  by  deep  and  precipitous  ravines. — No  view  of 
the  whole  ground  can  be  obtained  from  any  one  place,  save 

who  was  so  anxious  to  have  a  hand-to-hand  conflict  with  these  guerrillas,  that  he  went 
to  Gen.  Quitman  and  begged  to  be  allowed  to  go  back  to  Vera  Cruz  with  their  little 
escort,  thinking  that  they  would  be  fired  upon  again.  On  account  of  the  wounded 
men,  the  general  permitted  him  to  go.  Although  disappointed  previous  to  reaching 
Vera  Cruz,  yet,  in  returning,  near  Jalapa,  he  was  gratified  by  having  a  fight,  and  kill- 
ing a  guerrilla  captain. 


580  BATTLE-GROUND  OF  CERRO  GORDO. 

the  height  of  Cerro  Gordo  itself,  that  rises  nine  hundred  and 
fifty  feet  above  the  river,  which  runs  in  a  deep  ravine  on  its 
southern  side. — The  only  way  in  which  the  author  can  pos- 
sibly present  to  the  mind  of  the  reader  a  correct  idea  of  the 
extraordinary  strength  of  this  place,  and  the  difficulties  that 
our  gallant  troops  had  to  surmount  in  the  attacks  upon  the 
enemy's  strong  works,  is  to  draw  his  attention  to  the  plan 
and  views  combined.  (See  plan,  page  586  ;  view  opposite,  and 
frontispiece). 

In  the  first  place,  imagine  yourself  standing  at  Gen.  Pil- 
low's position,  marked  on  the  plan. — You  are  on  a  high  hill, 
facing  to  the  north-west,  and  you  have  before  you  the  view 
seen  in  the  picture  opposite.  Behind  you  is  a  dense  growth  of 
chapparal.  In  front  of  you  are  the  batteries  of  the  enemy's 
left, — Nos.  1,  2,  3, — running  on  the  tops  of  the  hills,  and  sep- 
arated by  ravines.  These  works  are  of  stone. 

The  space  between  you  and  the  batteries  is  very  rough, 
of  irregular  stones,  overgrown  with  briers ; — the  thorny  mus- 
quit  has  been  cut  down,  and  so  left :  for,  as  the  enemy  ex- 
pected the  main  attack  here,  every  precaution  was  taken  to 
ensure  success  in  defence. — To  the  left  of  the  whole  picture, 
a  little  beyond  the  view,  is  the  edge  or  perpendicular  side  of 
the  principal  ravine — an  awful  chasm,  between  four  and  five 
hundred  feet  in  depth,  and  two-thirds  of  a  mile  in  width. — 
Far  down  in  this  meanders  the  river. — Behind  you  are  rug- 
ged, stony  hills,  covered  with  thick  chapparal,  and  with  tre- 
mendous ravines  between,  rendering  them  impassable.  If 
you  turn  and  look  in  that  direction,  you  can  see  far  down 
over  their  rugged  tops  to  Plan  del  Rio,  and  the  American 
camp  quietly  reposing  in  the  narrow  valley. 

The  national  road,  as  you  also  perceive  by  the  plan,  (page 
586),  leaves  Plan  del  Rio ;  runs  eastwardly,  up  the  side  of 
the  mountain  base ;  then  north,  rising  rapidly  ;  then  west ; 
then  north  again,  until,  down  in  the  valley,  where  Gen. 
Worth's  position  is  marked,  it  comes  within  long  range  of 
the  guns  on  the  right  of  the  fort  before  you.  There  it  winds 
around  the  next  hill,  and  takes  a  north-western  course,  di- 
rectly through  the  "  pass,"  where  you  see  it  is  exposed  in  its 
approach  to  the  guns  of  battery  No.  3,  which  are  high  up 


BATTLE-GROUND  OP  CERRO  GORDO. 

above  it ;  and,  after  it  enters  the  pass,  to  those  of  No.  4, 
which  bear  directly  down  upon  it ;  also  to  those  of  the  height 
of  Cerro  Gordo, — opposite  which,  you  observe  that  battery 
No.  5  entirely  closes  the  road,  and  its  guns  point  directly 
down  the  pass. — From  No.  4  to  No.  5  is  a  continued  breast- 
work on  the  side  of  the  rising  hill,  within  pistol  range  of 
the  pass  below. — Turn  again  to  this  picture  of  the  batteries 
and  you  observe  part  of  No.  3,  on  the  right ;  and,  over  the 
top  of  the  hill  upon  which  that  is  placed,  under  the  letter  X, 
there  placed,  and  looking  down  on  the  road  in  the  pass,  is 
the  position  of  No.  4.  The  hill  of  Cerro  Gordo  you  observe 
rising  above,  in  the  distance.  Observing  the  position  of 
the  battery  No.  4,  on  the  plan,  (page  586),  and  from  this 
picture  described,  in  imagination  proceed  there  in  a  direct 
line, — crossing  the  ravine, — leaving  battery  No.  3  to  your 
right. 

On  arriving  at  No.  4,  you  have  the  picture,  shown  in  the 
frontispiece  before  you,  which  was  also  taken  after  the  battle : 
— the  pass  below  you ;  the  hills  of  Cerro  Gordo  and  Tele- 
grafo,  in  front ;  Cerro  Gordo  being  to  the  left.  Telegrafo  is 
the  hill  on  which  the  fighting  of  the  l?th  took  place;  and 
Cerro  Gordo  rises  high,  the  key  of  the  whole  position.  A 
body  of  our  troops  are  placed  going  through  the  pass,  toward 
the  head,  or  the  farther  extremity,  at  which  is  battery  No.  5, 
ehown  on  the  plan ; — the  guns  of  this  bear  directly  along 
the  pass,  as  above  mentioned. 

Now,  reader,  from  your  last  position  (battery  No.  4)  ima- 
gine yourself  across  the  pass,  and  on  the  summit  of  Cerro 
Gordo,  and  then  you  look  down  on,  and  have  a  direct  view 
of  the  whole  ground,  and,  with  the  aid  of  the  plan  first  men- 
tioned, can  gain  a  clear  idea  of  the  field  of  operations. — In 
the  first  place,  facing  to  the  south-east,  below  you  is  the 
pass,  and  the  hill  beyond  it,  rising  from  battery  No.  5,  and 
continually  ascending,  until  it  ends  at  batteries  No.  1,  2 
and  3.  Still  farther  on,  in  the  same  direction,  you  look  far 
over  the  mountainous  hills,  which  are  between  you  and  Plan 
del  Rio.  To  the  south,  you  see  over  this  hill  of  batteries, 
and  observe  that  on  its  southern  side  it  is  abruptly  termi- 
nated by  the  terrible  chasm  or  ravine  before  mentioned. — 


584          BATTLE-GROUND  OF  CERRO  GORDO. 

Over  the  ravine,  you  observe  but  distant  mountains,  thrown 
together  in  nature's  wildest  style. 

Looking  down  from  your  high  elevation  to  the  west,  you 
observe  the  plain,  bounded  by  the  same  ravine,  which,  at 
battery  No.  5,  comes  nearly  to  the  road  at  the  base  of  the 
mountain,  and  this  road  follows  up  the  bank  of  the  ravine  to 
where  is  marked  Santa  Anna's  headquarters ; — there  the 
road  branches  off,  and  loses  itself  in  other  hills. 

Now  look  to  the  north. — At  the  base  of  the  mountain  is 
another  ravine,  apparently  impassable ; — beyond  that,  the 
rugged  mountains  are  piled  upon  one  another  far  aa  the  eye 
can  reach. 

Now  look  to  the  east,  still  consulting  the  plan.  Below 
you  is  the  hill  of  Telegrafo ; — it  stretches  long  and  high. 
Between  it  and  the  hill  of  batteries  Nos.  1,  2,  3  and  4,  the 
road  runs  up.  Over  this  hill  of  Telegrafo,  surrounded  as  it 
is  by  tremendous  chasms,  your  vision  extends  far  off  to  the 
eastward ; — rugged  hills  succeed  to  others  still  lower,  until, 
thirty  miles  in  the  distance,  you  observe  the  more  level  and 
faint  outlines  of  the  lower  lands  of  the  sea  coast. 

The  view  all  around  you  is  of  the  wildest  of  nature's 
work,  and  you  wonder  at  the  exceeding  strength  of  this 
place.  You  see  that  no  force  can  approach  by  the  south,  for 
the  terrible  ravine  forbids. — You  think  it  utterly  hopeless  to 
endeavor  to  come  around  to  the  north,  for  the  ravines  ap- 
pear impassable. — You  perceive  no  way  to  come,  save  di- 
rectly up  the  road  from  the  south-east  along  the  pass ;  but 
if  that  was  attempted,  you  perceive,  from  the  plan,  that  they 
would  be  exposed  to  a  flank  fire  from  fort  No.  2,  as  they 
crossed  the  valley  below,  and  then  would  be  annihilated  as 
they  came  up  the  pass,  by  the  lofty  batteries.  Nos.  3  and  4, 
and  the  direct  fire  of  No.  5,  added  to  that  of  No.  6,  on  the 
summit  of  the  hill  of  Cerro  Gordo.  You  can  perceive  no 
opportunity  for  a  force  ever  to  be  able  to  come  so  near  aa 
to  attack  any  of  the  works,  save  the  batteries  on  the  extreme 
south, — Nos.  1  and  2, — which  may  be  approached  by  a  diffi- 
cult path  through  the  chapparal  on  the  rocky  hills,  marked 
as  Gen.  Pillow's  route. 

Well,  reader,  so  it  appears,  and  so  Santa  Anna  and  his 


DESERTION  OF  DRAGOON.  595 

officers  thought ;  and  into  that  part  of  the  line,  consequently, 
he  had  placed  the  best  troops  and  strongest  collection  of  ar- 
tillery ;  their  opinion  was  made  certain  by  a  German, — one 
of  our  regular  dragoons, — who,  confident,  from  their  position, 
that  they  must  gain  the  victory,  deserted  from  our  troops  on 
the  night  of  the  17th,  and  passed  over  to  them,  informing 
them  that  they  were  to  be  attacked  on  the  next  morning,  and 
that  the  principal  effort  was  to  be  made  against  those  bat- 
teries,— Nos.  1  and  2.  On  this  information,  Gen.  La  Vega, 
who  commanded  on  the  height  of  Cerro  Gordo,  changed 
places  with  Gen.  Vasquez  in  command  of  the  batteries  on  the 
hill ;  and  every  preparation  was  made  to  receive  the  attack. 
But  this  deserter  was  wrong  in  his  idea :  the  main  assault 
was  not  to  be  made  there,  but  at  the  eminence  of  Cerro  Gordo 
itself,  in  the  face  of  all  the  natural  difficulties  that  surround- 
ed it ;  and  his  tale,  therefore,  and  its  effect  in  change  of  the 
Mexican  movements,  in  strengthening  these  batteries,  and 
waiting  there  for  the  main  attack,  was  in  the  highest  degree 
subservient  to  the  glory  of  the  American  arms :  for  Gen. 
Scott,  although  commanding  an  assault  to  be  made  against 
these  batteries,  yet  had  from  the  first  intended  to  direct  his 
main  movements  to  the  right ;  and  so  confident  was  he  of 
his  plans  securing  the  victory,  notwithstanding  the  immense 
advantage  of  position  and  numerical  force  of  the  enemy  ^ 
added  to  their  overpowering  number  of  artillery,  that  his 
orders  were  only  directed  to  that  end,  and  nothing  is  said  in 
them  of  the  possibility  of  defeat ;  but  the  troops  are  directed 
as  to  the  manner  of  pursuit  of  the  routed  foe.* 

*  OBIT.  SCOTT'S  ORDERS  PREVIOUS  TO  THE  HATTLE  or  CKRHO  GORDO. 

HEADQUARTEBS  OF  THK  AKMT  OF  Tins  UNITED  STATES  OP  AMERICA,  ) 
Plan  del  Rio,  April  17,  1847.         J 

General  Orders,  No.  111. 

The  enemy's  whole  line  of  entrenchments  and  batteries  will  be  attacked  in  front 
and  at  the  same  time  turned,  early  in  the  day  to-morrow,  probably  before  ten  o'clock,' 
A.M. 

The  second  (Twiggs')  division  of  regulars  is  already  advanced  within  easy  turning 
distance  towards  the  enemy's  left.  That  division  has  instructions  to  move  forward 
before  daylight  to-morrow,  and  take  up  position  across  the  National  Road  in  the  en- 
emy's rear,  so  as  to  cut  off  a  retreat  towards  Jalapa.  It  may  be  reinforced  to-day,  if 
unexpectedly  attacked  in  force,  by  regiments — one  or  two  taken  from  Shields'  brigade 


586  GEN.  TWIGGS'   MOVEMENTS. 

Gen.  Twiggs  had  already  opened  a  road  around,  with  in- 
finite labor,  and,  after  a  hard  fight  on  the  17th,  taken  pos- 
session of  the  hill  of  Telegrafo,  driving  off  the  enemy  with 
great  loss  ;  and,  on  this  evening,  he  was  reinforced  by  Gen. 
Shields'  brigade  of  volunteers,  consisting  of  the  third  Illinois 
infantry,  Col.  Foreman,  the  fourth  do.,  Col.  Baker,  and  the 
New  York  regiment,  Col.  Burnett. 

Gen.  Twiggs ?  division  slept  on  their  arms,  on  the  ground 

t.K.N.   SCOTT'S    ORDERS    PREVIOUS    TO  THE    BATTLE    OF    CERRO  GORDO. 

of  volunteers.  If  not,  the  two  volunteer  regiments  will  march  for  that  purpose  at  day- 
light to-morrow  morning,  under  Brig.  Gen.  Shields,  who  will  report  to  Brig.  GCIK 
Twiggs  on  getting  up  with  him,  or  the  general-in-chief,  if  he  be  in  advance. 

The  remaining  regiment  of  that  volunteer  brigade  will  receive  instructions  in  the 
course  of  this  day. 

The  first  division  of  regulars  (Worth's)  will  follow  the  movement  against  the  en- 
emy's left  at  sunrise  to-morrow  morning. 

As  already  arranged,  Brig.  Gen.  Pillow's  brigade  will  march  at  six  o'clock  to-mor- 
row morning  along  the  route  he  has  carefully  reconnoitred,  and  stand  ready  as  soon  as 
he  hears  the  report  of  arms  on  our  right,  or  sooner,  if  circumstances  should  favor  him, 
to  pierce  the  enemy's  line  of  batteries  at  such  point — the  nearer  the  river  the  better — 
as  he  may  select.  Once  in  the  rear  of  that  line,  he  will  turn  to  the  right  or  left,  or 
both,  and  attack  the  batteries  in  reverse,  or  if  abandoned,  he  will  pursue  the  enemy 
with  vigor  until  further  orders. 

Wall's  field  battery  and  the  cavalry  will  be  left  in  reserve  on  the  National  Road, 
a  little  out  of  view  and  range  of  the  enemy's  batteries.  They  will  take  up  that  posi- 
tion at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

The  enemy's  batteries  being  carried  or  abandoned,  all  our  divisions  and  corps  will 
pursue  with  vigor. 

This  pursuit  may  be  continued  many  miles,  until  stopped  by  darkness  or  fortified 
positions,  towards  Jalapa.  Consequently,  the  body  of  the  army  will  not  return  to  this 
encampment,  but  be  followed  to-morrow  afternoon,  or  early  the  next  morning,  by  the 
baggage  trains  of  the  several  corps.  For  this  purpose,  the  feebler  officers  and  men  of 
each  corps  will  be  left  to  guard  its  camp  and  effects,  and  to  load  up  the  latter  in  the 
wagons  of  the  corps.  A  commander  of  the  present  encampment  will  be  designated 
in  the  course  of  this  day. 

As  soon  as  it  shall  be  known  that  the  enemy's  works  have  been  carried,  or  that 
the  general  pursuit  has  been  commenced,  one  wagon  for  each  regiment,  and  one  for 
the  cavalry,  will  follow  the  movement,  to  receive,  under  the  directions  of  medical  offi- 
cers, the  wounded  and  disabled,  who  will  be  brought  back  to  this  place  for  treatment  in 
general  hospital. 

The  Surgeon  General  will  organise  this  important  service,  and  designate  that  hos- 
pital, as  well  as  the  medical  officers  to  be  left  at  it. 

Every  man  who  marches  out  to  attack  or  pursue  the  enemy,  will  take  the  usual  al- 
lowance of  ammunition,  and  subsistence  for  at  least  two  days. 

By  command  of  Major  General  SCOTT  : 

H.  L.  SCOTT,  A.  A.  A.  General. 


-'•;  «~ 

u  ' 


POSITION  OF  MEXICAN  TROOPS.  589 

they  had  so  gallantly  won.*  In  the  night,  three  pieces  of 
artillery,  twenty- four  pounders,  two  of  them  howitzers,  un- 
der the  command  of  Capt.  Steptoe,  and  the  other  under  that 
of  Lieut.  Seymour,  were  dragged  up  the  new  road  opened 
by  Gen.  Twiggs  (marked  on  the  plan  opposite),  with  incredi- 
ble labor,  by  the  regulars,  the  Illinoisans,  and  the  New  York 
regiment,  and  on  the  summit  of  Telegrafo  placed  in  position. 
This  battery  commenced  the  action  of  the  18th,  at  seven 
o'clock  A.  M.,  by  a  heavy  upward  fire  upon  the  enemy's  bat- 
tery, on  the  adjacent  height  of  Cerro  Gordo. 

We  will  now  speak  of  the  disposition  of  the  Mexican  troops 
at  this  moment,  and  the  arrangements  made  for  receiving  the 
attack. — In  the  fort,  at  the  top  of  the  hill  of  Cerro  Gordo, 
were  six  pieces  of  artillery,  and  near  three  thousand  men, 
under  Gen.  Vasquez ;  Gen.  Santa  Anna  and  Gen.  Ampudia 
were  there,  also,  during  the  commencement  of  the  fight,  but 
cleared  themselves  quickly  afterward. — At  the  foot  of  Cerro 
Gordo,  and  near  the  battery  No.  5,  were  about  two  thousand 
men  and  five  cannon.  On  the  hill  of  the  batteries  Nos.  1, 

2,  3,  and  4,  were  about  four  thousand  men,  and  twenty-four 
pieces  of  artillery — five  in  No.  1,  eight  in  No.  2,  eight  in  No. 

3,  and  three  in  No.  4.     These  were  under  the  commands  of 
Gen.  La  Vega  and  Gen.  Pinson.     The  fact  of  there  being 
artillery  in  Nos.  1  and  2  was  unknown  to  our  attacking  force, 
the  pieces  being  masked  by  brush,  like  that 'which  lay  cut 
down  and  dry  before  them,  and  there  having  been  no  oppor- 
tunity of  making  a  correct  reconnoissance  of  the  position. 

*   TWIGBs'  ACTION    ON    THE    1?TH. 

The  forces  of  Gen.  Twiggs  engaged  in  the  battle  of  the  17th,  the  object  of  which 
was  to  gain  possession  of  Telegrafo,  were  under  the  immediate  command  of  Col. 
Harney ; — were  composed  of  the  regular  rifle  regiment,  Major  Loring,  first  artillery, 
Col.  Childs,  and  one  company  of  the  seventh  regular  infantry,  under  Lieut.  Gardner, 
with  the  mountain  howitzer  and  rocket  company,  under  Capt.  Talcott,  and  was  a 
spirited  battle,  in  which  Col.  Harney  and  his  command  conducted  themselves  with 
great  gallantry  and  success;  driving  the  numerous  bodies  of  the  enemy  from  the  hill 
of  Telegrafo,  and  repulsing  three  heavy  charges  that  they  made  with  a  heavy  force 
from  Cerro  Gordo,  to  regain  possession.  While  this  action  was  going  on,  Gen.  Santa 
Anna  was  on  the  height  of  Cerro  Gordo  above,  and  the  action  was  thus  fought  beneath, 
his  eye,  and  directed,  on  the  part  of  the  Mexicans,  by  his  orders.  By  referring  to  the 
frontispiece,  the  reader  has  a  full  view  of  Telegrafo,  and  the  hollow  between  that  and 
Cerro  Gordo,  which,  as  well  as  the  hill,  was  the  scene  of  the  severe  fighting  of  this  day. 


590  BATTLE  OF  CERRO  GORDO. 

At  Santa  Anna's  headquarters,  were  a  body  of  infantry  and 
artillery,  with  six  cannon,  and  four  thousand  lancers,  under 
Gen.  Canalizo  ;  making  in  all  about  thirteen  thousand  men, 
with  forty-two  pieces  of  cannon. 

The  battle  now  commenced  with  the  utmost  spirit.  Gen. 
Twiggs'  three  brigades — Col.  Riley's,  Col.  Harney's  (Gen. 
P.  F.  Smith,  the  commander,  being  sick),  and  Gen.  Shields' 
volunteers — were  already  on  the  ground  ; — Gen.  Pillow's 
brigade — composed  of  the  1st  and  2d  Tennessee  regiments, 
under  colonels  Campbell  and  Ilaskell,  1st  and  2d  Pennsyl- 
vania do.,  under  colonels  Roberts  and  Wyncoop,  the  inde- 
pendent company  of  Kentuckians,  Capt.  Williams,  and  one 
company  of  the  Tennessee  cavalry,  Capt.  Gas  well — was  on 
the  route  from  camp,  at  Plan  del  Rio,  but  having  three  miles 
to  march  round,  before  it  could  reach  the  enemy's  left  bat- 
teries, was  not  able  to  arrive  at  these  until  after  the  general 
commencement  of  the  fight  at  Cerro  Gordo,  on  the  other  ex- 
tremity, although  the  gallant  brigade  was  making  every  ex- 
ertion to  get  there.  The  firing  commenced  sooner  than  had 
been  anticipated. 

Col.  Harney's  brigade  of  the  1st  artillery,  Col.  Childs,  3d 
infantry,  Cap,t.  Alexander,  7th  infantry,  Lieut.  Col.  Plymp- 
ton,  and  the  rifle  regiment,  Major  Loring,  descended  from 
Telegrafo,  into  the  valley  (seen  in  the  frontispiece)  between  that 
and  Cerro  Gordo,  and  then  rapidly  charged  up  the  sides  of 
the  steep  mountain,  upon  the  fort,  exposed  to  the  fire  from 
above,  and  partly  to  that  of  the  three  pieces,  seen  in  the 
foreground,  which  fired  with  fatal  effect  across  to  the  moun- 
tain. 

While  these  were  attacking  the  hill,  the  2d  brigade,  under 
Col.  Riley,  passed  to  the  right,  around  the  base  of  Cerro 
Gordo,  and  engaged  the  enemy  at  and  near  its  base.  At  the 
same  time,  the  volunteer  brigade,  under  Gen.  Shields,  also 
passing  under  the  base  of  Cerro  Gordo.  and  crossing  a  ravine, 
moved  up  on  its  right  bank,  and,  to  the  perfect  astonishment 
of  Santa  Anna,  vigorously  attacked  his  headquarters,  which 
were  protected  by  the  battery  of  six  cannon,  and  supported 
by  Gen.  Canalizo's  body  of  lancers. 

While  these  three  brigades  were  thus  moving,  the  enemy, 


BATTLE  OF  CERRO  GORDO.  591 

perceiving  the  movements,  apparently  became  alarmed,  lest 
the  main  attack  should  be  in  that  direction,  instead  of  on 
the  other  extremity  ;  and  a  heavy  body  of  near  two  thousand 
infantry  were  put  in  motion,  to  proceed  across  and  strengthen 
the  post  of  Cerro  Gordo.  But  at  that  moment  the  heavy 
firing  upon  their  left  announced  the  attack  of  Gen.  Pillow, 
and  this  body  were  immediately  recalled  to  the  resistance 
of  what  they  supposed  to  be  the  main  attack  of  the  Ameri- 
can army.*  Harney's  brigade,  after  sharp  fighting  and  heavy 
loss,  entered  the  breast-works  on  top  of  Cerro  Gordo,  from 
opposite  points,  and,  finishing  the  work  with  the  bayonet, 
drove  the  enemy  down  the  hill,  where  Col.  Riley's  brigade 
was  already  routing  the  force  there  stationed. — Gen.  Shields' 
Illinoisans,t  with  the  New  York  regiment,  charged  upon  the 
battery  at  Santa  Anna's  headquarters,  and  upon  the  lancers 
beyond,  in  a  most  gallant  manner,  that  drew  upon  them 
the  admiration  of  the  whole  army,  and  the  highest  com- 
pliments from  the  generals.  Their  brave  and  accomplished 
leader,  Gen.  Shields,  fell,  shot  through  the  breast;  and  Col 
Baker,  of  the  4th  Illinois,  assumed  the  command.  The  bat- 
tery was  taken,  and  the  lancers  routed ;  Santa  Anna  barely 
escaping,  by  a  rapid  flight ;  and  the  rout  of  all  the  forces  of 
the  enemy  became  complete,  save  that  upon  the  hill  of  the 
batteries  Nos.  1,  2,  3  and  4.  These  surrendered  prisoners  of 
•war. — The  remainder,  that  fled  towards  Jalapa,  were  pur- 
sued by  Gen.  Twigga,  with  two  sections  of  artillery,  the  reg- 
ular dragoons,  captains  Hardee  and  Blake,  under  Major  Beal, 

*  Never,  in  any  battle,  have  been  a  superior  and  excellently  fortified  force  more  com- 
pletely out-generaled,  and  more  decisively  and  promptly  defeated  in  consequence,  than 
were  the  Mexicans  in  their  almost  impregnable  position  at  Cerro  Gordo.  Strong  as 
was  the  main  hill,  they  relied  too  much  upon  it.  The  very  opinion  of  the  Mexicans, 
that  their  left  was  the  only  place  that  could  be  assailed,  and  the  formidable  preparations 
there  made  for  the  reception  of  the  Americans,  and  their  confidence  of  being  able  to 
repulse  them,  proved  their  ruin  ;  for  although  they  were  thus  enabled  to  repulse  Gen. 
Pillow,  yet  the  attention  and  force  to  do  this,  thus  withdrawn  from  Cerro  Cordo  and 
their  right,  lost  them  those  positions,  before  the  sweeping,  resistless  charges  of  CoL 
Harney,  Col.  Riley,  and  Gen.  Shields ;  and  their  batteries  on  the  left  were  then  un- 
tenable, being  completely  commanded  by  Cerro  Gordo. 

f  As  the  1st  and  2d  Illinoisans  distinguished  themselves  at  Buena  Vista,  under 
Gen.  Taylor,  so  did  the  3d  and  4th,  of  the  same  State,  gain  equal  honors  at  thai 
action,  -under  Gen.  Scott. 


592  ATTACK   BY  GEN.  PILLOW'S   BRIGADE. 

and  the  Illinoisans  and  New  Yorkers.  A  scene  of  slaughter 
and  capture  extended  for  miles ;  the  routed  forces  escaping 
in  the  chapparal,  wherever  they  could,  throwing  away  their 
arms  in  their  flight. 

But  we  are  getting  ahead  of  our  account.  We  left  Gen. 
Pillow's  brigade  arriving  before  the  enemy's  left  batteries. 
Not  ready— but  the  firing  having  already  become  heavy  at 
Cerro  Gordo,  that  general,  too  hasty  in  the  movement,  in- 
stantly ordered  the  2d  Tennessee,  accompanied  by  Capt.  Wil- 
liams' Kentucky  company,  to  charge  upon  battery  No.  2,  to  be 
supported  by  the  1st  Pennsylvania;  and  the  enemy  opened 
with  artillery  into  the  chapparal  in  which  the  arriving  troops 
were  forming,  killing  and  wounding  some,  and,  of  the  latter, 
the  general  himself,  as  he  was  riding  over  to  the  other  col- 
umn, the  2d  Pennsylvania,  supported  by  the  1st  Tennessee, 
which  was  to  attack  battery  No.  1. — The  2d  Tennessee  had 
dashed  ahead,  towards  its  object.  A  short  distance  brought 
them  out  into  the  open  space,  of  which  the  covering  chap- 
paral had  been  cut  down,  and  now,  for  the  first  time,  all  saw 
the  position  of  the  works  here ;  (for,  as  said  before,  it  had 
not  been  possible  to  closely  observe  them  previously,  on  ac- 
count of  the  strong  Mexican  pickets,  in  the  chapparal,  which 
completely  prevented  the  approach,  sufficiently  near,  of  a  re- 
connoitering  party).  Before  them,  for  two  hundred  yards,  the 
chapparal  trees  lay  over  the  ground  in  every  direction.  The 
large  rocks  beneath  lay  piled  on  each  other,  covered  with  a 
coarse  grass,  which  grew  up  between,  and  concealed  their 
ragged,  irregular  crevices.  In  front,  at  battery  No.  2,  eight 
pieces  of  artillery  were  loaded  to  the  muzzles  with  canister, 
and  eighteen  hundred  infantry  were  ranged  behind  them. 
To  the  right,  in  battery  No.  3,  five  pieces  of  artillery,  within 
musket  shot,  loaded  with  canister,  and  supported  by  in- 
fantry, were  ready  to  fire  crosswise ;  on  the  left,  in  battery 
No.  4,  were  three  pieces,  in  the  same  manner,  to  cross-fire  in 
the  other  direction,  supported  in  the  same  manner.  Thus 
had  they  here  prepared  to  receive  the  main  attack  of  the 
American  army. — As  the  column  emerged  from  the  chap- 
paral, the  glance  around  them  upon  the  obstructions  of  the 
ground,  and  the  terrible  preparations  to  receive  them,  did  not 


CHARGE  OF  SECOND   TENNESSEE  REGIMENT.  593 

daunt,  in  the  least  degree,  the  courage  or  the  enthusiasm  of 
this  noble  regiment  of  Tennesseeans,  and  the  equally  gallant 
company  of  Kentuckians ; — delivering  their  fire  at  the  ser- 
ried, protected  ranks  before  them,  they  ans\vered  the  clear 
strains  of  the  Mexican  bugles  with  a  wild  shout  of  defiance, 
and  over  the  rocks,  brush  and  fallen  trees,  as  rapidly  as  they 

could  get,  they  dashed  firmly  forward  with  the  bayonet. 

The  Mexican  artillery  in  front  opened  upon  them ;  the  bat- 
tery on  the  right  swept  them  with  grape,  and  that  on  the  left 
crossed  its  showers  of  canister  through  their  ranks,  while 
the  deadly  fire  of  two  thousand  muskets  poured  upon  them. 
The  air  was  filled  with  the  storm  of  iron,  copper,  and  lead  ; 
the  trees  and  brash  flew  in  splinters,  the  rocks  were  shattered 
on  every  surface  ;  and  the  gallant  command,  pressing  nearly 
to  the  forts,  fell  like  leaves  before  the  whirlwind.  Their 
heroic  colonel,  Haskell,  maddened  in  seeing  his  men  thus 
falling  around  him,  and  that  the  consummation  of  the  assault 
with  his  force  was  absolutely  impossible, — his  lieutenant- 
colonel,  major,  adjutant,  and  most  of  his  company  officers 
having  fallen,  with  his  cap  torn  from  his  head  by  a  grape- 
shot,  his  hair  streaming  wildly  in  the  wind,  loudly  ordered 
his  men  to  fall  back  until  supported.  This  was  done  ;  and 
then  the  whole  brigade  put  in  columns,  to  attack  Nos.  1  and 
2  simultaneously.  But  now  it  was  unnecessary — the  ob- 
ject had  been  gained.*  For  the  heavy  Mexican  column,  that 
had  been  proceeding  to  the  assistance  of  the  force  on  the 
height  of  Cerro  Gordo,  was  stopped  in  its  course,  and  turned 
back  with  all  speed,  by  the  firing  at  the  left ;  and  before  they 
could  return,  Cerro  Gordo,  the  key  to  the  whole  position,  had 
been  taken ;  the  forces  there  entirely  routed,  and,  immedi- 
ately after,  those  in  the  batteries  displayed  a  white  flag  for 
surrender,  and  the  battle  was  over. 

The  rout  was  complete. — Not  a  thing  was  saved  by  the 
flying  enemy ;  all  order  was  lost,  and  every  one  escaped  in 
the  best  way  he  could. — There  fell  into  the  hands  of  our 

*  The  reader  has  only  to  look  at  the  view  of  these  batteries,  (page -580)  and  in 
imagination  to  fill  up  the  fortifications  with  the  crowded  ranks  of  the  enemy,  to  b« 
able  fully  to  appreciate  the  daring  valor  and  unflinching  bravery  of  this  2d  Tennessee 
regiment,  with  its  accompanying  band  of  Kentuckians. 
38 


594  FRUITS   OF  VICTORY. 

victorious  army  forty- two  pieces  of  cannon,  (most  of  them 
brass),  many  wagons  and  pack  mules,  four  thousand  prison 
ers,*  six  or  eight  thousand  stand  of  arms  (not  numbered), 
five  generals, — Pinson,  Jarero,  La  Vega,  Noriega,  and  Obando ; 
(another,  Gen.  Vasquez,  was  killed  on  Cerro  Gordo,  fighting 
to  the  last) ;  many  colonels,  lieutenant-colonels,  and  other 
officers  (two  hundred  and  fifteen  in  all) ;  most  abundant  sup- 
plies of  excellent  powder ;  cannon  and  musket  cartridges ; 
cannon-balls,  grape-shot  and  canister,  of  copper,  iron,  and 
lead  ;  Santa  Anna's  traveling  carriage,  and  his  effects,  inclu- 
ding sixteen  thousand  dollars,  in  silver — a  good  part  of  which 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  victorious  Illinoisans  and  others ; 
and,  in  fact,  everything  that  the  enemy  possessed. 

Santa  Anna  escaped  to  the  town  of  Orizaba,  on  the  foot 
of  the  mountain  of  the  same  name.  The  Mexican  army  dis- 
persed in  every  direction,  and  the  largest  body  was  pursued 
sixteen  miles,  to  Santa  Anna's  hacienda  at  Encerro,f  and 
many  were  cut  down. 

The  hopes  of  the  Mexicans  were,  for  the  time,  wholly  de- 
stroyed ;  and,  as  the  fruits  of  victory,  the  fine  city  of  Jalapa 

*  About  one  thousand  of  these  escaped,  for  the  want  of  a  full  escort  in  the  chap- 
paral-lined  road,  between  the  battle-field  and  Plan  del  Rio,  whither  they  were  con- 
ducted. The  remainder  were  released  on  parole,  given  by  their  officers,  that  they 
should  not  again  bear  arms  against  the  United  States  during  the  present  war. 

•j-  At  Encerro,  a  few  miles  from  Jalapa,  the  pursuing  column  of  Illiuoisans,  of  both 
regiments,  of  the  New  York  regiment,  and  of  regular  dragoons,  directed  by  Gen. 
Twiggs  in  person,  was  halted  by  Maj.  Gen.  Patterson,  on  account  of  the  extreme 
fatigue  of  the  men  and  horses, — many  of  the  latter  dropping  dead,  from  over-exertion ; 
— the  miserable  fugitives  left  of  the  Mexican  army  were  unnoticed  farther. — On  this 
route,  Gen.  Ampudia  and  his  staff  were  nearly  caught :  for,  hemmed  in  by  a  wall,  they 
could  not  escape,  and  they  took  the  bold  movement  of  advancing  directly  towards 
Gen.  Patterson  and  his  staff,  who  supposed  that  they  were  coming  up  to  surrender 
themselves ;  but  the  wily  Mexicans  had  no  such  idea :  by  this  movement  they  came 
to  a  lower  part  of  the  wall,  and  Ampudia  leaped  his  splendid  gray  horse,  which  he 
calls  "  Gen.  Taylor,"  over  it,  followed  by  the  rest,  like  a  Sock  of  sheep,  and  away 
they  went.  The  dragoon  horses  were  too  much  fatigued  to  pursue  them,  and  Gen. 
Patterson  was  disappointed  in  capturing  his  supposed  prize. 

This  gallant  general  had  been,  during  the  day,  and  for  several  days  before,  quite 
sick, — enough  so  to  be  confined  to  his  bed  ;  but,  on  the  approach  of  the  battle,  could 
not  be  kept  in  by  the  surgeons,  but  joined  Gen.  Scott  at  the  base  of  Cerro  Gordo 
during  the  battle ;  and  was  in  the  whole  of  the  subsequent  pursuit.  Gen.  Smith 
was  sick,  so  that  he  could  not  get  out,  and  therefore  Col.  Haraey  had  command  of 
his  brigade. 


SURRENDER  OF  JALAPA,  PEROTE,  AND  PUEBLA.      595 

yielded,  on  the  next  day,  to  the  conquerors  ;  and,  in  two  days 
more,  the  strong  castle  of  Perote,  second  only  to  San  Juan  de 
Ulloa,  followed, — having  within  it  fifty-six  cannon  and  seven 
mortars,  and  an  abundance  of  small  arms  ;  and  in  a  few  days 
the  splendid  city  of  Puebla  surrendered,  upon  the  advance 
of  Gen.  Worth,  and  was  taken  possession  of  by  that  officer, 
and  the  road  to  the  city  of  Mexico  was  open.* 

Such  was  the  battle  of  Cerro  Gordo,|  which,  although  ad- 

*  In  less  than  two  months  after  Gen.  Scott  had  landed  at  Vera  Cruz,  he  had  taken 
nine  thousand  prisoners,  and  among  them  ten  generals ;  three  large  cities ;  two  fa- 
mous fortresses ;  five  hundred  pieces  of  cannon,  over  ten  thousand  stand  of  arms,  and 
an  immense  quantity  of  materiel  of  war;  had  routed  and  dispersed  the  Mexican 
armies,  and  driven  their  great  general,  a  fugitive,  into  the  mountains  for  safety. 

•j-  KILLED    A.TSD    WOUNDED,  FIRST    BRIGADE    OF    TOLTTNTKEBS. 

For  the  list  of  Tennesseeans  and  Kentuckians,  the  author  is  indebted  to  the  polite- 
ness of  the  acting  adjutant  of  the  second  Tennessee  regiment. 

FIRST  BRIGADE  OF  TOLUNTERS. — WOUNDED. 

!    Brig.  Gen.  G.  J.  Pillow,  slightly. 

.SECOND  TENNESSEE  REGIMENT,  COL.  WM.  HASKELL. 

Wounded — Lieut.  Col.  David  Cummings,  Major  Farquarharson,  Adj.  Wiler  P.  Hale,  (since 
dead). 

Company  A,  Capt.  W.  G.  McCotcan. — Killed — Private  Samuel  Floyd.  Wounded — Sergeant 
And.  Carson,  privates  II.  Mowry,  Peter  Wheeler,  Aaron  Dockery,  Aaron  Capps,  S.  G. 
Williams. 

Company  B,  Capt.  Henry  F.  Murray. —  Wounded— Captain  H.  F.  Murray  ;  privates  J  Kent, 
(since  dead),  Moreau  Brewer,  Benj.  F.  Bibb. 

Company  C,  Lieut  W.  G.  MeAdoo. — Killed — Private  Wm.  England,  Geo.  W.  Keeny. — 
Wounded— Sergeants  T.  R.  Bradley  and  E.  H.  MeAdoo;  privates  Wm.  Bennet,  Isaac  N. 
Graham,  Lewis  L.  Jones,  Sam'l  Davis. 

Company  D,  Lieut.  F.  B.  Nelson. — Killed — 1st  Lieut.  F.  B.  Nelson  ;  private  Chas.  Sampson. 
Wounded— Josiah  Prescott,  Benj.  O'Haver,  Chas.  Ross. 

Company  E,  1st  Lieut.  W.  B.  Davis— Killed— 2A  Lieut.  C.  G.  Gill,  Serg't  H.  L.  Bynum,  pri- 
vates R.  L.  Bohannon,  John  J.  Gunter.  Wounded — Privates  John  Gregory,  A.  Gregory,  E.  G. 
Robinson,  B.  Plunkelt.  John  P.  Isler. 

Company  F,  2d  Lieut.  A.  P.  Greene.— Killed— Sergei  F.  Willis ;  privates  W.  O.  Striblin,  Eph. 
Price,  Thos.  driffin,  Rob'1  Keirnan.  Wounded — Serg't  George  A.  Smith.(mortally);  private* 
L.  W.  Fussell,  Alonzo  White,  John  Burrus,  Christopher  Johnson,  James  Whitlington,  Thos. 
H.  Boyd. 

Company  G,  Capt.  W.  J.  Standifer. —  Wounded — Serg't  John  Cowan  ;  private  James  Allison. 

Company  H,  Capt.  John  D.  Lowry.— Killed — Serg't  W.F.  Brown.  Wounded — let  Lieut. 
Wm.  Yearwood,  (since  dead),  2d  Lieut.  Jas  Forest;  privates  James  Woods,  John  D.  Armon, 
George  Sherman,  (since  dead),  a  free  colored  boy,  who  persisted  in  going  into  the  action. 

Independent  company  Kentuckians,  from  Clark  county,  Capt.  John  S.  William*,  attached  to  2d 

Tenn.) Killed — Corporal  W.  F.  Elkin ;  privates  W.  Durham,  Alfred  Hatton.  Wounded — 2d 

Lieut.  George  S.  Southerland,  serg't  A.  T.  Mocabee  ;  privates  W.  W.  Keith,  Henry  Williams, 
Minor  T.  Smith,  Ira  Storm,  Henry  Brewner,  Joseph  J.  Langston,  Wm.  Bruce,Willis  F.  Martin, 
James  Muir,  William  Chism. 

FIRST  TENNESSEE,  COL,.  CAMPBELL. 

Killed Private  S.  W.  Lauderdale.  Wounded — Captain  Maulding,  Adj.  Heiman,  Adj.  cor- 
poral Johnson  ;  privates  S.  G.  Steamers.  M.  Burns,  W.  F.  McCrory.  S.  W.  Garnette. 

FIRST  PENNSYLVANIA,  COL.  ROBERTS. 

Wounded — Privates  J.  Lindhurt,  David  Lindsay,  Albert  Cudney,  J.  R.  Davis,  C.  F.  Keyset, 
John  Sheleen,  G.  Button.  A.  Lovier,  D.  W.  C.  Kitchen,  D.  K.  Morrison. 


596  MERIT  OF  THE  BATTLE. 

mired,  has  not  received  its  merited  degree  of  praise;  for  the 
position  of  the  enemy  ;  his  greatly  superior  force  ;  his  vast 
supplies  ;  the  excellent  generalship  displayed  in  the  attack  : 
the  complete  and  sudden  overthrow  and  defeat ;  the  disper- 
sion of  his  army ;  the  vast  materiel  captured,  and  the  con- 
sequences of  the  victory,  render  it  one  of  the  most  brilliant 

KILLED     AND    WOUNDED. 
SECOND   PKXNSYLVAjnA,  COL.  WYNKOOP. 

Wounded — Corporal  John  Smith :  privates  A.  Roland,  J.  Shultz.  John  Chambers,  Jacob 
Simons,  Ed.  Cruse,  Jacob  Miller,  D.  M.  Davidson,  Wm.  Wilhelm,  F.  Soraers,  James  Shaw, 
Thos.  Hann,  Josiah  Horn. 

SECOND   EEiaADS  YOLTXTKERS. 

Woundtd — Brig.  Gen.  Shields,  severely. 

THIRD  ILLINOIS,  COL.  FORMA!*. 

Kitted — Private  Benjamin  Merrill.  Wounded — Sergt  Allen,  corporal  J.  F.  Thompson ;  pri- 
vates Andrew  Browning,  T.  W.  Haley,  John  Roe,  Levi  Card,  H.  Dimond,  S.  White,  A.  Mc- 
Collum,  S.  C.  B.  Ellis,  G.  Hammond,  T.  Harlow.  S.  Bullock,  J.  Mellburn,  John  Maulding. 

FOURTH  ILLINOIS,  COL.  BAKF.E. 

Killed — 1st  Lieut.  George  M.  Cowardin.  corporal  H.  H.  Miller,  private  Joseph  Newman. — 
Wounded — Lieutenants  Richard  Murphy,  Charles  Maltby,  And.  Forman ;  sergeants  J  D. 
Sanders,  J.  M.  Handsby,  James  B.  Anderson,  Uriah  Davenport :  corporals  Thomas  Hissey. 
G.  W.  Nelson ;  privates  James  A.  Banel,  James  Depen,  John  Walker,  Wm.  E.  Lee.  James 
Mahon.  John  Arahood,  Laban  Chambers,  George  Carver,  E.  Rice,  James  Shephard,  David 
Hoffman,  Robert  Jackson, Leroy  Thornley,  Thomas  Tcnnery,  John  Price,  Joseph  Tharp,  Ii- 
win  Becker.  J.  J.  D.  Todd,  Charles  Lanning,  Frederick  Brancher,  S.  Browne,  Wm.  Morris 

The  first  and  second  lieutenants  of  company  F,  Scott  and  Johnson,  and  eleven  others  in  that 
company  are  also  known  to  have  been  killed  or  wounded  ;  but  the  names  the  author  has  not 
been  able  to  procure. 

FIRST   NEW  TORK.  COL.  BURNETT. 

Wounded — Capt.  Pearson;  privates  E.  Cook,  R.  Hedrick,  John,  Sliver,  Henry  Heveraa 
Christopher  Newman. 

FIRST    BRIGADE    HEUULARS,   COL.    HARXET. 
MOUNTED   RIFLEMEN,   MAJOR  StTMNKR. 

Killed — Serg't  James  Harlison,  Corporal  Danley  Ware ;  privates  Thomas  J.  Pointer,  Benp 
McGee,  Conrad  Ktmtz,  Charles  Wills,  Wm.  Cooper,  George  Collins,  Wm.  McDonald. 

Wounded — Major  E.  V.  Summer,  commanding  regiment,  Capt.  Stephen  T.  Mason,  first  lieu- 
tenant Thomas  Ewell,  (since  dead),  second  lieutenant  Thomas  Davis,  second  lieutenant  G. 
McLean,  brevet  second  lieutenant  Dabney  H.  Maury.  brevet  second  lieutenant  Alfred  Gibbs; 
sergeants  Jeremiah  Beck.  Thomas  Sloan,  Carter  L.  Vigus,  H.  Louis  Brown,  Charles  H.  W. 
Boln :  corporals  Thomas  Williams,  Ferdinand  Littlebrand,  Wm.  R.  Leachman,  Thos.  Goslin, 
Lewis  P.  Arnold  ;  privates  John  McCormick,  W.  W.  Miller,  John  McCauley,  T.  J.  Hester, 

D.  Hesling,  R.  Ross.  S.  N.  Bitner,  W.  F.  Ford,  E.  N.  Brown,  John  Sampson,  W.  W.  Breedon, 

E.  Allen,  A.  Evans,  W.  Bntterfield,  J.  Meyers,  D.  Carpenter,  G.  W.  Gillespie,  John  Raney, 
J.  Windle.  H.  Zimmerman,  James  McGowan,  W.  A.  Miller,  C.  Jones,  W.  J.  Scrivener,  Jas. 
A.  Adams,  George  Stempson,  Datid  Bear,  W.  Hammersly,  Samuel  Oilman,  John  W.  Robin- 
son, Justus  Freemaux.  Adam  Ryan,  J.  Hooker,  L.  Hooker.  John  Walker,  H.  Hill,  W.  Hig- 
gine,  W.  Forbes,  Ira  White,  George  Tucker,  C.  A.  Alburn,  H.  Bell,  W.  H.  Preston,  W.  Sche- 
der,  J.  Lipp,  J.  Vorle,  J.  Spencer,  T.  Conway,  A.  L.  Ogg,  C.  Bruner,  F.  Workman,  Hiram 
Melvine,  M.  Lang,  D.  Ferguson,  C.  Foster,  G.  Bacurine,  G.  Brydong,  S.  Ranison,  J  Schra- 
man,  T.  Moll,  N.  J.  Campbell. 

FIRST  ARTILLERY,  COL.  CIIILDS. 

Killed — Sergeant  Caldwell  Armstrong;  privates  Patrick  Casey.  Daniel  Doty,  Amant  Han- 
man,  Charles  Skinner,  Josuph  Wood.  Francis  Perrod,  Michael  Dailey,  Griffin  Budd,  Samuel 
M.  Roberts,  Hugh  Croley.— 11. 

Wounded — Sergeants  J.  M.  Holden,  (mortally),  John  Haymes,  John  Teahan ;  privates  John, 
Bandorf,  Adam  Kock,  R.  M.  Huntington,  Michael  Griffin,  James  Welsh,  Thomas  Sullivan, 


LOSS  OF  EITHER  ARMY.  597 

actions  of  the  Mexican  war.  The  least  estimate  made  by 
the  Mexican  officers,  of  their  loss  in  killed  and  wounded, 
was  about  one  thousand  ;  but  from  the  number  of  dead,  and 
the  wounded  which  fell  into  our  hands,  it  was  afterwards 
universally  conceded  that  it  could  not  have  been  less  than 
one  thousand  five  hundred.  The  loss  of  the  Americans,  as 
seen  below,  was  four  hundred  and  twenty-five. 

KILLED    AND    WOUNDED. 

Sergeant  S.  F.  Simpson,  privates  John  Gorraley,  Thomas  Matheron,  Wm.  B.  Williams ;  cor- 
poral Ferdinand  Littleward ;  artificer  Hiram  Melvin  ;  privates  Marinus  Lang,  David  Fergu- 
son, Charles  Forster,  Gollert  Barnrule,  George  Bridung,  Konradt  Fisher,  Stephen  Rineson,  Ju- 
lius Schramm,  Frederick  Molte,  Nathaniel  J.Campbell;  corporal  Thomas  Williams;  pri- 
vates Patrick  Anthony,  Samuel  Downey,  Anthony  Bracklin,  Mathew  Enganberg,  George 
Hamblin,  Michael  Harley,  James  Keegan,  Orrin  Lawton,  John  Rooney.  John  A.  Sloane, 
Wm.  II.  Webber,  John  Wooley,  James  Burnett,  Thomas  Lynes,  Andrew  Wright,  Patrick 
Kane,  Sergeant  Thomas  Geff. — 13. 

SEVENTH  INFANTRY,  LIEUT.  COL.  PLYMPTON. 

Killed — Sergeant  Robert  Wright ;  corporal  Edmund  Toley ;  privates  Wm.  Myers,  Lewi* 
Bolie,  J.  M.  Derby,  John  M.  Seaton,  John  Lynch,  Francis  O'Neill,  Isaac  Dolcn. 

Wounded — 1st  Lieut.  N.  T.  J.  Dana;  sergeants  John  Heynes,  John  Teahan,  James  M.  Hoi- 
den,  II.  J.  Manson,  Samuel  Cline,  R  S.  Cross,  Jonathan  Marsh,  James  Ecles,  John  Brayman ; 
corporals  Nicholas  Bradley,  John  Carter,  Patrick  Duneghar,  James  Garrard,  John  Jones; 
privates  Anthony  Bracklin,  Samuel  Downey,  Matthew  Eugan,  George  Hamlin,  Michael  Har- 
ly,  James  Keigan,  Orrin  Lawton,  John  Rooney,  J.  A.  Sloane,  W.  H.  Webber,  John  Wooley, 
James  Burnet,  Thomas  Myres,  Andrew  Wright,  John  Bandorf,  Adam  Kock,  Patrick  Kane, 
R.  R.  Huntington,  N.  Griflin,  James  Welsh,  Thomas  Sullivan,  Jacob  Halpin,  D.  McCrystaI,E. 
Lyons,  E.  Peters,  C.  Elliott,  James  Godfrey,  C.  S.  Hassner,  William  Longwell,  I.  Gilleze, 
C.  Johnson,  James  Joice,  J.  Lee,  John  McMahon,  T.  O'Callaghan,  W.  Robinson,  John  Smith, 
George  Wakeford,  C.  Bierwith,  John  Keelan,  John  Burnes,  Niell  Donelly,  P.  Henley,  D. 
Downs,  John  Trunks,  S.  Ratcliff,  P.  Mahoney.  John  Davidson,  Michael  Dwyer,  James  Flinn, 

M.  Ryan,  Walter  Roob,  D.  Reed.  Peter  M.  Calee, Thompson,  A.  Hansford,  Jame»  Har- 

mer,  Wrn.  Sprague,  D.  Whipple,  Daniel  McCrae,  Joseph  Brewer.  K.  Fisher. 

SECOND  BRIGADE,  COL.  KILET. — SECOND   INFANTRY. 

Killed — Serg't  Michael  Christal ;  privates  James  Olsen,  John  Schenck.  Andrew  Devine, 
Wm.  Turner. 

Wounded — Capt.  George  W.  Patten ;  Lieut.  C.  E.  Jarvis ;  sergeants  Francis  Doud,  Alpheus 
Russell ;  privates  Wm.  Pollock,  D.  Hogan,  Patrick  Sheridan,  Jacob  Carr,  George  W.  Derry, 
James  Harper,  Morris  Welsh,  Henry  Yuill,  Lyman  Hodgden,  Timothy  Byrne,  Jas.  McCul- 
Jough,  Richard  Crangle. 

THIRD   INFANTRT,CAPT.  ALEXANDER. 

Wounded — Lieuts.  J.  N.  Ward,  B.  E.  Bee  ;  sergH  George  Reed ;  corporal  David  Kerr ;  pri- 
vates Henry  Carleton,  George  Dunn,  R.  Toulden,  R.  Vickers,  Nicholas  Tyans,  J.  D.  Lore, 
J.  B.  Richardson,  Wm.  Keaner.  C.  Smith,  J.  Matten,  Silas  Chappel,  A.  Marsh,  Joseph  Gal  lion, 
A.  E.  Marsh,  John  McConville,  Stephen  Garble.  P.  Levy,  S.  Corey. 

APPEARANCE    OF  THE    GROUND    AFTER   THE    BATTLE. 

Now,  reader,  having  given  an  account  of  the  glorious  action  of  Cerro  Gordo,  as  it  may  bo 
interesting  to  many,  we  will  speak,  in  this  note,  of  the  appearance  of  the  battle-ground  after  • 
•ward,  as  it  appeared  to  us  of  the  four  companies  of  cavalry,  who  had  come  up  with  Gen 
Quitman's  brigade.  We  remained  there  for  a  few  days,  to  assist  the  2d  Tennessee  regi 
ment,  who  had  been  left,  with  one  company  of  regulars,  to  guard  the  hospitals  of  wounded, 
and  to  spike  the  cannon,  burn  the  muskets,  blow  up  the  magazines,  and,  as  much  as  possible, 
to  destroy  all  the  immense  materiel  of  war,  which,  with  so  much  labor  and  expense,  had  been 
collected  at  this  stronghold  by  Santa  Anna,  in  the  vain  hope  of  entirely  defeating  us,  and 
which  materiel  was  now  not  wanted  by  our  army. 

Quitman's  brigade  passed  on.  and  joined  the  main  army  at  Jalapa,  and  we  commenced  our 


598  BLOWING  UP  MAGAZINES. 

The  labor  of  blowing  up  the  magazines  and  destroying  the 
muskets  was  hard,  and  we  were  all  rejoiced,  when,  after 
three  days,  we  were  ordered  to  leave  for  Jalapa ;  for  the 
dead  men  and  horses  now  had  become  most  offensive,  and  a 
sickening  air  seemed  to  rest  over  the  hills  and  field  of  car- 
nage. We  had  lost,  while  here,  Adjutant  Reese  Porter,  an 

APPEARANCE    OF   THE    cuoir.NU    AFTER    THE    BATTLE. 

laborious  task.  Having,  in  our  work,  for  three  days,  to  traverse,  again  and  again,  all  parts  of 
the  ground,  we  became  more  familiar  with  every  position,  than  any  other  portion  of  the  army 
had  the  opportunity  to  be ;  and  the  more  we  walked  over  its  strong  positions,  the  more  we 
•were  struck  with  admiration  of  the  glorious  results  of  the  battle.  A  battle-ground,  after  the 
fight,  especially  when  such  a  rout  as  this  has  taken  place,  presents  a  melancholy  appearance. 

We  will  give  a  short  sketch  of  the  scenes  around,  commencing  at  Plan  del  Rio.  The  hos- 
pital here  presented  a  painful  spectacle ;  all  the  little  cane  buildings  on  the  side  of  the  road  were 
filled  with  wounded,  who  ware  ranged  along  on  blankets,  stretched  upon  the  bare,  hard  earth. 
Their  situation  was  uncomfortable ;  the  pain  they  were  suffering  was  dreadful.  They  lay  in 
their  ordinary  clothing,  which,  in  many  instances,  was  stiff  with  blood. — Some  had  been  shot 
through  the  body,  and  lay  groaning  in  pain ;  others,  being  struck  by  cannon  balls,  had  lost  their 
arms  or  legs ;  some  were  shot  in  the  head,  neck,  or  sides ;  in  every  possible  manner  were  they 
wounded. — Some  apparently  suffered  but  little,  and  lay  quietly,  without  a  word  ;  others,  una- 
ble to  move,  were  in  good  spirits,  and  freely  conversed  upon  the  battle,  and  their  part  in  it. 
Walking  around,  were  many  who  had  been  slightly  wounded  ;  several  with  'he  stump  of  an 
arm  tied  up  in  a  bandage  ;  some  were  shot  in  two  or  three  places. — One  young  man  was 
shot  by  a  canister  ball,  through  the  thigh,  and  another  ball  had  wounded  him,  at  tho  same 
instant,  m  the  left  side,  while  another  had  taken  the  cap  from  his  head. — The  groans  of  many 
were  heart-rending. — One,  who  had  been  hit  near  the  ear,  by  a  canister  ball,  which  had 
ranged  down  into  his  neck,  and  lay  deep  against  the  back  bone, — so  deep  that  it  could  not  be 
extricated, — every  few  moments  was  delirious  with  pain ;  he  groaned  and  rolled  in  intense 
agony,  and  in  no  position  could  he  be  relieved ;  he  turned  upon  his  side,  his  back,  or,  rising 
on  his  hands  and  knees,  would  press  his  fevered  forehead  against  the  earth ;  most  ear- 
nestly and  piteously  did  he  continually  beg  of  the  attendants  to  be  killed — it  was  his  only 
prayer ; — death,  that  night,  came  to  his  relief. — Near  him,  another  young  man,  clotted  with 
gore,  from  a  terrible  wound  on  his  head,  by  grape  shot,  was  sinking  under  its  effects  ;  he  lay 
quietly,  and  murmured  sometimes  incoherently,  and  sometimes  plainly,  of  scenes  at  home; 
called  upon  his  mother  and  his  sisters,  in  terms  of  endearing  affection,  and  was,  in  imagina- 
tion, at  the  place  of  his  childhood  again ;  but  never  would  he  be  there  in  reality, — for,  before 
he  had  been  brought  from  the  battle-field,  the  flies  had  clustered  upon  his  wound,  and  the  worms 
•were  already  working  within,  beyond  the  reach  of  the  surgeon  to  remove.  His  was  a  horri- 
ble death. — Another  lay  near,  whose  jaw  was  shattered,  tongue  torn  out,  part  of  his  neck  gone, 
and  his  power  of  speech  departed ;  but  still  he  lived ;  and  the  quick,  restless  movements  of  hi* 
eyes,  showed  that  he  was  fully  aware  of  his  terrible  situation. — The  sceue  in  all  the  houses  was 
the  same ;  men,  wounded  in  every  way,  all  suffering,  all  bloody ;  some  improving,  some  shriek- 
ing with  pain,  some  dying,  and  some  dead ;  while  the  new  burial  ground,  near,  was  receiving 
continually,  the  victims.  Here,  too,  were  some  Mexican  soldiers,  severely  wounded. — After 
gazing  at  these  painful  scenes,  the  author  with  a  companion,  saddled  their  horses,  and  pro- 
ceeded up  the  road,  to  the  nearest  batteries  on  the  hills,  those  that  had  been  attacked  by  Pil- 
low's brigade,  and  entered  No.  2. — The  dead  and  wounded  had  from  here  been  taken  down  ; 
the  blood,  where  so  many  had  yielded  up  their  lives,  was  caked  upon  the  ground,  and  the 
rocks  were  smeared  with  it. — Inside  the  batteries,  the  cannon,  which  had  been  employed  in 
the  work  of  death,  still  looked  grim  and  threateningly  ;  piles  of  shot  were  by  them  ;  tin  caa- 
tsters,  containing  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  balls  each,  were  ready  to  be  forced  down  their 
muzzles  ;  the  spongers  and  rammers  lay  as  they  were  left ; —  great  quantities  of  ammuni 
tion  were  in  the  magazines,  near  by. 

We  crossed  to  No.  3.  The  same  scenes  of  abandoned  cannon,  piles  of  shot,  and  cases  of 
powder,  were  here ;  but  with  them,  too,  were  great  numbers  of  muskets.  From  No.  4,  to  tho 
road  at  5,  the  way  was  strewed  with  muskets,  bayonets,  cartridge-boxes,  belts,  and  scabbards, 


APPEARANCE  OF   BATTLE-GROUND.  599 

officer  who  had  gained  the  good  will  of  the  whole  regiment. 
He  died  at  Plan  del  Rio,  directly  after  our  arrival. — One  of 
Capt.  Newman's  men,  while  out  on  a  foraging  party,  had  ac- 
cidentally shot  himself,  and  was  brought  in  dead. — One  of 
Capt.  Caswell's  men,  J.  L.  Robertson,  on  a  foraging  party, 
had  been  killed,  in  a  fight  with  some  lancers,  a  few  days 

APPEARANCE    OF    THE    GROUND    AFTER    THB    BATTLE. 

and,  in  many  places,  the  ground  was  literally  covered  with  loose  cartridges.  Here,  at  this  bat- 
tery, No.  5,  were  four  old  Spanish  cannon,  richly  carved  ;  and  with  them  one  new  one,  that  had 
recently  been  cast  at  the  city  of  Mexico, with  its  name  in  large  letters  upon  U,  "EL  TERROR 
Di  tosNoRTE  AMERICANOS,"  ("  the  terror  of  the  North  American*");  but  not  much  terror  hod  it 
inspired  in  our  troops.  A  great  quantity  of  arms  and  ammunition  lay  around  here,  trampled 
under  foot. — We  passed  up  the  steep  height  of  Cerro  Gordo. — Soldiers,  with  litters,  were  still 
bringing  down  the  wounded ;  and  their  groans,  as  we  passed,  were  distressing.  Ou  th»  summit, 
•were  the  blackened  cannon,  the  marks  of  the  deadly  conflict,  and  blood  in  abundance  ;  around 
the  hill,  and  all  up  its  side  towards  Telegrafo,  and  on  the  north,  the  corpses  lay  thickly,  as 
they  fell,  their  guns  in  their  hands,  or  by  them.  In  one  place  were  fifteen,  almost  in  a  pile  ; 
•ome  stabbed  with  bayonets,  some  shot  in  the  head,  some  through  the  heart ; — one  had  fallen 
by  a  ball  through  his  brain,  as  he  was  holding  his  gun  in  his  led  hand,  and  biting  off  the  end  of 
a.  cartridge  held  in  his  right;  although  dead  his  face  had  a  stern  expression  of  defiance,  and  hi* 
left  hand  yet  grasped  his  gun,  and  the  cartridge  was  still  in  the  fingers  of  the  right. — Another  had 
fallen  on  his  face  so  violently,  that  his  cartridge-box  was  thrown  over  his  shoulder ;  his  gun  was 
•till  in  his  hand,  the  hammer  of  the  lock  was  drawn  back,  and,  on  opening  the  pan,  we  found 
it  loaded.  We  turned  him  over,  to  see  where  he  had  been  hit,  to  be  killed  so  suddenly ;  a 
large  hole  between  his  eyes,  showed  the  passage  of  the  fatal  ball. — On  opening  the  camidge- 
boxes  of  the  dead  that  lay  on  their  faces,  we  saw  that  they  had  yet  plenty  of  powder  and 
ball.  Here  five  lay  almost  over  each  other,  as  they  had  fallen,  in  defending  the  same  spot; 
the  life-blood  of  the  upper  ones,  had  saturated  the  clothing  of  the  lower.  Some  had  died 
apparently  in  much  agony  ;  for  their  countenances  were  awfully  distorted,  and  their  bodies 
were  drawn  up  and  stiffened  in  convulsive  movements. — Some,  lower  down  the  hill,  had  evi- 
dently crawled  some  distance,  as  shown  by  the  trail  of  clotted  blood  behind  them,  before  they 
died.  Many  had  their  heads  blown  open ;  while  the  entrails  of  others  were  out ;  and  one  pre- 
sented a  horrible  appearance,  having  crawled  twenty  yards  or  more,  in  that  terrible  situation ; 
several  had  died  -with  their  hands  covering  their  faces. — One,  in  this  way,  was  leaning  back 
against  a  rock,  and  appeared  as  if  alive,  among  the  corpses  stretched  out  around  him.  Some, 
down  in  the  valley,  appeared  to  have  been  shouting  as  they  were  killed,  or  else  uttering  their 
cries  of  mortal  agony ;  for  their  mouths  were  opened  to  their  utmost.  In  almost  every  in- 
stance where  balls  had  passed  through  the  vitals,  the  hands  were  pressed  upon  the  wounds. 
One  muscular  body  lay  with  the  arms  and  legs  stretched  widely  out,  but  without  a  head; 
the  bloody  stump  was  terribly  lacerated.  One  had  his  stomach  entirely  torn  away,  by  a 
cannon  shot.— So,  horribly  mangled,  they  lay  thickly  to  one  another,  as  they  fell.— The  dead 
bodies  of  the  Americans  had  been  selected  out,  and  buried.— Hundreds  of  buzzards  and  vul- 
tures sailed  around,  but  appeared  not  to  touch  these  Mexican  dead ;  at  least,  we  did  not  see 
in  the  multitude  any  that  appeared  to  have  been  torn  by  them. 

Descending  the  hill,  towards  the  scene  of  Col.  Riley's  and  Gen.  Shields'  attack,  the  same 
sights  were  before  our  eyes,  until  we  were  sick  of  the  spectacle. — Hearing  a  groan  in  the 
bushes,  close  by  a  number  of  dead,  we  looked  in,  and  saw  a  lancer,  lying  stretched  out 
bloody,  an\  unable  to  move;  his  escopeta  lay  by  him;  he  held  up  his  hands  and  cried  pite- 
ously  for  agua  (pron.  ah-wah),  water.  We  had  none  to  give  him ;  but  determined  to  see 
that  the  poor  fellow  should  be  attended  to.— At  the  scene  of  Shields'  and  Baker's  attack,  the 
dead  had  been  buried,  and  the  wounded  taken  in.— The  dead  horses  of  Canalizo's  lancers,  shot 
in  the  furious  attack  of  the  Illinoisans,  covered  a  large  space  of  ground;— some  of  the 
mules  of  the  ammunition  wagons  were  dead  in  their  harness;  a  universal  scene  of  destruc- 
tion was  all  around. — There  was  a  rancho  of  several  cane  houses  here,  and  they  were  now 
occupied  as  hospitals.  Entering  those  on  the  left  side  of  the  road,  we  looked  at  the  number* 
of  Mexican  wounded,  thickly  covering  the  floor*  of  the  houses ;  attended  by  fine-looking 


600  MARCH  TOWARDS  JALAPA. 

before.  There  were  so  many  deaths  now,  every  day,  fro»a 
violence  and  sickness,  that  the  author  found  himself  unable 
to  keep  an  account  of  those  even  in  his  own  regiment. 

It  was  a  bright  morning  when,  to  the  cheering  sound  of 
our  bugles,  we  saddled  up,  formed  our  lines,  and  leaving  the 
scenes  at  Plan  del  Rio,  commenced  ascending  the  long 
slopes,  winding  round  and  up  the  rugged  hills.  The  road 
was  excellent,  and  we  traveled  fast ;  stopping  at  battery  No. 
5  a  short  time,  again  we  looked  down  into  the  terrible  ravine 
below,  on  the  south.  It  was  a  grand  sight  to  gaze  below,  as 
the  winding  river  ran  through  the  vale ;  but  so  awful  the 
depth,  that  few,  from  giddiness,  could  bear  to  look  a  moment 
down. — We  marched  over  the  burnt  and  blackened  ruins 
of  Santa  Anna's  headquarters  ;  then  by  the  hospitals,  where 
Americans  and  Mexicans — friends  and  foes — were  together 
suffering,  and  still  dying ;  then  passed  through  the  scene  of 
the  slaughter  of  Canalizo's  lancers  ;  then  on  up  the  long 
paved  road,  that  ascended  the  mountain's  elevation.  Mile 
after  mile,  we  continued  so  to  ascend,  while  the  air  began 
perceptibly  to  change.  Sixteen  miles  brought  us  to  the  lovely 
valley  of  Encerro,  with  its  sparkling  river,  dashing  over  the 
rocks ;  crossed  by  the  road  on  a  stone  bridge,  of  construction 
equal  to  those  before  mentioned.  Here  the  sight  of  dead 
horses  and  fresh  graves,  by  the  side  of  the  road,  which  had 
met  our  eyes  all  along,  from  Cerro  Gordo,  ceased ;  for  at  this 
place  that  terrible  slaughter  ended. 

Encerro  was  a  beautiful  section ;  green  pastures  took  the 
place  of  sterile  hills,  and  clear  water  was  abundant. — Just 
before  arriving  at  the  bridge,  we  crossed  a  little  ditch  which 
had  been  made  by  the  Mexican  army  for  the  whole  distance 
to  Cerro  Gordo,  in  order  to  convey  a  stream  of  water  into 

APPEARANCE    OF    TUB     GROUND    AFTER    THE     BATTLE. 

Mexican  surgeons  ; — many  Mexican  soldiers  in  attendance.  On  the  other  side,  the  buildings 
were  used  for  the  American  wounded.  The  scenes  in  these  large  and  crowded  hospitals 
•were  equally  painful  as  those  at  Plan  del  Rio. 

We  entered  the  Mexican  hospital  first,  and  informed  the  officer  in  charge,  of  the  wounded 
lancer,  and  were  promised  that  he  should  be  attended  to.  After  looking  at  the  scenes  of  pain 
and  distress  crowded  around,  till  our  hearts  •were  sick  •with  the  sight  of  so  much  misery  and 
suffering,  we  retraced  our  steps ; — turned  out  again  from  the  road,  to  hunt  up  the  lancer  among 
the  dead.  On  coming  to  the  place,  -we  found  with  him  a  Mexican  soldier,  who  had  been  sent 
to  his  assistance — carrying  to  him  a  large  bottle  of  water  and  a  double  handful  of  raw  corn ! 
•which  the  poor  fellow  was  munching  with  great  eagerness.  He  was  soon  after  conveyed  to 
the  hospital ;  and  we  returned  to  Plan  del  Rio. 


SANTA  ANNA'S   HACIENDA  AT  ENCERRO.  601 

their  camp ;  and  this  ditch,  winding  around,  encircling 
the  hills,  carried  the  waters  rapidly.  At  this  spot  in  its 
course  it  completely  deceived  the  eye ;  and  there  was  not 
one  man  in  a  hundred,  of  the  troops  that  passed  over  it,  to 
whom  it  did  not  have  the  appearance  of  water  running  up 
hill.  Some  declared  that  it  did  so,  the  illusion  was  so  com- 
plete. Neither  could  that  be  corrected  by  a  renewed  look ; 
for,  judging  by  the  eye  alone,  the  more  we  gazed  at  the 
ground,  the  more  perfect  was  the  deception,  caused  by  the 
ditch  winding  around  the  brow  of  the  green  eminence. 

During  the  halt  of  an  hour,  near  the  bridge,  in  this  de- 
lightful, sunny  valley  of  Encerro,  some  of  us  went  up  to 
Santa  Anna's  hacienda,  which  was  about  half  a  mile  off,  on 
a  long,  verdant  hill,  to  the  left  of  the  road  ;  commanding,  in 
its  position,  a  view  of  the  valley,  the  river,  and  the  rugged 
mountains  beyond,  overlooked  by  the  snowy  peak  of  Orizaba 
— as  beautiful  a  scene  as  could  be  desired. — Entering  the 
lofty  gateways,  we  followed  a  curved,  paved  way  up  to  the 
house  ;  where,  though  at  first  coolly  received  by  the  domes- 
tics in  charge,  yet  were  soon  most  cordially  welcomed,  as 
they  found  by  our  actions  that  we  wished  not  to  disturb,  but 
to  view  the  place.  They  showed  us,  freely,  through  the 
house ;  opened  to  our  observation  the  arched  piazzas,  and 
splendid  rooms  above ;  the  private  office  of  Santa  Anna  be- 
low, with  its  furniture  as  he  had  left  it  a  few  days  before ; 
and  pointed  out  to  us  the  fine  framed  pictures  that  adorned 
the  apartments.  These  were,  a  series  of  Napoleon's  battles  ; 
another,  of  Hannibal's  history ;  a  set  of  hunting  scenes,  as 
acted  in  various  parts  of  the  world ;  and  the  plan  of  a  splen- 
did monument  to  be  erected  in  honor  of  the  Mexican  chief. — 
The  glasses  were  large,  the  carpets  fine,  the  furniture  excel- 
lent, the  pictures  splendid.— In  the  long  gallery,  we  smiled 
as  we  observed  one  of  the  general's  artificial  legs  lying  there, 
booted  finely,  and  excellently  manufactured. 

We  were  shown  his  services  of  China  and  table  ware,  of 
the  best  kind ;  and  every  plate  and  every  cup  had  his  name 
upon  it,  in  ornamental  scrolls.  We  were  conducted  through 
his  pleasure  grounds  ;  observed  the  cascades  of  falling  water, 
in  the  small  river  which  had  been  dammed  up,  and  now  fell 


602  ARRIVAL  AT  JALAPA. 

about  fifteen  feet,  in  a  sheet  on  the  rocks  below,  and  then 
wound  off  in  several  clear  channels,  which  lost  themselves 
among  the  little  islands  of  thick  shrubbery,  among  which  it 
hurried  along  towards  the  valley  below. 

The  stone  stables,  at  some  distance  down  the  slope  of  the 
hill,  were  capacious  enough  to  hold  the  horses  of  a  cavalry 
regiment.  We  could  have  spent  several  hours  in  strolling 
about  the  beautiful  place,  but  the  mellow  sound  of  the  bu- 
gles arose  from  the  valley  ;  and,  on  looking  down,  we  saw 
the  column  forming  for  the  advance.  Mounting  our  horses, 
we  rode  over  the  paved  way  to  the  gates,  then  down  a  long 
slope  to  another  brook,  then  up  to  the  road,  where  we  re- 
mained a  few  moments,  until  the  column  came,  took  our 
places  in  ranks,  and  continued  our  course. — Yet  upwards 
we  rose  ; — the  air  became  more  invigorating,  the  scene  fresh- 
er, the  green  of  the  foliage  deeper. 

Oaks  appeared,  the  first  we  had  seen  for  a  long  time ; — 
•black  jack,  sycamore,  alder  bushes,  of  enormous  size,  and 
many  of  the  plants  of  the  temperate  zone,  to  which  we  were 
Accustomed  at  home,  met  our  eyes.  Maguey  plants,  of  the 
largest  size,  were  closely  growing  among  them.  Ranches 
-became  thickly  scattered  along  the  road  ;  good  houses,  fine 
r.tone  walls  around  the  green  fields,  more  cultivation  of  the 
toil,  and,  in  fact,  the  best  appearance  met  our  eyes,  both  in 
country  and  people,  that  we  had  viewed  in  Mexico.  All  were 
exhilarated  and  delighted  by  the  balmy,  bracing  air  and  de- 
lightful garb  of  nature.  Still  we  were  rising,  and  occasion- 
ally, from  a  height,  could  look  down  on  the  vast  regions  of 
*he  torrid  zone  beneath  us. 

A.  little  before  sunset,  we  came  over  a  verdant  hill,  and 
Before  and  below  us  was  the  beautiful  city  of  Jalapa,  uni- 
versally acknowledged  by  travelers  to  be  one  of  the  most  de- 
lightful places  in  the  world.  The  tall  mountains  rose  above 
it,  green  even  to  the  edge  of  the  dazzling  snow  that  eternally 
covered  the  summit  of  the  loftiest,  Orizaba.  The  city  stood 
in  the  valley,  upon  several  little  hills,  with  its  ancient  spires, 
its  white  stone  buildings  in  its  large  extent,  relieved  by  the 
groves  of  every  sort  of  tree  of  freshest  green,  fragrant  flow- 
ers, and  richest  fruit. — A  fine  clear  stream  coursed  by  it. 


BEAUTY  OF   SCENERY.  603 

We  closed  up  our  ranks,  and  descending,  crossed  the 
bridge,  and  entered  the  clean  paved  streets,  with  wide  side- 
walks and  spacious  houses  of  stone  on  either  side.  The 
tiendaSy  or  stores  were  all  open,  the  people  engaged  at  their 
various  occupations,  the  streets  crowded  with  Americans 
and  Mexicans,  and  business  was  briskly  going  on,  and  all 
were  apparently  friendly.  At  their  iron  barred  windows 
were  many  of  the  ladies,  who  gazed  upon  us  without  fear,* 
and,  to  our  surprise,  we  noticed  them  as  extremely  beautiful. 

The  busy  view  of  life,  activity  and  enjoyment,  immediately 
banished  from  our  minds,  as  it  had  from  those  of  the  rest 
of  the  army  who  were  participating  in  it,  all  thought  of  the 
scenes  of  death,  destruction,  and  suffering,  that  we  had  left 
behind. 

We  marched  through  the  crowded  streets  and  market- 
places up  the  long  slope  of  the  city  beyond,  and  passing 
on  by  the  farther  boundary,  continued  our  course  over  the 
hills,  looking  down  into  valleys  of  beauty  unknown  to  us 
before,  and  in  one  of  these,  on  the  right  of  the  road,  en- 
camped with  the  volunteer  division. 

Saturday,  May  1st,  1847.  We  have  now  been  at  Jalapa 
near  a  week,  and  the  time  has  flown  so  quickly  that  it  seems 
but  a  day ;  for  every  attraction  had  been  presented  to  the 
senses  and  mind.  It  is  the  most  beautiful  spot  that  any  of 
us  ever  saw — the  finest  air  that  ever  we  inhaled. — The  sun 
shines  with  unusual  splendor,  and  there  is  not  that  sickly 
sensation  to  its  heat,  although  great  at  noon-day,  that  is  so 
strongly  felt  in  the  regions  on  the  coast.  It  has  rained  a 
little  every  night,  and  the  beauty  of  the  morning,  as  we  see 
it  from  camp,  is  difficult  to  conceive — much  more  so  to  de- 
scribe. All  nature  is  fresh  and  green,  dressed  in  smiles  ;  the 
lofty  mountains  are  tinted  then  with  rosy  hues ; — clouds  of 
rolling  majesty,  in  brilliant  whiteness,  lay  in  massive,  strong- 
ly defined  volumes,  around  in  the  valleys,  at  their  bases. 

•  After  VeraCruz  had  been  taken,  Gen.  Morales,  who  there  gallantly  commanded  the  Mexi- 
can forces,  passed  through  Jalapa,  and  informed  the  people  that  the  American  army  would  soon 
advance  upon  the  interior,  and  that,  if  Gen.  Santa  Anna,  should  be  defeated  by  Gen.  Scott, 
their  city  would  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans;  and  advised  them,  in  that  case,  not 
to  be  alarmed  for  fear  of  ill  treatment,  but  to  go  on  with  their  regular  business ;— assured  the 
.females  that  in  such  a  case  they  need  apprehend  no  danger  from  the  American  soldiers. 


604  LOFTY  MOUNTAIN  OF  ORIZABA. 

Orizaba,  lifting  high  its  dazzling  top  of  snow,  appears  tu 
be  but  a  few  miles  off,  in  fact  close  at  hand ;  but  forty  miles 
will  hardly  reach  its  base.  Its  head  is  elevated  seventeen 
thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea ; — our  Alleghanies 
and  Blue  Ridge  at  home  would  appear  like  small  eminences, 
when  compared  with  this  majestic  mountain.  On  that  lofty 
summit  no  human  foot  has  disturbed  the  eternal  snows, 
which  have  looked  down,  from  age  to  age,  upon  the  changing 
races  in  the  lovely  and  extensive  valleys  below. 

One  can  have  no  idea  of  the  vastness  of  the  scale  in 
which  mountains,  hills  and  valleys  are  here  thrown  together. 
You  gaze  on  a  beautiful  valley  beneath  you,  on  the  height 
near  the  city.  It  appears  close  under  you ;  for  the  opposite 
mountain,  in  its  grandeur,  covered  with  a  robe  of  verdure,  is 
near  to  you,  apparently ;  but  half  a  dozen  miles  will  hardly 
carry  you  across  to  it.  The  extraordinary  clearness  of  the 
air  assists  in  the  deception.  There  is  no  light  blue  haziness, 
caused  by  vapor  in  that  distance,  as  is  seen  elsewhere,  but 
every  object,  far  and  near,  is  plain  and  distinct. 

Not  only  is  nature  so  attractive  in  her  appearance  of  land- 
scapes in  this  favored  section,  but  she  also  seems  to  have 
poured  out  here,  profusely,  her  richest  gifts  of  grains,  of  fruits, 
and  flowers,  and  every  store  that  can  conduce  to  the  comfort 
of  man.  And  to  that,  she  has  added  health  robust,  and  driven 
away  those  lurking  causes  of  disease  that  infest  other  sec- 
tions, as  intruders  who  have  no  right  to  enter  this,  her  chosen 
paradise. — We  had  heard  before  of  the  beauty  and  richness 
of  this  section,  but  it  excelled  all  our  previous  ideas  ; — not  a 
person  in  the  army  but  was  agreeably  disappointed  in  find- 
ing it  more  beautiful  than  he  anticipated. — Attempts  to  de- 
scribe its  attractions  are  idle ; — to  see  it,  to  enjoy  it,  to 
breathe  the  air,  is  only  to  know  it. 

The  city,  too,  taking  everything  into  consideration,  was  the 
finest  that  we  had  seen  in  Mexico.  We  were  now  where 
we  could  observe  the  true  Mexican  character  and  customs 
more  perfectly  than  before. — We  saw,  in  comparison  to  what 
we  witnessed  in  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande,  just  what  a 
foreign  traveler  would  see  in  the  United  States,  in  New  York, 
Pennsylvania,  or  any  of  the  older  states,  compared  with  the 


SCENES  IN  JALAPA.  605 

frontiers  of  the  west.  The  same  language  was  spoken,  and 
many  of  the  same  customs  were  observed;  yet  one  could 
learn  more  of  Mexicans  and  Mexico  here  in  a  week,  than 
there  in  months.  But  few  pretty  women  had  we  seen  on 
the  frontier,  and  many  soldiers,  whom  the  fortune  of  war  kept 
during  the  campaign  in  northern  Mexico,  now  firmly  believe 
there  are  but  few  in  the  whole  country  ;  yet  it  is  saying  no- 
thing more  than  the  truth  to  observe,  that  the  ladies  of  Ja- 
lapa are,  with  few  exceptions,  beautiful — strikingly  so  ;  and 
their  manners  are  most  agreeable  and  pleasing. 

The  male  population  are,  as  a  body,  superior  to  those  that 
we  had  before  met  with  ;  more  industrious  and  enterprising. 
Several  cotton  and  woolen  factories  are  on  the  streams  about 
the  city,  and  all  the  business  within  it  was  brisk  and  flour- 
ishing.* 

Monday,  May  3d.  Reader,  will  you,  on  this  lovely  morn- 
ing, again  accompany  the  author  into  town,  to  observe  some- 
thing more  of  Mexican  manners  and  customs,  than  yet  you 
are  acquainted  with.  We  will  have  but  little  to  say  of  the 
scenery  to  be  viewed  on  both  sides  of  the  wide,  paved  road 
thither,  of  mountain  and  valley,  and  most  luxuriant  vegeta- 
tion, for  we  have  glanced  at  that  already ;  but  will  hurry 
on  to  the  upper  part  of  town  nearest  to  us,  passing  the 
crowds  of  soldiers  going  in  and  returning  to  the  camp,  the 
numerous  burreros,  with  their  loaded  jacks,  bearing  fodder, 
wood,  charcoal,  fruits,  &c.,  going  in  ;  and,  besides  these,  you 
see  another  class,  that  you  have  not  noticed  before :  the 
lowest  order,  or  pure  descendants  of  the  Indians,  which  are 
yet  distinct  in  this  section.  You  observe  that  these  are 
ragged  and  dirty ;  the  men  have  large  panniers,  or  square 
baskets  of  oranges,  pine-apples,  &c.,  on  their  heads ,  and 

*  We  have  before  spoken  of  the  principle  of  ''  protection  and  remuneration  to  the  Mexi- 
cans." This  was  exemplified  at  Jalapa,  by  forcing  the  volunteer  divisions,  who  were  mostly 
without  tents,  to  camp  out.  and  take  the  cold  rains,  at  night,  (which  were  the  first  that  had 
fallen  upon  them  for  months),  as  they  could,  while  there  was  plenty  of  room  in  the  city  for 
their  shelter.— This  principle  was  carried  to  its  utmost  extent,  and  never  produced  the  slightest 
beneficial  results ;  but.  on  the  contrary,  excited  ridicule  and  contempt  among  them.  For 
instance :  at  Jalapa,  a  Mexican  proprietor,  in  less  than  three  days  after  the  battle  of  Cerro 
Gordo,  presented  a  bill  to  the  quartermaster  for  the  use  of  fifty  of  his  mules,  furnished  to  Santa 
Anna  to  haul  a  twelve  pound  brass  cannon  up  the  height  of  Cerro  Gordo,  which  piece  had 
opened  upon  our  troops  a  perfect  shower  of  grape  and  canister,  killing  many  and  wounding 
more !  Another,  who  had  supported  a  large  body  of  the  Mexican  lancers  for  some  time  pre- 
vious to  the  battle,  called  also,  to  inquire  about  getting  his  pay  for  it! 


606  MARKET-PLACE  OF  JALAPA. 

as  they  stoop  forward,  in  moving  with  their  load,  the  basket 
is  held  to  its  place  by  a  broad  band,  which  passes  around 
their  foreheads.  They  carry  enormous  burdens.  The  squalid 
women  have  each  a  child  lashed  to  their  backs.  There  are 
many  of  these  miserable  looking  creatures  passing. 

We  enter  the  city,  and  are  in  a  crowd,  up  and  down  the 
hilly  streets.  We  will  glance  at  the  meat-market,  in  the 
"Plaza  de  la  Constitucion,"  and  you  will  notice  the  neatness 
of  the  stalls,  and  of  the  whole  establishment,  and  the  way  in 
which  they  cut  their  meat,  into  long  strips,  for  the  purchas- 
ers. But  although  a  very  busy  crowd  are  around,  there  is 
nothing  more  of  interest,  and  we  will  pass  on  down,  peeping 
into  the  iron-barred  windows  of  house  after  house,  to  gaze  at 
the  pretty  senoritas,  who  sit,  with  their  fans  in  hand,  and  rich 
rebosos  over  their  glossy  hair,  and  observe  all  that  passes. 
It  is  no  impoliteness  here  thus  to  notice  them;  in  fact,  you 
will  be  greeted  with  a  smile,  from  as  lovely  lips  as  ever  you 
looked  upon,  for  the  compliment  you  thus  pay  them. — They 
are  beautiful,  indeed. — See  them,  as  they  come  out  of  their 
houses  in  numbers,  to  proceed  to  the  yglesia,  or  church,  to 
hear  mass.  They  walk  finely,  look  neat,  and  their  bright 
black  eyes  sparkle  with  intensity  of  feeling. — Amid  these, 
and  among  the  crowd  of  officers,  soldiers,  citizens,  rancheros, 
burreros,  Indians,  pack  mules,  and  burros,  with  here  and 
there  wagons  of  our  own,  we  force  our  way  down  to  the 
vegetable  market,  near  the  principal  church.  This  market- 
place is  rather  small,  and,  as  you  enter  it,  you  are  aston- 
ished at  the  throng  within,  and  the  immense  quantities  of 
vegetables  and  fruits  arranged  around  on  stands,  or  spread 
on  mats,  to  sell ;  the  piles  are  near  one  another,  as  close 
as  they  can  be  placed  in  rows  ;  and  the  buyers  and  vendors 
are  mingled  together.  Look  around,  a  few  minutes,  and 
think  if  ever  you  have  heard  of  a  vegetable,  or  of  many 
fruits,  that  are  not  here  for  sale.  Here  is  an  anomaly  among 
markets.  This  ranchero  has  brought  in  a  fine  quantity  of 
pine  apples,  tunas,  anonas,  sapotes,  cocoa-nuts,  &c. ;  and  an- 
other, bananas,  plantains,  oranges,  and  lemons,  all  the  pro- 
ducts of  the  torrid  zone ;  while  another  has  brought  black- 
berries, currants,  apples,  peaches,  nectarines,  apricots,  &c.,. 


VARIETY  OF   CLIMATES  NEAR  THE  CITY.  607 

growing  only  in  the  temperate  zone;  and  another  has  fine 
cherries,  plums,  and  other  fruits,  which  grow  only,  in  perfec- 
tion, still  farther  north ;  and  yet  these  different  persons  live 
not  a  half  day's  ride  from  the  city.  The  ranchero,  from  the 
torrid  zone,  meets  with  his  brother,  who  lives  in  the  tem- 
perate, every  week;  and  this  last  performs  regular  trips, 
oftener  than  that,  into  the  frigid;  and  makes  a  business  of 
bringing  the  snow  and  ice  therefrom,  and  selling  it  in  the 
market.  You  can  buy  drinks,  cooled  with  the  snows  and  ice 
of  Orizaba,  at  the  same  stand  where  you  purchase  the  juicy 
fruits  of  the  torrid  zone  ;  and  both  have  been  brought  to  mar- 
ket that  morning. — Many  other  articles  are  here,  besides 
fruits  and  vegetables.  Here  are  stands  of  sweet-meats 
and  confectionery,  of  kinds,  of  the  making  of  which  our 
people  know  nothing ;  thousands  of  trinkets,  of  every  kind, 
are  for  sale ;  calicoes,  silks,  sombreros ;  and,  in  fact,  every 
article  that  a  Mexican  needs,  can  here  be  procured. 

On  one  side  of  the  square,  is  the  parochia,  or  parish  church, 
a  large,  old  building,  most  elaborately  ornamented  within ; 
its  images  and  wealth  had  not  been  disturbed  on  the  ap- 
proach of  our  army.  Many  worshippers  are  kneeling  there, 
on  the  marble  floor,  before  the  Virgin  Mary.  From  this 
church  proceeds  the  "  host,"  or  the  sacramental  bread,  when 
going  to  the  death-bed  of  a  citizen.  And  as  this  ceremony 
is  always  most  imposing,  and  is  the  same  in  all  Catholic 
countries,  a  full  description  of  it  is  given  in  the  note  ;  which, 
as  it  is  minute  and  correct,  will  be  found  interesting.* 

THS    PROCKSSIOW    OF    THE    "  HOST." 

*  Whenever  a  person  is  about  to  die,  it  is  indispensable,  according  to  their  faith,  to  the  repose 
of  his  soul,  that  he  confess  his  sins  to  the  priest,  receive  absolution,  and  partake  of  the  holy 
sacrament;  which  is  commonly  carried  to  him  in  the  twilight  of  evening,  so  that  its  display 
to  the  population  will  be  greater.  The  ceremony  universally  followed  is  this: — One  of  the 
boys  attached  to  the  vestry  sacristia,  or  establishment  of  the  church,  steps  out  in  front  of  the 
parochia,  and  violently  rings  a  large  hand-bell;  thus  announcing  to  all  the  faithful,  that  the 
body  of  Christ  (sacramental  bread),  or  holy  unction  of  the  sacrament,  is  about  to  proceed 
upon  its  mission  to  the  bed  of  the  dying  believer.  At  the  sound  of  the  bell,  there  soon  collect*, 
within  and  at  the  door  of  the  church,  a  large  body  of  persons,  mostly  women,  each  of  whom 
is  supplied  with  a  lighted  wax  candle.  The  parochial  coach  drives  up  before  the  doorway. 
The  officiating  priest,  with  holy  reverence,  takes  the  vase  containing  the  consecrated  wafer, 
from  within  its  resting  place,  in  the  altar  at  the  extremity  of  the  church,  and  bears  it  towards 
the  doorway,  preceded  by  two  boys,  dressed  in  their  church  habiliments — red  and  white  robe* 
One  carries  a  wooden  cross,  about  five  feet  high ;  the  other  swings  a  censer,  in  which  incense 
is  smoking,  diffusing  a  pleasant  odor  around. — At  the  instant  the  "host"  is  thus  lifted  from 
the  altar,  and  borne  towards  the  door,  the  bells  in  the  tower  of  the  church  commence  a  rapid 
ringing,  which  is  kept  up,  without  intermission,  as  long  as  the  procession,  about  to  start,  con- 


608  PROPERTY  OF  THE  MEXICAN   GOVERNMENT. 

On  emerging  from  the  church  into  the  large  square  again, 
we  notice,  opposite,  a  large  building,  with  several  of  our 
regular  soldiers  crowded  around  the  arched  doorway.  This 
is  their  barracks.  The  building  belongs  to  the  government 
of  Mexico,  and  has  been  used  continually  for  military  bar- 
racks. Observe  the  inscription  painted  around  the  arches  : 
"  Cuarto  de  la  Guarda  National"  (quarters  of  the  National 
Guard).  You  must  not  suppose,  however,  though  this  be- 
longs to,  it  was  built  by  the  government :  for  the  gov- 
ernment of  Mexico  never  has  done  the  slightest  thing  to- 

THE    FBOCESSIOK    OF    THE    "  HOST." 

tinues  in  sight  of  the  parochia.  The  vase  of  bread,  or  "  host,"  at  the  door,  is  reverently  placed, 
by  the  priest,  in  the  centre  of  the  coach,  with  a  lighted  taper  by  it ;  the  priest  eaters,  scats 
himself  on  the  back  seat,  and  remains  with  his  head  uncovered  in  its  holy  presence.  The 
boy  with  the  censer  of  incense  enters  before  him,  and  seats  himself  on  the  front  seat.  The 
procession  is  then  formed. — First,  the  boy  with  the  bell,  still  ringing,  advances  about  forty 
yards  in  front;  following  him,  after  an  interval,  the  white  and  red  robed  youth,  with  the 
sacred  cross;  then  a  band  of  music, — clarionettes,  fifes,  bugles,  and  drums, — then  an  escort 
of  soldiers,  if  there  are  any  in  the  town,  with  muskets  shouldered  ;  then  the  parochial  coach, 
with  its  sacred  contents  ;  around  the  coach,  and  in  its  rear,  follow  the  crowd  of  the  faithful, 
with  their  lighted  candles,  every  one  repeating  prayers; — in  this  order  they  proceed  towards 
the  dwelling  of  the  dying. — The  din  of  the  bells  of  the  parochia  ceases,  as  the  procession 
is  lost  to  view  in  the  distant  street ;  but  if  it  comes  in  sight  of  another  church,  the  bells  of 
that  commence,  and  keep  up  the  same  noise,  while  it  is  within  the  view  of  the  ringers. — 
Amid  the  din  of  these  bells,  the  wild  strains  of  the  music,  the  deep  sounds  of  the  drums,  and 
the  confused  chant  of  prayers,  from  the  devout,  candle-bearing  crowd,  whose  numbers  are 
increased  at  every  step,  by  others  with  their  tapers, — the  solemn  procession  moves  slowly 
on. — The  sharp,  well-known  sound  of  the  hand-bell  gives  notice  to  all  of  its  close  approach ; 
— the  inhabitants  of  the  buildings  on  either  side,  grasp  and  light  their  candles,  advance  to 
their  doorways,  windows,  and  even  upon  the  side-walks,  and  instantly  kneel  in  reverential 
awe,  and  so  remain  while  the  holy  train  is  within  their  sight.  By  so  doing,  they  are  taught 
that  they  gain  much  favor  from  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  and  secure  the  forgiveness  of  many 
of  their  smaller  transgressions ,  and  not  only  so,  but  the  law  forces  them  so  to  do ;  and, 
therefore,  every  foreigner,  who  resides  in  a  Mexican  city,  whenever  he  hears  the  bell,  absents 
himself  from  view. — The  lighted  throng  continues  to  increase,  as  the  procession  advances, 
until,  at  its  arrival  at  the  house  of  the  sick,  it  not  unfrequently  numbers  five  hundred  or  moro 
candle-bearers,  of  both  sexes  and  all  ages. — Arrived,  the  priest  with  the  vase  of  holy  bread, 
accompanied  by  the  boy  with  the  censer,  from  the  coach,  proceeds  into  the  house,  leaving 
the  crowd  and  the  escort,  who  continue  to  chant  their  prayers,  without. — A  table  within  has 
been  prepared  for  the  reception  of  the  host,  being  covered  and  adorned  with  pictures  of  the 
Virgin,  Nuestro  Senora  de  Gaudaloupe,  the  peculiar  name  of  the  blessed  Virgin  in  Mexico. — 
The  sacrament  is  administered,  and  the  procession  returns  by  different  streets  from  those  by 
which  it  came,  followed  by  the  still  increasing  crowd ;  and  as  now  it  is  commonly  dark,  it 
makes,  with  the  kneeling  worshippers  at  the  houses,  and  the  innumerable  lights,  a  most  im- 
posing appearance. — When  in  sight  of  the  parochia.  the  bells  of  that  again  commence  their 
rapid  ringing,  and  cease  not,  until  the  vase  of  sacred  bread  is  deposited  within  the  altar.  Tha 
crowd  then  disperse. 

Such  is  the  procession  of  the  host ;  precisely  the  same  in  every  city  and  town  of  Mexico, 
and  at  all  times,  with  only  this  difference  :  that  when,  on  account  of  the  rapid  approach  of 
death,  it  must  be  carried  to  the  sufferer  in  the  day  time,  the  coach  is  not  used ;  the  priest 
walks,  bearing  the  vase,  and  four  men  hold  over  him  a  splendid  satin  canopy. — Respect 
HI  always  shown  to  this  consecrated  bread  in  the  church,  by  raising  the  hat  when  passing 
ine  door.  Every  Mexican  does  this  at  every  church,  whether  he  is  riding  or  walking. 


MEXICAN   SCHOOL  FOR  CHILDREN.  609 

wards  improvement  of  old  national  edifices,  or  building  new 
ones. — It  has  been  occupied  with  revolutions,  and  has  not 
kept  in  repair  the  splendid  works  that  the  Spanish  power 
erected.  It  owns  much  property,  though,  in  every  large 
town; — some  of  the  most  magnificent  buildings  in  the  re- 
public belong  to  it. — The  reason  is  this  : — When  the  order 
of  Jesuit  priests,  which  had  become  wealthy  in  Mexico,  was 
abolished,  and  the  priests  themselves  banished  by  the  old 
Spanish  power,  all  their  property — churches  and  private 
buildings — was  taken  by  the  government  then  existing ;  and, 
after  the  revolution,  the  whole  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Mexi- 
can government,  save  the  cathedrals  and  parochias,  which 
had  been  given  to  the  new  establishment  of  the  church. 

These  numerous  buildings  are  rented  out,  used  as  bar- 
racks, devoted  to  city  purposes,  &c.,  &c. — Same  have  been 
given  to  every  town,  in  charge  of  the  president  of  the  ayun- 
tamiento,  for  the  purpose  of  the  rents  thereof  being  applied 
to  keeping  up  a  public  school  for  children,  where  these  might 
be  instructed  in  reading,  writing,  a  little  arithmetic,  and  in 
all  the  numerous  ceremonies  and  doctrines  of  the  church ; 
which,  in  fact,  is  their  principal  object  of  education. 

Mexican  children  are  always  more  precocious  and  brighter 
than  those  of  our  country  at  the  same  age.  One  is  aston- 
ished at  the  genius  and  talent  exhibited  by  the  boys  at  from 
«ight  to  fourteen  years  of  age  ; — but  at  that  age  they  become 
dull  and  stupid,  and  so  afterward  continue. 

Let  us  look  into  the  school  near  here,  and  you  will  ac- 
knowledge the  truth  of  the  remark,  from  the  very  intelligent 
appearance  of  the  countenances  of  the  children. — It  is  a  per- 
fect Babel  in  sound,  for  every  one  is  studying  his  creed,  the 
history  of  some  saint,  or  his  spelling  book,  at  the  top  of  his 
voice ;  and  such  screaming,  yelling  and  chattering  is  going 
on,  that  you  will  be  glad  to  get  out  of  it  instantly.  The  old 
pedagogue,  who  looks  so  uneasily,  is  rejoiced  to  see  you 
about  to  go,  though  he  makes  many  bows  and  polite  salu- 
tations before  you  leave.  You  will  observe  that  most  of 
his  persuasive  arguments  addressed  to  the  boys  are  with  a 
sort  of  rattan,  which  he  lays  upon  them  in  a  manner  that 
shows  him  equal,  in  that  method  of  education,  to  those  of 
39 


610 


EDUCATION  OF  MEXICAN   YOUTH. 


our  country, — a  method  which  should  have  been  long  since 
abolished  in  our  own  land,  but  may  yet  answer  in  Mexico. 

These  young  ones  can  tell  you  all  about  every  saint  in  the 
calendar,  and  recount  miracles  that  they  have  wrought ;  can 
rattle  over  the  creed  and  Are  Marias,  Padre  Nuestros,  &c.,  &c., 
and  can  inform  you  all  about  the  church  ceremonies ; — can 
tell  you  minutely  how  even  the  longest  one  is  done,  (Corpus 

Christi,*  which  takes  a  week  in  performance) ; — can  write 

— 

*  CORPUS   CHHISTI FUNCIOW    GRANDE     DI    1A    TGLESIA. 

Of  all  the  church  ceremonies  in  Mexico  in  which  the  people  blend  religion,  recreation, 
pomp,  fun  and  folly,  this  festival  of  Corpus  Christi,  of  the  holy  week,  is  the  longest,  most  format 
and  most  imposing,  and  is  strictly  attended  to  in  every  town  of  the  republic,  when  it  yearl7 
comes  round. — At  Vera  Cruz,  this  year,  it  was  neglected  :  for,  at  the  time  it  should  have  com- 
menced, the  surrender  to  our  troops  had  prevented  it.  At  Jalapa,  though,  it  had  been  cele- 
brated with  unusual  pomp ;  for  there  were  Mexican  soldiers  to  lake  part  in  it.  It  comes  on 
immediately  after  Lent,  in  the  latter  part  of  March.  The  ceremony,  as  related  to  the  author 
by  those  who  had  just  acted  it,  and  •who  acted  it  every  year,  is  as  follows: 

Sometime  in  the  week  previous,  the  curate  of  the  parochia,  with  much  ceremony,  goes 
to  the  president  of  the  ayuntamiemo,  and  delivers  to  him  ihe  keys  of  the  church;  thus  ac- 
knowledging the  inferiority  of  the  ecclesiastical  to  the  civil  power.  The  president  immediately 
issues  a  proclamation  to  the  people  of  the  city,  ordering  all  shops  to  be  closed,  all  business  to 
be  suspended,  and  every  animal  and  vehicle  to  be  kept  out  of  the  streets  from  Wednesday 
morning  until  Saturday  noon  of  the  following  week,  under  penalty  of  fine  and  imprisonment ; 
and  enjoining  upon  all  the  inhabitants  the  necessity  of  having  the  streets,  through  which  the 
various  processions  will  pass,  cleanly  swept  and  continually  sprinkled  ;  and  also  of  having 
curtains  hung  before  their  windows  and  doors,  &.c. 

All  the  population  now  commence  preparing  in  earnest  for  the  approaching  festival;  the 
showy  dresses  of  the  wealthy,  and  every  article  of  finery  of  the  lower  class,  is  hunted  up  and 
put  in  order; — in  fact,  these  preparations  commenced  two  or  three  weeks  before  for  the  grand 
celebration — in  which  they  are  to  hunt  up  Jesus  Christ,  who  will  escape  their  hands,  to  be 
again  apprehended  by  the  aid  of  Judas,  who  will  betray  him.  They  will  try.  and  condemn 
him;  will  crucify  him;  raise  him  from  the  dead;  then  exalt  and  worship  him;  and  finally 
will  wreak  their  vengeance  on  Judas  Iscariot. 

On  Monday  morning  the  priests  go,  in  a  body,  to  the  president  of  the  ayuntamiento,  and 
humbly  beg  of  that  officer  the  keys  of  the  parochia,  that  they  may  dispense  the  consolations 
of  the  gospel  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  for  the  ensuing  year.  That  functionary  grants 
their  prayer,  delivers  to  them  the  keys,  and  with  these  they  return,  and  the  closed  parochia  is 
again  opened. — In  the  afternoon  of  this  day,  at  four,  P.  M..  the  first  procession  of  the  festival 
makes  its  appearance  from  the  church,  coming  out  in  a  most  imposing  manner. 

First  advances  a  band  of  music,  followed  by  various  banners  and  crosses  of  the  parochia, 
borne  by  the  church  boys,  d  ressed  as  has  been  mentioned  in  the  procession  of  the  host. — These 
banners  are  commonly  surrounded  by  a  crowd  of  idlers.  Next,  under  a  splendid  silken  canopy, 
supported  by  four  men  at  the  corners,  come  the  body  of  the  priests,  in  their  robes; — these,  in 
a  loud  voice,  chant  prayers  as  they  march,  and  are  answered  in  the  responses  to  these  by  the 
multitude  behind.  Next  comes  a  full  length  figure  of  St  Peter,  borne  on  a  frame  supported 
upon  the  shoulders  of  four  men. — The  saint  has  in  his  hand  a  bunch  of  large  keys  (in  allusion 
Matthew  xvi :  19.)  Following  this  are  many  persons  with  long  lighted  wax  candles,  and  all 
•with  their  heads  uncovered,  Then,  upon  another  such  a  frame,  comes  the  Virgin  Mary,  but 
borne  by  four  richly  dressed  ladies.  Her  right  arm  is  extended,  and  from  her  hand  is  sus- 
pended a  golden  cup.  A  beautiful  radiating  crown  encircles  her  head. — Following  her  are 
many  •women,  each  with  their  lighted  tapers,  and  many  of  the  other  sex  in  the  same  manner. 
— Next,  borne  on  a  like  frame,  is  the  large  image  of  Christ,  with  a  long  flowing  beard,  bearing 
a  heavy  cross,  of  perhaps  ten  feet  in  height,  and  the  timbers  apparently  a  foot  in  diameter ; — 
then  numerous  files  of  persons  again,  with  their  tapers.  Following  along  at  intervals  in  the 


<        FESTIVAL  OF  CORPUS   CHRISTI.  61] 

beautifully;  read,  and  cipher  a  little,  but  cannot  tell  you 
whether  St.  Petersburgh  is  in  Europe,  Asia,  or  New  Holland  ; 
— is  taught  that  Mexico  is  the  most  powerful  nation  on  the 
earth,  and  that  Spain  is  the  next.  Most  of  the  schools  are 
of  the  Lancasterian  order,  and  are  of  but  little  advantage. 
Before  we  leave  the  crowded,  noisy  room  of  bright  look- 

CORPUS    CHRISTI — FU5TCIOX  GRANDE   1>E    LA    TGLESIA. 

dense  procession,  come,  in  the  same  manner,  the  figures  of  St.  Paul,  St.  John,  St.  Matthew, 
and  a  host  of  others.  This  long  procession,  which  is  often  from  a  mile  to  a  mile  and  a  half  in 
extent,  with  all  persons  uncovered,  and  with  so  many  hundreds,  often  thousands,  of  candles, 
makes  a  most  biilliant  display.  From  the  moment  that  the  head  of  the  procession  moves  off 
from  the  parochia,  and  while  it  winds  its  length  through  the  streets  ol'  the  city,  all  the  bell* 
keep  up  a  ceaseless  clatter  until  it  returns  again.  So  ends  the  first  day. 

On  Tuesday,  early  in  the  morning,  in  every  street  may  be  seen  one  or  more  men,  dressed 
peculiarly  with  clothing  of  all  colors :— most  have  white  roundabouts,  striped  with  red  across 
their  backs ;  with  strange  shaped  caps,  something  like  the  old  style  of  dragoon  helmets,  with 
red  sashes,  depending  from  their  topmost  ridges,  hanging  over  their  backs. — These  carry 
in  their  hands  slender  poles  of  cane  from  twelve  to  sixteen  feet  in  length,  haying  a  bunch  of 
red,  white  and  blue  ribbons  streaming  from  the  upper  ends.  These  are  the  Roman  soldiers, 
and  they  are  now  hunting  for  Jesus  Christ.  With  an  anxious,  hurried  and  wild  appearance, 
these  soldiers  run  up  to  every  passer-by,  with  great  eagerness  inquiring,  "Aa  visto  V  Jesu 
Christo!  "  (have  you  seen  Jesus  Christ).  Each  one  thus  addressed,  with  perfect  seriousness 
answers  "  No,"  and  then  away  rushes  the  soldier,  to  ask  another.  This  search  is  continued 
the  whole  day.  but  they  do  not  find  their  object. — In  the  afternoon  the  procession  starts  out 
again,  the  same  in  its  parts  as  on  the  day  before,  save  that  the  figure  of  Christ  is  missing,  and 
the  advance  is  a  body  of  fifty  or  sixty  of  these  Roman  soldiers,  with  their  long  staffs,  who 
are  still  continuing  their  search  for  Jesus  Christ;  many  are  blowing  clearly  on  little  wind 
instruments,  something  like  our  fifes. 

On  Wednesday,  the  next  day,  the  bells  all  cease  their  sounds.  Not  a  horse  or  vehicle  it 
seen  in  the  streets.  Christ  has  been  apprehended  during  the  night,  by  the  treachery  of  Judas, 
and  the  Roman  soldiers  are  seen,  in  high  glee,  to  collect  around  the  doors  of  the  parochia, 
rejoicing  in  the  successful  termination  of  their  search  — In  the  afternoon  the  procession  again 
moves  out,  but  is  materially  changed  in  its  order. — As  before,  first  comes  the  music,  crosses 
and  banners;  then  the  Roman  soldiers,  with  the  ends  of  their  long  poles  trailing  behind  them, 
the  ribbons  flying  in  the  air  before  and  above  them,  vibrating  with  tremulous  motion.  In 
the  midst  again,  as  a  prisoner,  appears  the  image  of  Christ,  with  the  cross.— After  him 
follow  the  priests,  chanting  prayers  and  responses  in  a  loud  and  wild  manner. — Next  is  the 
Virgin  Mary,  in  deep  mourning;  then  Joseph,  and  Mary  Magdalen,  Peter  and  others.  This 
night  the  soldiers  keep  watch  over  Christ;  but  he  escapes  :  is  hunted  and  overtaken  the  next 
morning.  Oil  this  day,  Thursday,  comes  the  full  acting  of  the  scene  of  crucifixion,  in  the 
manner  described  by  the  evangelists. — His  clothes  are  divided  by  lot,  &c.;  and  the  one  who 
kills  Christ  (called  by  the  crowd  the  Christ-killer)  is  borne  around  the  streets  in  triumph. 
When  Jesus  is  thus  crucified,  the  bells  stop  their  former  clanging,  and  are  not  heard  again  for 
two  days — The  body  is  asked  for  and  obtained  by  persons  representing  Joseph,  of  Arimathea, 
and  Nicodemus;  (see  St.  John  xix :  38).  In  the  afternoon  it  is  carried  about  in  the  proces- 
eion  within  a  frame  coffin,  with  glass  sides,  for  all  to  see  and  all  to  worship.  The  remainder 
of  the  procession  is  like  that  of  the  day  before, — the  Virgin  Mary  in  deep  mourning.  The  only 
other  difference  is  in  the  missing  sound  of  the  bells ;  but  that  la  compensated  by  thousands  of 
rattles  (like  those  of  our  watchmen),  which,  in  the  hands  of  boys  and  men,  keep  up  a  cease- 
less clatter,  assisted  by  a  large  clacking  wheel,  in  the  belfry  of  the  church.  To  the  church 
the  body  is  brought,  and  placed  near  the  altar,  and  a  guard  of  two  persons  at  a  time  keep 
watch  over  it  the  remainder  of  the  day  and  following  night, —  on  Friday,  and  Friday  night, — 
until  Saturday.  These  guards  are  regularly  detailed  from  the  best  of  the  population,  and, 
with  lighted  candles  in  their  hands,  stand  their  time  of  thirty  minutes,  when  they  are  relieved 
by  others.  And  thus  ends  Thursday. 


612  FOUNTAINS—  PUBLIC  WASHING-PLACE. 

ing  urchins,  we  will  examine  their  written  copies  •  and  these 
from  the  universally  beautiful  execution,  will  astonish  you  ; 
and  it  is  surprising,  when  compared  with  the  performances 
of  our  youth.  —  Every  Mexican,  that  writes  at  all,  writes  finely; 
some  excelling  even  our  best  writing-masters.  The  immense 
amount  of  their  army  papers  and  reports,  that  we  have  cap- 
tured from  time  to  time,  are  executed  in  a  style  nearly  equal 
to  that  of  copper-plate  printing. 

We  will  leave  them,  and  come  again  into  the  street  ;  and, 
passing  on,  we  will  observe  that  many  of  the  spacious  courts 
within  the  houses  are  provided  with  fountains  and  jets  of 
water,  producing  a  fine  effect.  —  We  observe  a  public  wash- 
ing place,  of  long,  stone  reservoirs,  with  roofs  above  them  ; 


CUB.JSTI  —  FUSCIOST  GRAKDE  UK  LA  TGLESIA. 

On  Friday,  is  an  entirely  changed  scene.  The  churches  are  lit  up  with  the  utmost  splendor  • 
from  five  to  eight  hundred  candles  diffuse  their  light  around  in  each  ;  while  every  decoration  that 
can,  by  the  ingenuity  of  the  inhabitants,  be  placed  within,  is  added  ;  nothing  is  omitted  that  can 
increase  the  splendor.  —  The  people,  dressed  in  their  richest  attire,  go  in  groups,  companies,  or 
families,  from  church  to  church,  repeating  prayers  all  the  while,  as  they  pass  with  heads  un- 
covered. This  they  call  their  pilgrimage  ;  and  every  church  in  the  city  must  be  on  foot  thus 
visited,  in  the  course  of  the  day,  by  every  person,  rich  or  poor.  —  This  brilliant  scene  is  kept 
up  until  twelve  o'clock  at  night. 

The  next  day,  Saturday,  is  called  Sabado  de  Gloria,  Sabbath  of  Glory:  and  at  about  eleven 
o'clock  the  bells,  which  so  long  have  been  silent,  burst  out  from  every  church,  in  one  pcal.thu* 
announcing  that  Jesus  Christ  has  risen  from  the  dead  !  And  now  comes  a  scene.  A  moment 
before,  the  horses  were  standing  saddled  in  the  yards  ;  the  coaches  were  harnessed  ;  the  boys 
were  collected  at  the  corners  of  the  streets  ;  the  Roman  soldiers,  in  their  odd  dress,  were  walk- 
ingin  consequence  about,  having  crucified  Jesus;  and  everything  was  unusually  still.  —  But  at 
the  first  clap  of  the  bells,  rises  through  the  city  a  wild  hurra  and  uproar.  Christ  has  risen.  The 
Roman  soldiers  run  a«  if  for  life,  with  the  rabble  in  pursuit  of  them.  —  In  every  direction  the 
court-yard  gates  open,  and  hundreds  of  horsemen  issue  into  the  street,  and  wildly  gallop  to 
and  fro.  —  The  streets  are  crowded;  the  curtains,  that  hung  at  the  windows  and  doors,  disap- 
pear in  a  twinkling;  all  is  noise,  confusion,  fun,  frolic,  and  mirth  —  for  the  Redeemer  lives  ! 

The  next  day,  Sunday,  gives  the  end  to  \\asfuncion  grande  de  la  Yglefia  (grand  ceremony  of 
the  church),  which  is,  the  vengeance  to  be  taken  by  the  mob  upon  Judas  Iscariot.  who  betrayed 
his  master.  —  The  first  part  of  the  day  is  spent  in  adoration  of  the  risen  Saviour;  and  about 
twelve  o'clock  the  indignation  of  the  people  appears  to  be  aroused  against  the  traitor.  "  Van  a 
quemara  Judas'"  (they  are  about  to  burn  Judas)  is  clamored  in  one  street,  echoed  iu  another, 
and  vociferated  by  the  boys  and  rabble,  everywhere.  Immediately  after  this  a  crowd,  with 
music,  advances  into  the  principal  square,  bearing  aloft,  on  a  pole,  the  full  length  figure  of  the 
traitor,  with  his  right  hand  holding  to  his  hat  on  his  head.  He  nas  been  ingeniously  construct-  • 
ed  by  the  Sacristan,  or  sexton;  and  is  composed  entirely  of  a  mass  of  rockets,  crackers,  and 
other  fireworks,  and  is  commonly  made  a  fac-simile  of  some  foreign  merchant,  who  may  resida 
in  the  place,  and  who  is  a  Protestant  or  heretic.  The  pole  is  planted  in  the  earth  ;  the  tumultu- 
ous crowd  sway  to  and  fro,  in  their  excitement;  highly  elevated  on  the  pole  is  Judas,  awaiting 
his  doom;  the  combustible  string,  that  leads  up  to  him  is  ignited  ;  the  little  flame  runs  up,  and 
the  traitor  immediately  experiences  the  most  awful  torments;  his  hands,  his  body,  and  head 
burst  out  in  numberless  small  explosions  and  flames  ;  he  whirls  round  and  round  on  the  pole  ; 
his  hat  flies  off,  and  with  it  his  arm  extends  itself  with  a  jerk,  and  he  turns  faster  as  the 
flames  are  more  severe:  they  reach  within,  and  a  loud  explosion,  amid  the  shouts  of  the 
delighted  populace,  blows  Judas  to  the  four  winds  of  heaven.  —  And  so  ends  the  grand  cere- 
mony of  the  church,  in  Mexico. 


ORDER  FOR  DISCHARGE  OF  VOLUNTEERS.  613 

washing  benches — one  built  on  either  side,  of  the  same  ma- 
terial ;  and  scores  of  women  are  there  washing. — We  notice 
that  everything  around  us  is  entirely  Mexican  in  appearance. 
But  our  observations  must  close,  for  here  rides  up  an  officer, 
ordering  all  of  us  to  camp,  preparatory  to  another  march,  to 
be  immediately  made  to  Puebla,  on  the  road  to  the  city  of 
Mexico. 

Tuesday,  May  4th.  This  day  Gen.  Scott  countermanded  the 
orders  given  yesterday,  for  a  farther  march  ;  and,  as  the  time 
of  the  twelve  months'  volunteers  was  nearly  expired,  he  had 
suddenly  concluded  to  discharge  them,  and  thus  enable  them 
to  leave  Vera  Cruz  before  the  vomito  should  reach  its  height. 

Accordingly,  on  the  next  day, —  Wednesday,  May  5tk, — 
Maj.  Gen.  Patterson  issued  the  order  in  the  note  below, — 
being  the  last  general  order  addressed  to  us.* 

*  HEADQUARTERS,  VOLUNTEER  DIVISION,     ) 
Jalapa.  Mexico,  May  5th,  1847.  £ 
ORDERS,  No.  17. 

In  accordance  •with  the  orders  from  the  Headquarters  of  the  army,  the  Tennessee  cavalry 
the  1st  and  2d  Tennessee,  the  3d  and  4th  Illinois,  the  Georgia  and  the  Alabama  regiments  of 
infantry,  and  Capt.  Williams' company  of  Kentucky  volunteers,  will  be  held  in  readiness  to 
inarch  to  Vera  Cruz,  thence  to  embark  for  New  Orleans,  where  they  will  be  severally  and 
honorably  mustered  out  of  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  paid  off  by'the  proper  officers 
on  duty  there. 

To  facilitate  the  march.  Col.  Campbell,  with  the  regiment  of  Tennessee  horse,  the  1st  and 
2d  Tennessee  infantry,  and  the  company  of  Kentucky  volunteers,  will  march  to-morrow  morn- 
ing, the  6th  instant. 

The  3d  and  4th  Illinois  regiments,  under  Col.  Forman,  will  march  to-morrow,  at  two,  P.  M. 

The  Georgia  and  Alabama  regiments,  under  Col.  Jackson,  will  march  on  the  morning  of 
the  7th  instant. 

The  troops  will  march  with  their  arms,  ten  rounds  of  ammunition,  and  their  personal  ef- 
fects, and  will  turn  in  at  this  place  all  tents,  and  such  other  articles  of  camp  equipage  as  may 
not  be  indispensable  on  the  return  march. 

Each  man  will  take  in  his  haversack  hard  bread  for  four  days,  and  bacon  for  two  days. — 
The  Brigade  Commissaries  will  obtain  from  the  Chief  Commissary  money  to  purchase  fresh 
beef,  on  the  road,  for  two  days. 

The  Quartermasters  of  the  command  will  make  the  proper  requisitions  on  the  acting  Quar- 
termaster General  for  the  necessary  transportation. 

In  promulgating  this  order  for  these  gallant  regiments  to  return  to  the  United  States,  the 
Major  General,  while  he  regrets  that  the  term  of  their  service  will  not  afford  another  oppor- 
tunity for  these  troops  to  gather  additional  fame  in  the  future  events  of  this  already  brilliant 
campaign,  cannot  forget  that  the  recollections  of  a  glorious  past  will  be  carried  to  their  homes 
The  services  of  the  twelve  months'  volunteers  will  ever  be  perpetuated  in  their  country's  his- 
tory with  the  remembrances  of  Monterey,  Buena  Vista,  Vera  Cruz  and  Cerro  Gordo. 

The  Major  General  avails  himself  of  this  occasion  to  take  leave  of  the  1st  and  2d  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  South  Carolina  and  the  New  York  volunteers,  and  to  tender  his  thanks  to  Brigadier 
General  (now  Major  General)  Quitman,  and  them,  for  their  obedience  to  orders,  attention  to 
duty,  and  their  faithful,  ready  and  cheerful  support,  under  all  emergencies,  since  they  have 
been  under  his  command;  and  he  assures  these  fine  corps,  and  their  gallant  and  accomplish- 
ed commander,  that  he  will  always  be  happy  to  meet,  and  to  serve  with  them. 

By  order  of  Major  General  PATTKBSON  : 

(Signed)        WM.  H.  FRENCH,  Acting  Asst.  Adjt.  G<n< 


614  COMMENCEMENT   OF   THE   RETURN   MARCH. 

We  commenced  the  return  march,  from  the  city  of  Jalapa 
on  the  morning  of  the  6th  of  May.  It  was  a  lovely  day  ;  the 
air  was  clear,  and  Orizaba  showed  its  height  of  snow  more 
plainly  than  usual.  For  a  sketch  of  this  mountain,  taken 
this  morning,  see  plate  opposite.* 

We  arrived  at  Vera  Cruz,  on  the  8th,  without  any  circum- 
stances worthy  of  note,  save  some  skirmishing  with  guerril- 
las. We  sold  our  horses  there,  to  the  quartermaster's  depart- 
ment, and  immediately  embarked  on  board  the  ships  ready  in 
the  harbor,  and  a  few  days'  sail  brought  us  to  New  Orleans ; 
where,  on  the  last  of  May,  we  were  mustered  out  of  the  ser- 
vice of  the  United  States,  with  the  other  twelve  months'  vol- 
unteers, who  were  arriving  from  Gen.  Taylor's  division.  We 
were  paid  off  and  discharged,  and,  for  the  first,  time  in  near 
twelve  months,  felt  ourselves  at  liberty. — Every  man  com- 
menced thinking,  planning,  and  acting  for  his  future  inter- 
ests ;  and  each  experienced  a  feeling  of  pride,  upon  reflect- 
ing that  he  had  nobly  served  his  country  for  one  year  of  his 
life.  But  with  our  joy  a  feeling  of  sadness  was  mingled, 
when  we  thought  of  the  many  brave  spirits  that  a  year  be- 
fore had  gone  out  with  us,  who  now  returned  not, — fallen  in 
the  ranks  before  the  enemy,  or  sunk  beneath  the  baneful 
effects  of  a  sickly  climate. — Of  the  eighteen  thousand  twelve 
months'  volunteers  that  then  had  been  marshaled  for  the 
conflict,  not  twelve  thousand  could  now  be  mustered. 

And  now,  reader,  the  long  account  is  brought  to  a  close  ; 
and  if  to  the  minds  of  his  former  fellow-soldiers  the  author 
has  succeeded  in  bringing  past  scenes  freshly  in  review, — and 
if  to  the  general  reader  he  has  given  a  clear  idea  of  those 
transactions  and  events, — his  object  is  fully  accomplished. 

*In  the  foreground  of  this  view  (he  artist  was  directed  to  place  part  of  the  column  of  car- 
airy  and  infantry  of  the  twelve  months'  volunteers,  as  they  commenced  the  return  march,  and 
which,  from  want  of  time,  had  not  been  placed  on  it  l>y  the  author.  When  again  lie  saw  the 
picture,  on  being  finished,  he  perceived  that  only  part  of  one  company  of  cavalry  had  there 
been  placed,  and  those  were  represented  as  going  at  full  speed,  as  if  on  a  charge,  apparently- 
delighted  at  the  idea  of  return. — But,  however  gratifying  this  might  have  been  to  them,  the 
march  was  made  in  regular  columns  of  twos,  with  the  same  steady  motion  as  at  all  other  times, 
save  in  the  charge,  or  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy. — A  long  plume  and  beaver  had  also  been  placed 
on  the  head  of  one  of  the  officers.  The  author  has  no  recollection  of  ever  seeing  one  of  these 
in  the  American  army  in  Mexico,  save  upon  one  occasion — that  worn  by  Gen.  Worth,  at  the 
scene  of  the  surrender  of  Vera  Cruz. — Being  amused,  however,  at  the  idea  of  the  hurry  to 
return,  expressed  by  the  position  of  these  soldiers,  and  thinking  that  it  would  perhaps  strike 
the  minds  of  his  former  comrades  in  the  same  manner,  he  allowed  the  picture  to  remain  unal- 
tered.— It  give*  a  correct  view  of  Orizaba  and  the  neighboring  mountains. 


SUBSEQUENT    OPERATIONS. 


AFTER  the  twelve  months'  volunteers  had  left  the  army,  Gen.  Scott  remained  at  Puebla, 
which  had  been  previously  taken,  until  he  was  reinforced  by  the  arrival  of  other  troops,  from 
the  United  States,  all  of  which  were  mustered  in  for  the  war.  As  these  reinforcements  moved 
up  from  Vera  Cruz,  along  the  national  road,  they  were  violently  opposed  in  their  progress  by- 
bodies  of  guerrillas,  now  become  formidable,  and  whose  method  of  fighting  was  without 
quarter,  or  in  their  own  words,  "  without  pity  unto  death." 

These  had  severe  conflicts  with  the  forces  of  Gen.  Pillow,  Gen.  Cadwalader,  Gen.  Pierce, 
Gen.  Lane,  Major  Lally,  and  others ;  but  they  were  worsted  in  every  conflict,  save  one,  at  the 
Kational  Bridge,  in  which  they  defeated  the  small  detachment  of  Capt.  Wells,  and  forced  him 
to  retreat,  with  the  entire  loss  of  his  train,  and  many  men  killed  and  wounded.  Major  tally's 
command  fought  nearly  every  foot  of  the  way  from  Vera  Cruz  to  Jalapa;  the  report  having 
spread  among  the  guerrillas,  that  in  the  train  he  had  with  him  was  contained,  in  specie,  over 
a  million  of  dollars. 

On  the  6th  of  August,  the  army  commenced  the  march  from  Puebla.  towards  the  city  of 
Mexico.  Now,  the  Mexican  army,  in  great  numbers,  posted  in  strong  fortifications,  awaited 
them  j  having  entirely  recovered  from  the  effects  of  the  rout  at  Cerro  Gordo. — For  an  account 
of  the  succeeding  glorious  battles,  and  the  final  capture  of  the  city  of  Mexico,  the  reader  is 
•referred  to  the  dispatches  of  Gen.  Scott : 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THK  ARMY,  ) 
TACUBATA,  at  the  Gates  of  Mexico,  Aug.  28, 1847. ) 

SIR — My  report,  No.  31,  commenced  in  the  night  of  the  19th  instant,  closed  the  operations 
of  the  army  with  that  day. 

The  morning  of  the  20th.  opened  with  one  of  a  series  of  unsurpassed  achievements,  all  in 
view  of  the  capital,  and  to  which  I  shall  give  the  general  name — the  battle  of  Mexico. 

In  the  night  of  the  19th,  brigadier  generals  Shields,  P.  F.  Smith,  and  Cadwalader,  and  Col. 
Biley,  with  their  brigades,  and  the  15th  regiment,  under  Col.  Morgan,  detached  from  Brig.  Gen. 
Pierce,  found  themselves  in,  and  about,  the  important  position,  the  village,  hamlet,  or  hacien- 
da, called  indifferently.  Contreras.  Ansalda,  San  Gerenano — half  a  mile  nearer  to  the  city,  than 
the  enemy's  entrenched  camp,  on  the  same  road,  towards  the  factory  Magdalena. 

That  camp  had  been,  unexpectedly,  our  formidable  point  of  attack,  the  afternoon  before ; 
and  we  had  now  to  take  it,  without  the  aid  of  cavalry  or  artillery,  or  to  throw  back  our  ad- 
vanced corps  upon  the  road  from  San  Augustin  to  the  city,  and  thence  force  a  passage  through 
San  Antonio. 

Accordingly,  to  meet  contingencies,  Maj.  Gen.  Worth  was  ordered  to  leave,  early  in  the 
morning  of  the  20th ;  one  of  his  brigades  to  mask  San  Antonio,  and  lo  march  with  the  other, 
six  miles,  via  San  Augustin,  upon  Contreras.  A  like  destination  was  given  to  Maj.  Gen 
Quitman,  and  his  remaining  brigade,  in  San  Augustin — replacing,  for  the  moment,  the  garri- 
son of  that  important  depot,  with  Harney's  brigade  of  cavalry,  as  horse  could  not  pass  over 
the  intervening  rocks,  &c.,  to  reach  the  field  of  battlo. 

At  three  o'clock.  A,  M..  the  great  movement  commenced  on  the  rear  of  the  enemy's  camp, 
Riley  leading,  followed  successively,  by  Cadwalader's  and  Smith's  brigades  :  the  latter  tem- 
porarily under  the  orders  of  Major  Dimmick,  of  the  1st  artillery — the  whole  force  being  com- 
manded by  Smith,  the  senior  in  the  general  attack,  and  whose  arrangements,  skill,  and  gal- 
lantry, always  challenge  the  highest  admiration. 

The  march  was  rendered  tedious,  by  the  darkness,  ram,  and  mnd ;  but  about  sunrise,  Riley, 
conducted  by  Lieut.  Tower,  engineer,  had  reached  an  elevation  behind  the  enemy,  whence 

(815) 


616  BATTLE  OF  CONTRAS. 

be  precipitated  his  columns,  stormed  the  entrenchments,  planted  his  several  colors  upon  them, 
•nd  carried  the  work — all  in  seventeen  minutes. 

I  doubt  whether  a  more  brilliant  or  decisive  victory,  taking  into  view,  ground,  artificial  de- 
fences, batteries,  and  the  extreme  disparity  of  numbers,  •without  cavalry  or  artillery,  on  our 
side,  is  to  be  found  on  record.  Including  all  our  corps  directed  against  the  entrenched  camp, 
with  Shields'  brigade  at  the  hamlet,  we  positively  did  not  number  over  four  thousand  five 
hundred,  rank  and  file ;  and  we  knew,  by  sight,  and  since,  more  certainly,  by  many  captured 
documents  and  letters,  that  the  enemy  had  actually  engaged  on  the  spot  seven  thousand  men, 
with  at  least  twelve  thousand  more  hovering  •within  sight,  and  striking  distance — both  on  the 
19th  and  iOth.  .All,  not  killed  or  captured,  now  fled  with  precipitation. 

Thus  was  the  great  victory  of  Contreras  achieved :  one  road  to  the  capital  opened :  seven 
hundred  of  the  enemy  killed :  eight  hundred  and  thirteen  prisoners,  including  among  them, 
eighty-eight  officers,  four  generals,  besides  many  colors  and  standards :  eighty-two  pieces  of 
brass  ordnance — half  of  large  calibre — thousands  of  small  arms  and  accoutrements,  and  im. 
mense  quantities  of  shot,  shells,  powder,  and  cartridges,  seven  hnndred  pack  mules,  many 
horses.  &c.,  &c. — all  in  our  hands. 

One  of  the  most  pleasing  incidents  of  the  victory,  is  the  recapture,  in  the  works,  by  CapL 
Drum,  4th  artillery,  under  Major  Gardner,  of  the  two  brass  six  pounders,  taken  from  another 
company  of  the  same  regiment,  though  without  the  loss  of  honor,  at  the  glorious  battle  of  Buena 
Vista — about  which  guns  the  whole  regiment  had  mourned  for  so  many  long  months '.  Com- 
ing up  a  little  later,  I  had  the  happiness  to  join  in  the  protracted  cheers  of  the  gallant  4th,  on 
the  joyous  event ;  and  indeed,  the  whole  army  sympathises  in  its  just  pride  and  exultation. 

The  battle  being  •won  before  the  advancing  brigades  of  Worth's  and  Quitman's  divisions 
were  in  sight,  both  were  ordered  back  to  their  late  positions.  Worth,  to  attack  San  Antonio 
in  front,  with  his  whole  force,  as  soon  as  approached  in  the  rear,  by  Pillow's  and  Twiggs' 
divisions — moving  from  Contreras,  through  San  Angel  and  Coyoacan.  By  carrying  San  An- 
tonio, we  knew  that  we  should  open  another — a  shorter  and  better — road  to  the  capital,  for 
our  siege  and  other  trains. 

Arriving  at  Coyoacan,  two  miles  by  a  cross  road,  from  the  rear  of  San  Antonio,  I  first  de- 
tached Capt.  Lee,  engineer,  with  Capt.  Kearney's  troops,  1st  dragoons,  supported  by  the  rifle- 
regiment,  Major  Loring,  to  reconnoitre  that  strong  point ;  and  next  dispatched  Maj.  Gen.  Pil- 
low, with  one  of  his  brigades  (Cadwalader's),  to  make  the  attack  upon  it,  in  concert  with 
Maj.  Gen.  Worth,  on  the  opposite  side. 

At  the  same  time,  by  another  road  to  the  left,  Lieut.  Stevens,  of  the  engineers,  supported  by 
Lieut.  G.  W.  Smith's  company  of  sappers  and  miners,  of  the  same  corps,  was  sent  to  recon- 
noitre the  strongly  fortified  church,  or  convent,  of  San  Sablo,  in  the  hamlet  of  Churubusco,  one 
mile  off".  Twiggs,  with  one  of  his  brigades  (Smith's — less  the  rifles),  and  Capt.  Taylor's  field 
battery,  were  ordered  to  follow,  and  to  attack  the  convent.  Major  Smith,  senior  engineer,  wa* 
dispatched  to  concert  with  Twiggs,  the  mode  and  means  of  attack,  and  Twiggs'  other  brigade 
(Riley's),  I  soon  ordered  up  to  support  him. 

Next  (but  all  in  ten  minutes)  I  sent  Pierce  (just  able  to  keep  the  saddle),  •with  his  brigade 
(Pillow's  division),  conducted  by  Capt  Lee,  engineer,  by  a  third  road,  a  little  farther  to  our 
left,  to  attack  the  enemy's  right  and  rear,  in  order  to  favor  the  movement  upon  the  convent,  and 
cut  off  the  retreat  towards  the  capital.  And,  finally,  Shields,  senior  brigadier  to  Pierce,  with 
the  New  York  and  South  Carolina  volunteers  (Quitman's  battalion),  was  ordered  to  follow 
Pierce,  closely,  and  to  take  the  command  of  our  left  wing.  All  these  movements  were  made 
•with  the  utmost  alacrity  by  our  gallant  troops  and  commanders. 

Finding  myself  at  Coyoacan,  from  which  so  many  roads  conveniently  branched,  without 
escort  or  reserve,  I  had  to  advance,  for  safety,  close  upon  Twiggs'  rear.  The  battle  now 
raged  from  the  right  to  the  left  of  our  whole  line. 

Learning,  on  the  return  of  Capt.  Lee,  that  Shields,  in  the  rear  of  Churubusco,  was  hard- 
pressed,  and  in  danger  of  being  out-flanked,  if  not  overwhelmed,  by  greatly  superior  numbers, 
I  immediately  sent  under  Major  Sumner,  2d  dragoons,  the  rifles  (Twiggs'  reserve),  and  Capt. 
Sibley's  troop,  2d  dragoons,  then  at  hand,  to  support  our  left,  guided  by  the  same  engineer. 

About  an  hour  earlier,  Worth  had,  by  skillful  and  daring  movements  upon  the  front  and 
light,  turned,  and  forced  San  Antonio — its  garrison,  no  doubt  much  shaken  by  our  decisive 
victory  at  Contreras. 

The  forcing  of  San  Antonio  was  the  teeond  brilliant  event  of  the  day. 
Worth's  division,  being  reunited  in  hot  pursuit,  he  was  joined  by  Maj.  Gen.  Pillow,  who, 
inarching  from  Coyoacan,  and  discovering  that  San  Antonio  had  been  carried,  immediately 


BATTLE  OF  CHURUBUSCO.  G17 

turned  to  the  left,  according  to  my  instructions,  and,  though  much  impeded  by  ditches  and 
ewamps,  hastened  to  the  attack  of  Churubusco. 

The  hamlet,  or  scattered  houses,  bearing  this  name,  presented,  besides  the  fortified  convent, 
a  strong  field-work  (Me  de  pont),  with  regular  bastions  and  curtains,  at  the  head  of  a  bridge, 
over  which  the  road  passes  from  San  Antonio  to  the  capital. 

The  whole  remaining  forces  of  Mexico— some  twenty-seven  thousand  men,  cavalry,  artil- 
lery, and  infantry,  collected  from  every  quarter— were  now  in,  on  the  flanks,  or  within  sup- 
porting distance  of  those  works,  and  seemed  resolved  to  make  a  last  and  desperate  stand ;  for 
if  beaten  here,  the  feebler  defences  at  the  gates  of  the  city — four  miles  off— could  not,  as  was 
well  known  to  both  parties,  delay  the  victors  an  hour.  The  capital  of  an  ancient  empire,  now 
of  a  great  republic,  or  an  early  peace,  the  assailants  were  resolved  to  win.  Not  an  Ameri- 
can, and  we  were  less  than  a  third  of  the  enemy's  numbers,  had  a  doubt  as  to  the  result. 

The  fortified  church,  or  convent,  hotly  pressed  by  Twiggs,  had  already  held  out  about  aa 
hour,  when  Worth  and  Pillow— the  latter  having  with  him  only  Cadwalader's  brigade— began 
to  manoeuvre  closely  upon  the  tete  tie  pont,  with  the  convent  at  half  gun-shot,  to  their  left. — 
Garland's  brigade  (Worth's  division),  to  which  had  been  added  the  light  battalion  under  Lieut. 
Col.  Smith,  continued  to  advance  in  front,  and  under  the  fire  of  a  long  line  of  infantry,  off  on 
the  left  of  the  bridge  ;  and  Clarke,  of  the  same  division,  directed  his  brigade  along  the  road 
or  close  by  its  side.  Two  of  Pillow's  and  Cadwaladers  regiments,  the  llth  and  14th,  sup- 
ported and  participated  in  this  direct  movement;  the  others  (the  voltigeurs),  were  left  in 
reserve.  Most  of  these  corps — particularly  Clark's  brigade — advancing  perpendicularly, 
were  made  to  suffer  much  by  the  fire  of  the  tetedepont;  and  they  would  have  suffered  greatly 
more  by  flank  attacks  from  the  convent,  but  for  the  pressure  of  Twiggs,  on  the  other  side  of 
that  work. 

This  well-combined,  and  daring  movement,  at  length  reached  the  principal  point  of  attack, 
and  the  formidable  tete  de  pont  was,  at  once,  assaulted  and  carried  by  the  bayonet.  Its  deep 
wet  ditch  was  first  gallantly  crossed  by  the  8th  and  5th  infantry,  commanded,  respectively, 
by  Major  Waite  and  Lieut.  Col.  Scott,  followed  closely,  by  the  6th  infantry  (same  brigade), 
which  had  been  so  much  exposed  in  the  road,  the  llth  regiment,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Graham, 
and  the  14th,  commanded  by  Col.  Trousdale,  both  of  Cadwalader's  brigade,  Pillow's  division, 
About  the  same  time,  the  enemy,  in  front  of  Garland,  after  a  hot  conflict  of  an  hour  and  a 
half,  gave  way,  in  a  retreat  towards  the  capital. 

The  immediate  results  of  this  third  signal  triumph  on  the  day  were  :  three  field  pieces,  one 
hundred  and  ninety-two  prisoners,  much  ammunition,  and  two  colors,  taken  in  the  tele  de 
pont. 

Finally,  twenty  minutes  after  the  tete  de  pont  had  been  carried  by  Worth  and  Pillow,  and  at 
the  end  of  a  desperate  conflict  of  two  hours  and  a  half,  the  church  or  convent — the  citadel  of 
this  strong  line  of  defence  along  the  rivulet  of  Churubusco — yielded  to  Twiggs'  division,  and 
threw  out  on  all  sides  signals  of  surrender.  The  white  flags,  however,  were  not  exhibited 
until  the  moment  when  the  3d  infantry,  under  Capt.  Alexander,  had  cleared  the  way  by  fire 
and  bayonet,  and  had  entered  the  work.  Capt.  J.  M.  Smith  and  Lieut.  O.  L.  Shepheard,  both 
of  that  regiment,  with  their  companies,  had  the  glory  of  leading  the  assault.  The  former  re- 
ceived the  surrender,  and  Capt.  Alexander  instantly  hung  out,  from  a  balcony,  the  colors  of 
the  gallant  3d.  Maj.  Dimick,  with  a  part  of  the  1st  artillery,  serving  as  infantry,  entered 
nearly  abreast  with  the  leading  troops. 

Capt.  Taylors  field  battery,  attached  to  Twiggs'  division,  opened  its  effective  fire,  at  an 
early  moment,  upon  the  out-works  of  the  convent  and  the  tower  of  its  church.  Exposed  to 
the  severest  fire  of  the  enemy,  the  captain,  his  officers  and  men,  won  universal  admiration  ; 
but  at  length,  much  disabled,  in  men  and  horses,  the  battery  was,  by  superior  orders,  with- 
drawn from  the  action  thirty  minutes  before  the  surrender  of  the  convent. 

The  immediate  results  of  this  victory  were  :  the  capture  of  seven  field-pieces,  some  am- 
munition, one  color,  three  generals,  and  1,261  prisoners,  including  other  officers. 

Capt.  E.  A.  Capron  and  M.  J.  Burke,  and  Lieut.  S.  Hoffman,  all  of  the  1st  artillery,  and 
('apt.  J.  W.  Anderson  and  Lieut.  Thomas  Easley,  both  of  the  2d  infantry — five  officers  of 
rare  merit — fell  gallar'ly  before  the  work. 

The  capture  of  the  enemy's  citadel  was  the  fourth  great  achievement  of  our  arms  in  the 
same  day. 

In  a  winding  march  of  a  mile  around  to  the  right,  this  temporary  division  found  :t§elf  on  the 
edge  of  an  open  wet  meadow,  near  the  road  from  San  Antonio  to  the  capital,  and  in  the  pres- 
ence of  some  four  thousand  of  the  enemy's  infantry,  a  little  in  rear  of  Churubusco,  on  that 


618  BATTLE  OF  CHURUBUSCO. 

road. — Establishing  the  right  at  a  strong  building,  Shields  extended  his  left  parallel  to  th« 
road,  to  outflank  the  enemy  towards  the  capital.  But  the  enemy  extending  his  right,  suppor- 
ted by  3,000  cavalry,  more  rapidly,  (being  favored  by  better  ground),  in  the  same  direction, 
Shields  concentrated  the  division  about  a  hamlet,  and  determined  to  attack  in  from.  The 
battle  was  long.  hot.  and  varied  ;  but  ultimately,  success  crowned  the  zeal  and  gallantry  of 
our  troops,  ably  directed  by  their  distinguished  commander.  Brig.  Gen.  Shields.  The  9th,  12th 
and  15th  regiments,  under  Col.  Ransom,  Capt.  Wood,  and  Col.  Morgan,  respectively,  of 
Pierce's  brigade,  (Pillow's  division),  and  the  New  York  and  South  Carolina  volunteers,  under 
colonels  Burnett  and  Butler,  respectively  of  Shields'  own  brigade,  (Quitman's  division),  to- 
gether with  the  mountain  howitzer  battery,  now  under  Lieut.  Reno,  of  the  ordnance  corps,  all 
shared  in  the  glory  of  this  action — ouijifth  victory  in  the  same  day. 

Brig.  Gen.  Pierce,  from  the  hurt  of  the  evening  before — under  pain  and  exhaustion — fainted 
in  the  action.  Several  other  changes  in  command  occurred  on  this  field. 

Shields  took  380  prisoners,  including  officers  ;  and  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  the  fate  of  the 
conflict  between  him  and  the  enemy,  just  in  the  rear  of  the  tete  dc  pont  and  the  convent,  had 
some  influence  on  the  surrender  of  those  formidable  defences. 

As  soon  as  the  tete  de  pont  was  carried,  the  greater  part  of  Worth's  and  Pillow's  forces 
passed  that  bridge'  in  rapid  pursuit  of  the  flying  enemy.  These  distinguished  generals,  com- 
ing up  with  Brig.  Gen.  Shields,  now  also  victorious,  the  three  continued  to  press  upon  the  fu- 
gitives to  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  the  capital.  Here,  Col.  Harney,  with  a  small  part  of  hi* 
brigade  of  cavalry,  rapidly  passed  to  the  front,  and  charged  the  enemy  up  to  the  nearest  gate. 
The  cavalry  charge  was  headed  by  Capt.  Kearney,  of  the  1st  dragoons,  having  in  squadron, 
with  his  own  troop,  that  of  Capt  McReynolds,  of  the  3d — making  the  usual  escort  to  general 
headquarters;  but  being  early  in  the  day  detached  for  general  service,  was  now  under  Col. 
Harney's  orders.  The  gallant  captain,  not  hearing  the  recoil,  dashed  up  to  the  San  Antonio 
gate,  sabreing,  in  his  way.  all  who  resisted. 

So  terminated  the  series  of  events,  which  I  have  but  feebly  presented.  My  thanks  were 
freely  poured  out  on  the  different  fields — to  the  abilities  and  science  of  generals  and  other  offi- 
cers— to  the  gallantry  and  prowess  of  all — the  rank  and  file  included.  But  a  reward  infinitely 
higher — the  applause  of  a  grateful  country  and  government — will,  I  cannot  doubt,  be  accorded, 
in  due  time,  to  so  much  merit,  of  every  sort,  displayed  by  this  glorious  army,  which  has  now 
-overcome  all  difficulties — distance,  climate,  ground,  fortifications,  and  numbers. 

It  has  in  a  single  day.  in  many  battles,  as  often  defeated  32,000  men ;  made  about  3,000  pris- 
oners, including  eight  generals,  (two  of  them  ex-presidents),  and  205  other  officers;  killed  or 
wounded  4.000  of  all  ranks — besides  entire  corps  dispersed  and  dissolved : — captured  37  pieces 
of  orduance — more  than  trebling  our  siege  train  and  field  batteries — with  a  large  number  of 
small  arms,  a  full  supply  of  ammunition  of  every  kind,  &c..  &c.  These  great  results  have 
overwhelmed  the  enemy. 

Our  loss  amounts  to  1.053 — killed.  469,  including  16  officers  ;  wounded,  876,  with  60  officers. 
The  greater  number  of  the  dead  and  disabled  were  of  the  highest  worth. — Those  under  treat- 
ment, thanks  to  our  very  able  medical  officers,  are  generally  doiug  well. 

I  regret  having  been  obliged,  on  the  £0th,  to  leave  Maj.  Gen.  Quitman,  an  able  commander, 
with  a  part  of  his  division — the  fine  2d  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  and  the  veteran  detach- 
ment of  United  States' marines — at  our  important  depot,  San  Augustin.  It  was  there  that  1 
had  placed  our  sick  and  wounded  ;  the  siege,  supply  and  baggage  trains.  If  these  had  beea 
lost,  the  army  would  have  been  driven  almost  to  despair,  and  considering  the  enemy's  very 
great  excess  of  numbers,  and  the  many  approaches  to  the  depot,  it  might  well  have  become, 
emphatically,  the  post  of  honor. 

After  so  many  victories,  we  might,  with  but  little  additional  loss,  have  occupied  the 
capital  the  same  evening.  But  Mr.  Trist,  commissioner.  &c..  as  well  as  myself,  had  been  ad- 
monished by  the  best  friends  of  peace — intelligent  neutrals,  and  some  American  residents — 
against  precipitation  ;  lost,  by  wantonly  driving  away  the  government  and  others — dishonor- 
ed—we might  scatter  the  elements  of  peace,  excite  a  spirit  of  national  desperation,  and  thus 
indefinitely  postpone  the  hope  of  an  accommodation.  Deeply  impressed  with  this  danger,  and 
remembering  our  mission — to  conquer  a  peace — the  army  very  cheerfully  sacrificed  to  patri- 
otism— to  the  great  wish  and  want  of  our  country — the  eclat  that  would  have  followed  an  en- 
trance—sword in  hand — into  a  great  capital.  Willing  to  leave  something  to  this  republic— 
of  no  immediate  value  to  us — on  which  to  rest  her  piit'.e,  and  to  recover  temper— I  halted  our 
•victorious  corps  at  the  gates  of  the  city,  (at  least  for  a  time),  and  have  them  now  cantoned 
in  the  neighboring  villages,  where  they  are  well  sheltered,  and  supplied  with  all  aecessanes. 


ARMISTICE  CONCLUDED.  619 

On  the  morning  of  the  21st,  being  about  to  take  up  battering  or  assaulting  position*,  to  au- 
thorize me  to  summon  the  city  to  surrender,  or  to  sign  an  armistice,  with  a  pledge  to  enter  at 
once  into  negotiations  for  a  peace— a  mission  came  out  to  propose  a  truce.  Rejecting  its 
terms,  I  dispatched  my  contemplated  note  to  Gen.  Santa  Anna— omitting  the  summons.  The 
22d,  commissioners  were  appointed  by  the  commanders  of  the  two  armies ;  the  armistice  was 
signed  the  23d,  and  ratifications  exchanged  the  24th. 

All  matters  in  dispute  between  the  two  governments  have  been  thus  happily  turned  over 
to  their  plenipotentiaries,  who  have  had  several  conferences,  and  with,  I  think,  some  hops 
of  signing  a  treaty  of  peace. 

There  will  be  transmitted  to  the  Adjutant  General  reports  from  divisions,  brigades,  fcc., 
on  the  foregoing  operatiois,  to  which  I  must  refer  with  my  hearty  concurrence  in  the  just  ap- 
plause bestowed  on  corps  and  individuals  by  their  respective  commanders.  I  have  been 
able— this  report  being  necessarily  summary— to  bring  out.  comparatively  but  uttle  of  indi- 
vidual merit  not  lying  directly  in  the  way  of  the  narrative.  Thus,  I  doubt  whether  I  have,  in 
express  terms,  given  my  approbation  and  applause  to  ihe  commanders  of  divisions  and  inde- 
pendent brigades  ;  but  left  their  fame  upon  higher  grounds— the  simple  record  of  their  deeds 
and  the  brilliant  results. 

To  the  staff,  both  general  and  personal,  attached  to  general  headquarters,  I  was  again  un- 
der high  obligations  for  services  in  the  field,  as  always  in  the  bureaux. 

I  had  the  valuable  services,  as  volunteer  aids,  of  majors  Kirby  and  Van  Buren,  of  the  pay 
department,  always  eager  for  activity  and  distinction  j  and  of  a  third,  the  gallant  Major  J.  P. 
Gaines,  of  the  Kentucky  volunteers. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  with  high  respect, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

WINFIELD  SCOTT. 

Hon  WM.  L.  MARCT,  Secretary  of  War. 

The  foregoing  dispatch  of  Major  General  Scott,  with  regard  to  the  operations  of  the  army 
from  the  time  of  Us  arrival  near  the  city  of  Mexico,  to  that  of  the  armistice  being  concluded 
between  the  opposing  forces,  can  be  belter  understood  by  a  perusal  of  the  following  clearly 
written  review  of  the  same,  by  a  correspondent  of  the  N.  O.  Picayune.  Taking  this  in 
connection  with  the  map  of  the  vicinity  of  the  city  of  Mexico,  (opposite  page  6.20),  the  reader 
can  be  at  no  loss  in  forming  a  clear  and  definite  view  of  the  plan  of  those  gallantly  fought 
engagements. 

•'  We  do  not  think  that  either  the  dispatches  of  Gen.  Scott,  or  the  reports  of  his  subordinates, 
have  been  remarkably  clear  as  historical  narration.  As  military  papers,  they  are,  no  doubt, 
all  that  they  ought  to  be;  but  in  reading  them  one  becomes  absolutely  puzzled  with  the  minc- 
ing up  of  facts  with  the  names  of  division*,  brigades  and  regiments,  officers  and  soldiers,  and 
a  mass  of  details,  which  it  requires  almost  an  adjutant  general  to  disentangle  and  understand. 
The  task  of  forming  a  clear  idea  of  the  plan  of  operations,  as  a  whole,  is  to  a  civilian  a 
difficult  one ;  and,  perhaps,  his  satisfaction  in  accomplishing  it  is  one  reason  why  he  may  be 
permitted  to  spread  the  result  of  his  labors  on  paper,  for  the  benefit  of  those  who,  like  him- 
self, have  known  little  more  than  that  Mexico  is  ours,  and  that  it  cost  a  certain  number  of 
killed,  wounded  and  missing,  to  make  it  so. 

"  About  the  middle  of  August  last,  Gen.  Scott,  with  the  army  that  marched  from  Puebla,  was 
at  Buena  Vista — not  the  Buena  Vista,  but  a  place  of  the  same  name — about  twenty  miles  from 
the  city  of  Mexico  Let  us  imagine  ourselves  at  his  side,  looking  straight  towards  the  city, 
and  able  to  see  it,  and  the  intervening  country,  as  we  do  on  the  map  before  us.  as  we  write. 
Directly  in  front  is  the  great  high  road  to  Mexico.  Immediately  to  the  let't  is  a  large  lake, 
along  whose  northern  shore  the  road  runs;  and  some  miles  further  on,  still  to  the  left  as  we 
look,  and  to  the  south  of  the  road,  but  at  a  distance  from  it  and  reaching  to  within  a  few 
miles  of  the  city,  is  another  lake.  The  first  of  these,  is  the  lake  of  Chalco;  the  second,  or 
farthest  off,  is  the  lake  of  Xochilmilco.  So  much  for  what  we  see  on  the  left  of  the  highway 
as  we  look  towards  Mexico.  On  the  right,  and  opposite  to  the  lake  of  Chalco,  the  country  is 
open,  but  farther  on  and  directly  opposite  the  lake  of  Xochilmilco.  is  the  lake  of  Tezcuco — 
the  lake  in  whose  waters  was  throned  the  Tenochtillan  of  Montezuma — but  now  dwindled  to 
a  comparatively  small  sheet  of  water,  which  does  not  approach  much  nearer  to  the  modern 
city  than  the  lake  of  Xochilmilco,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  high  road.  Traveling,  there- 
fore, from  Buena  Vista  to  Mexico,  you  have  first  the  lake  of  Chalco  on  your  left  hand,  with 
open  country  on  your  right,  and  afterwards  the  lake  of  Tezcuco  close  on  the  right,  and  the 
lake  of  Xochilmilco  opposite  to  it,  but  much  farther  off  on  the  left;  and  so  you  continue  on 


EXPLANATION  OF  BATTLE  GROUNDS. 

•between  the  two  lakes  until,  passing  their  western  extremities,  you  travel  through  an  open 
country  on  either  hand  up  to  the  garita  of  Penol,  one  of  the  entrances  into  the  city.. 

'•  Now,  this  was  the  best  road  for  the  diligence,  but  not  for  Gen.  Scott ;  for  close  to  that  part 
of  the  road  which,  as  we  have  seen,  lies  between  the  lakes  of  Tezcuco  and  Xochilmilco.  was 
the  fortress  or  fortified  hill  of  the  Penon— the  old  Penon — for  there  is  another  Penon  nearer 
the  city. 

'•The  ground  on  either  side  of  the  road  was  marshy  and  impassable  ;  and  an  approach  to 
Mexico,  by  this  route,  would  have  been  a  most  murderous  business — something  like  march- 
ing a  body  of  men  from  the  Bridge  up  Baltimore  street  to  the  Eutaw  House,  supposing  the 
latter  turned  round  across  the  street,  with  cannon  loaded  with  round  and  grape  shot  at  every 
window.  Tempting,  therefore,  as  was  the  smooth  highway  between  the  lakes,  it  was  not  to 
be  thought  of;  and,  instead,  therefore,  of  pursuing  it.  Gen.  Scott  turned  off  to  the  left  at 
Buena  Vista,  nearly  at  right  angles  to  the  road  he.  had  traveled  from  Puebla,  and,  keeping 
close  to  the  lake  of  Chalco,  which  was.  of  course,  then  on  his  right  hand,  came  to  Ayocingo 
at  its  southern  extremity.  Here,  he  turned  again  short  round  to  the  right,  and  keeping  close 
to  the  southern  shores,  first  of  the  lake  Chalco,  and  afterwards  of  Xochilmilco,  upon  a  road 
•which  he  cut  for  the  occasion,  marched  northwestwardly  on  a  line  nearly  parallel  with  the 
highway  he  had  left,  and  separated  from  it  by  the  last  named  lakes.  In  this  manner,  and 
soon  after  leaving  the  lake  of  Xochilmilco,  at  La  Novia,  he  came  to  San  Augustin— about  as 
far  from  the  city  as  he  could  have  been  had  he  taken  the  main  road  and  stopped  at  the  Penon, 
but  without  the  loss  of  a  man ;  whereas  thousands  might  have  been  sacrificed  in  an  attempt 
on  the  latter  fortress.  This  was  the  first  outgeneraling  of  the  Mexicans,  who  never  dreamed 
that  any  one  would  prefer  cutting  around  the  lakes  of  Chalco  and  Xochilmilco  to  going 
between  them  and  the  lake  Tezcuco  upon  the  smooth  highway. 

"Now.  if  the  Mexicans  had  staid  at  the  Penon,  there  would  have  been  little  to  prevent  the 
Americans  from  marching  at  once  into  the  city ;  but,  as  soon  as  the  latter  turned  round  th& 
eastern  end  of  the  lake  of  Chalco  to  reach  San  Augustin,  the  former,  leaving  the  Penon,  went 
round  the  western  end  of  the  lake  of  Xochilmilco  to  head  the  invaders,  and  established 
themselves  at  Churubusco,  San  Antonia,  Contreras — a  very  necessary  change  of  position, 
well  conceived  and  promptly  executed,  and  which  again  placed  the  whole  Mexican  army 
between  Gen.  Scott  and  the  capital. 

"Let  us  now  imagine  ourselves  with  Gen.  Scott,  looking  towards  the  city  of  Mexico,  which 
is  due  north,  and  much  nearer  than  it  was  at  Buena  Vista.  Immediately  in  front  is  a  road 
nearly  straight  leading  to  the  city;  passing  first  through  the  village  of  San  Antonio,  about 
— miles  off;  then  about  — miles  farther,  crossing  the  Churubusco  river,  at  the  village  of  that 
name,  where  there  is  a  large  convent  and  a  bridge,  the  entrance  to  which  is  defended  by  a 
fortification,  called  among  soldiers,  a  UU  du  pont  or  bridge  head.  Beyond  Churubusco,  is 
the  village  of  Los  Portales,  and  beyond  that  the  road  is  a  fair  and  smooth  one  to  the  garita 
of  San  Antonio  Abad,  one  of  the  entrances  into  Mexico.  At  first  sight,  it  would  seem  that 
nothing  was  to  be  done  but  to  march  upon  the  Mexicans  at  San  Antonio—drive  them  to  the 
Chnrubusco  river,  defeat  them  there,  and  hurry  on  to  the  "  Halls  of  the  Montezumas."  But, 
then,  to  the  left  of  Gen.  Scott — whom  we  imagine  to  be  looking  towards  Mexico  from  San 
Augustin — and  almost  at  right  angles  to  the  road  into  the  city,  is  a  body  of  men,  the  flower  of 
the  Mexican  army,  under  Gen.  Valencia— veterans  from  San  Luis  Potosi— men  who  had 
been  in  the  fight  of  the  Buena  Vista. 

"To  have  marched  directly  on  Churubusco  would  have  placed  Valencia  in  Scott's  rear, 
which  would  have  been  at  the  mercy  of  the  Mexican  general ;  and  this  would  never  have 
done.  Therefore,  although  Contreras  was  a  good  deal  out  of  the  way,  and,  although  going 
»  lo  Mexico,  via  Conireras,  was  like  going  to  Philadelphia  via  York,  Pa.,  or  to  Richmond  via 
Norfolk,  there  was  no  help  for  it;  and  to  Contreras  a  force  was  accordingly  sent  to  put 
Valencia  hors  du  combat.  Santa  Anna,  who  saw  that  Valencia  could  do  no  good  under 
such  circumstances,  ordered  him  to  retire  on  Churubusco— which  was  what  he  ought  to 
have  done — to  aid  in  the  stand  which  it  was  intended  to  make  there  against  the  Americans. 
But  Valencia  was  a  fool,  and  preferred  staying  to  be  routed  in  a  battle,  commencing  on  the 
evening  of  ihe  19th  of  August,  by  a  feigned  attack  in  front,  and  followed  up  on  the  morning- 
of  the  20th.  by  an  attack  in  the  rear  that  did  the  business  thoroughly.  This  was  a  fine  move 
on  Scott's  part,  though  it  would  have  been  counteracted  had  Valencia  obeyed  orders  and 
joined  Santa  Anna  either  at  San  Antouio  or  Churubusco.  The  roads  from  Contreras  and 
San  Augustin  to  Mexico,  came  together  at  Churubusco,  forming  a  V,  the  point  of  which  wa» 
at  the  latter  place.  San  Antonio,  as  we  have  seen,  was  between  San  Augustin  and  Churu- 


622          EXPLANATION  OF  BATTLE  GROUNDS. 

busco.  Scott,  marching  on  the  Contreras  road  towards  Mexico,  would,  therefore,  have  got 
into  the  rear  of  Santa  Anna  at  San  Antonio  ;  and  Santa  Anna,  seeing  this,  ordered  the  troops 
at  the  latter  place,  to  Tall  back  on  Churubusco.  And  here  a  word  of  collateral  explanation 
is  necessary.  When  Scolt  reached  San  Augnstin,  he  was  nearer  San  Antonio  than  to  Con- 
treras, and,  therefore,  had  he  sent  his  whoie  force  to  Contreras,  Santa  Anna,  by  advancing 
from  San  Antonio,  could  have  attacked  his  rear  before  Valencia  was  beaten.  In  other 
words,  Scott  would  then  have  been  betweea  Santa  Anna  and  Valencia.  To  prevent  this, 
but  a  part  of  the  American  army  was  seal  to  Contreras,  and  with  the  remainder  San  Augusii  n 
was  held,  and  a  movement  was  made  towards  San  Antonio,  keeping  Santa  Anna  in  check, 
as  it  is  termed.  Thus,  when  the"  force  which  had  beaten  Valencia  advanced  towards  Chu- 
rubusco, there  was  another  force  advancing  on  the  Mexicans  from  San  Agustin  ;  so  that, 
although  Santa  Anna's  order  to  fall  back  from  San  Antonio  on  Churubusco  was  obeyed, 
it  was  not  obeyed  in  time  to  prevent  collision  with  the  Americans. 

••  Had  Valencia  obeyed  Santa  Anna — had  the  force  at  sSan  Antonio  fallen  back  in  lime,  the 
lines  at  Churubusco  would  have  been  held  by  fresh  forces,  in  good  spirits,  behind  excellent 
defences,  and  fighting  in  sight  of  their  homes  and  firesides.  As  it  was,  the  defeat  at  Con- 
treras.  the  conflict  at  San  Antonio,  disheartened  the  Mexicans,  and  they  fought  the  battle  of 
Churubusco  at  a  great  disadvantage.  But  they  fought  well,  notwithstanding.  Up  to  this 
time,  the  game  of  war  had  been  a  succession  of  most  skillful  and  able  moves,  for,  to  deny 
that  Santa  Anna  has  all  the  attributes  of  a  great  general,  is  :dle.  The  next  move  was  the 
battle  of  Churnbusco.  The  Mexicans  were  routed  and  demoralized;  and  no  one  can  doub; 
that  if  Gen.  Scott  had  marched  forward,  instead  of  stopping  at  Los  Portales,  he  would  have 
taken  the  city  of  Mexico  without  further  loss.  We  say  no  one  can  doubt,  because  we  have 
read  the  intercepted  mail  taken  at  Tacubaya.  and  translated  and  published  in  Mexico, 
showing  the  state  of  feeling  in  the  capital  on  the  day  of  the  battle  of  Churubusco.  Our 
purpose,  however,  is  not  to  criticise  the  armistice. 

''  After  fhe  battle  of  Churubusco,  there  was  a  pause.  The  Americans  advanced  to  Tacubaya, 
and  the  Mexicans  remained  in  the  city,  strengthening  their  defences,  and  making  those  prep- 
arations for  a  renewal  of  the  contest,  which  the  armistice  gave  them  an  opportunity  of  doing. 

"The  movement  to.  Tacubaya  was  an  able  one.  It  is  true,  that  from  Churubusco  to  the 
capital,  there  was  an  open  and  undefended  causeway  leading  up  to  the  gate  cf  San  Antonio 
Abad,  and  to  get  to  the  eity  by  way  of  Tacubaya.  was  as  round  about  as  to  get  to  Churu 
busco  from  San  Augnstin  byway  of  Contreras,  for  Churnbusco  is  nearly  due  south  of  Mexico, 
and  Tacubaya  almost  southeast.  But  Tacubaya  is  close  lo  Chapultepec.  and  it  was  neces- 
sary to  take  Cliapultepec  before  attacking  Mexico.  We  have  heard  this  doubted,  but  the 
necessity  was  plain.  If  Mexico  had  been  taken  first,  the  army,  instead  of  retreating  towards 
Guadalupe,  would  have  retired  to  Chapullepec ;  and  to  have  left  Mexico  then,  to  take  the 
fortress,  would,  with  Scott's  small  army,  have  been  10  abandon  the  city  and  the  wounded 
Americans  to  the  leperos.  The  whole  Mexican  army  would  then  have  been  the  garrison  of 
Chapultepec.  As  it  was,  the  army  was  divided  between  the  fortress  and  the  city;  and,  as  it 
was,  it  was  no  child's  play  to  take  Chapultepec. 

•'  Thus  far.  with  the  exception  of  the  armistice,  about  which  there  is  room  for  difference  of 
opinion,  Scott  had  made  not  one  mistake  in  the  valley  of  Mexico.  With  a  most  able  man 
opposed  to  him.  he  had  met  the  emergency.  He  was  now  in  sight  of  the  city,  and  the  next 
thing  was  to  take  it.  There  was  little  room  for  scientific  combinations.  Hard  knocks  were 
to  settle  the  day." 

But  this  armistice  was  only  used  by  Santa  Anna  for  the  purpose  of  re-uniting  his  scattered 
troops,  and  of  throwing  all  their  power  together,  for  a  desperate  defence  of  the  city.  Santa 
Anna  openly  avows  this,  in  a  letter  to  one  of  his  subordinates,  found  afterwards  in  the 
palace  when  the  city  was  captured.  With  the  accustomed  duplicity  and  faithlessness  of 
their  nation,  the  Mexican  commissioners  met  Mr.  Trist.  with  every  appearance  of  fairness,  to 
negociate  a  treaty  of  peace,  but  prolonged  the  discussion  for  every  moment  possible.  In  the 
meantime,  an  assault  was  committed  by  the  Mexican  populace  upon  an  American  train 
proceeding  under  the  authority  of  the  armistice,  into  the  city,  for  provisions.  This  and  other 
outrages  following,  brought  a  letter  from  Gen.  Scott  to  Gen.  Santa  Anna,  lo  which  the  latter, 
having  completed  his  arrangements,  returned  an  answer  of  almost  defiance  and  absolute  in- 
sult, accusing  falsely,  the  American  forces  of  robbing  the  churches,  and  of  every  other  outrage, 
of  which  in  fact,  the  Mexican  forces  were  alone  guilty. — Negotiations  were  broken  offon  the 
6th  of  September,  and  on  the  8lh.  Gen.  Worth  attacked  the  strong  position  of  Molino  del  Key, 
or  King's  Mill,  and  took  it,  but  with  severe  loss  on  both  sides. 
The  following  is  the  official  report  of  the  engagement 


BATTLE  OF  MOLING  DEL  REY. 

REPORT    OF    GENERAL     WORTH. 

HEAD  QUARTERS,  IST  DIVISION,  ) 
Tacubaya,  September  10,  1847.  J 

SIR:  Under  the  inconvenient  circumstances  incident  to  recent  battle,  and  derangement 
from  loss  of  commanders — staff,  commissioned  and  non-commissioned — and  amid  the  active 
scenes  resulting  therefrom,  I  proceed  to  make  a  report,  in  obedience  to  the  orders  of  the  gen- 
eral-in-chief,  of  the  battle  of  El  Molino  del  Rey,  fought  and  won  on  the  eighth  of  September, 
1847,  by  the  first  division,  reinforced  as  follows: 

1st.  Three  squadrons  of  dragoons,  and  one  company  of  mounted  riflemen — 270  men,  under 
Major  Sumrier,  2d  dragoons. 

2d.  Three  pieces  of  field  artillery,  under  Captain  Drum. 

3d.  Two  battering  guns,  (twenty-four  pounders,)  under  Captain  Huger. 

4th.  Cadwalader's  brigade,  784  strong,  consisting  of  the  voltigeur  regiment,  the  llth  and 
14th  regiments  of  infantry. 

Having,  in  the  course  of  the  7th,  accompanied  the  general-in-chief  on  a  reconnoissance  of 
the  formidable  dispositions  of  the  enemy  near  and  around  ihe  castle  of  Chapultepec,  they 
were  found  to  exhibit  an  extended  line  of  cavalry  and  infantry,  sustained  by  a  field  battery 
of  four  guns — occupying  directly,  or  sustaining,  a  system  of  defences  collateral  to  the  castle 
and  summit.  This  examination  gave  fair  observation  of  the  configuration  of  the  grounds,  and 
the  extent  of  the  enemy's  force  ;  but,  as  appeared  in  the  sequel,  an  inadequate  idea  of  the 
nature  of  his  defences — they  being  skillfully  masked. 

The  general-in-chief  ordered  that  my  division,  reinforced  as  before  mentioned,  should 
attack  and  carry  those  lines  and  defences,  capture  the  enemy's  artillery,  destroy  the 
machinery  and  material  supposed  to  be  in  the  foundry,  (El  Molino  del  Rey  ;)  but  limiting  the 
operations  to  that  extent.  After  which,  my  command  was  to  be  immediately  withdrawn  to 
its  position,  in  the  village  of  Tacubaya. 

A  close  and  daring  reconnoissance,  by  Captain  Mason  of  the  engineers,  made  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  7th,  represented  the  enemy's  lines  collateral  to  Chapultepec  to  be  as  follows:  Hi* 
left  rested  upon  and  occupied  a  group  of  strong  stone  buildings,  called  El  Molino  del  Rey, 
adjoining  the.  grove  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  of  Chapultepec,  and  directly  under  the  guns  of  the 
castle  which  crowns  its  summit.  The  right  of  bis  line  rested  upon  another  stone  building, 
called  Casa  Mala,  situated  at  the  foot  of  the  ridge  that  slopes  gradually  from  the  heights  above 
the  village  of  Tacubaya  to  the  plain  below.  Midway  between  these  buildings  was  the 
enemy's  field  battery,  and  his  infantry  forces  were  disposed  on  either  side  to  support  it. 
This  reconnoissance  was  verified  by  Captain  Mason  and  Colonel  Duncan,  on  the  afternoon 
of  the  same  day.  The  result  indicated  that  the  centre  was  the  •weak  point  of  the  enemy's 
position ;  and  that  his  flanks  were  the  strong  points,  his  left  flank  being  the  stronger. 

As  the  enemy's  system  of  defence  was  connected  with  the  hill  and  castle  of  Chapultepec, 
and  as  my  operations  were  limited  to  a  specific  object,  it  became  necessary  to  isolate  the 
•work  to  be  accomplished  from  the  castle  of  Chapultepec  and  its  immediate  defences. 
To  effect  this  object,  the  following  dispositions  were  ordered :  Colonel  Garland's  brigade  to- 
take  possession  on  the  right,  strengthened  by  two  pieces  of  Captain  Drum's  battery,  to  look 
to  El  Molino  del  Rey  as  well  as  any  support  of  this  position  from  Chapultepec ;  and  also 
within  sustaining  distance  of  the  assaulting  party  and  the  battering  guns,  which,  under 
Captain  Huger,  were  placed  on  the  ridge,  five  or  six  hundred  yards  from  El  Molino  del  Rey, 
to  batter  and  loosen  this  position  from  Chapultepec.  An  assaulting  party  of  five  hundred 
picked  men  and  officers,  under  command  of  Brevet  Major  George  Wright,  8lh  infantry,  was 
also  posted  on  the  ridge  to  the  left  of  the  battering  guns,  to  force  the  enemy's  centre.  The  2d 
(Clarke's)  brigade,  the  command  of  which  devolved  on  Colonel  Mclntosh,  (Colonel  Clarke 
being  sick,)  with  Duncan's  battery,  was  to  take  post  further  up  the  ridge,  opposite  the 
enemy's  right,  to  look  to  our  left  flank,  to  sustain  the  assaulting  column  if  necessary,  or  to 
discomfit  the  enemy,  (the  ground  being  favorable,)  as  circumstances  might  require.  Cad- 
walader's brigade  was  held  in  reserve,  in  a  position  on  the  ridge,  between  the  battering  guns 
and  Mclntosh's  brigade,  and  in  easy  support  of  either.  The  cavalry,  under  Major  Sumner, 
to  envelop  our  extreme  left,  and  be  governed  by  circumstances — to  repel  or  attack,  as  the 
commander's  judgment  might  su-jgest.  The  troops  to  be  put  in  position  under  cover  of  the 
night;  and  the  work  to  begin  as  soon  as  the  heavy  metal  could  be  properly  directed. 
Colonel  Duncan  was  charged  with  the  general  disposition  of  the  artillery.  Accordingly,  al 
3  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  8th,  the  several  columns  were  put  in  motion,  oil  as  many 
different  routes;  and  when  the  gray  of  the  morning  enabled  them  to  be  seen,  they  were  as 


624  BATTLE  OF  MOLING  DEL  KEY. 

accurately  in  position  as  if  posted  in  mill  day  for  review.  The  early  dawn  was  the  moment 
appointed  for  the  attack,  which  was  announced  to  our  troops  by  the  opening  of  Huger's  gtms 
on  El  Molino  del  Key,  upon  which  they  continued  to  play  actively  until  this  point  of  the 
enemy's  line  became  sensibly  shaken;  when  the  assaulting  party,  commanded  by  Wright, 
and  guided  by  that  accomplished  officer,  Captain  Mason  of  the  engineers,  assisted  by  Lieu- 
tenant Foster,  dashed  gallantly  forward  to  the  assault.  Unshaken  by  the  galling  of  the 
musketry  and  canister  that  was  showered  upon  them,  on  they  rushed,  driving  infantry  and 
artillery-men  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  The  enemy's  field  battery  was  taken,  and  his  own 
guns  were  trailed  upon  his  retreating  masses;  before,  however,  they  could  be  discharged, 
perceiving  that  he  had  been  dispossessed  of  his  strong  position  by  comparatively  a  handful 
of  men,  he  made  a  desperate  effort  to  regain  it.  Accordingly,  his  retreating  forces  rallied 
and  formed,  with  this  object.  Aided  by  the  infantry,  which  covered  the  housetops  (within 
reach  of  which  the  battery  had  been  moved  during  the  night),  the  enemy's  whole  line  opened 
upon  the  assaulting  party  u  terrific  fire  of  musketry,  which  struck  down  eleven  out  of  the 
fourteen  officers  that  composed  the  command,  and  non-commissioned  officers  and  men  in 
proportion  ;  including,  amongst  the  officers,  Brevet  Major  Wright,  the  commander ;  Captain 
Mason  and  Lieutenant  Foster,  engineers:  al]  severely  wounded.  This  severe  shock  stag- 
gered, for  a  moment,  that  gallant  band.  The  light  battalion,  held  to  cover  Captain  Huger's 
imttery,  under  Captain  E.  Kirby  Smith.  (Lieutenant  Colonel  Smith  being  sick,)  and  the  right 
wing  of  Cadwalader's  brigade,  were  promptly  ordered  forward  to  support,  which  order  was 
executed  in  the  most  gallant  style;  the  enemy  was  again  routed,  and  this  point  of  his  line 
carried,  and  fully  possessed  by  our  troops.  In  the  meantime,  Garland's  (1st)  brigade,  ably 
sustained  by  Captain  Drum's  artillery,  assaulted  the  enemy's  left,  and  after  an  obstinate  and 
very  severe  contest,  drove  him  from  his  apparently  impregnable  position,  immediately  under 
the  guns  of  the  castle  of  Chapultepec.  Drum's  section,  and  the  battering  guns  under  Captain 
Huger,  advanced  to  the  enemy's  position,  and  the  captured  guns  of  the.  enemy  were  now 
opened  on  his  retreating  forces,  on  which  they  continued  to  fire  until  beyond  their  reach. 
While  this  work  was  in  progress  of  accomplishment  by  our  centre  and  right,  our  troops 
on  the  left  were  not  idle.  Duncan's  battery  opened  on  the  right  of  the  enemy's  line,  up  to 
this  time  engaged ;  and  the  2d  brigade,  under  Colonel  Mclntosh,  was  now  ordered  to 
assault  the  extreme  right  of  the  enemy's  line.  The  direction  of  this  brigade  soon  caused  it 
lo  mask  Duncan's  battery — the  fire  of  which,  for  the  moment,  was  discontinued,  and  the  brig- 
ade moved  steadily  on  to  the  assault  of  Casa  Mala,  which,  instead  of  an  ordinary  field 
entrenchment,  as  was  supposed,  proved  to  be  a  strong  stone  citadel,  surrounded  with 
bastioned  entrenchments  and  impassable  ditches — an  old  Spanish  work,  recently  repaired 
•and  enlarged.  When  within  easy  musket  range,  the  enemy  opened  a  most  deadly  fire  upon 
our  advancing  troops,  which  was  kept  up,  without  intermission,  until  our  gallant  men  reached 
the  very  slope  of  the  parapet  of  the  work  that  surrounds  the  citadel.  By  this  time  a  large 
proportion  of  the  command  were  either  killed  or  wounded,  amongst  whom,  were  the  three 
senior  officers  present — Brevet  Colonel  Mclntosh,  Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel  Scott,  of  the  5th 
infantry,  and  Major  Waite,  8th  infantry ;  the  second  killed,  and  the  first  and  last  desperately 
wounded.  Still,  the  fire  from  the  citadel  was  unabated.  In  this  crisis  of  the  attack,  the  com- 
mand was.  momentarily,  thrown  itito  disorder,  and  fell  back  on  the  left  of  Duncan's  battery, 
where  they  rallied.  As  the  2d  brigade  moved  to  the  assault,  a  very  large  cavalry  and 
infantry  force  was  discovered  approaching  rapidly  upon  our  left  flank,  to  reinforce  the 
enemy's  right.  As  soon  as  Duncan's  battery  was  masked,  as  before  mentioned,  supported  by 
Andrews'  voltigeurs  of  Cadwalader's  brigade,  it  moved  promptly  to  the  extreme  left  of  our 
line,  to  check  the  threatened  assault  on  this  point.  The  enemy's  cavalry  came,  rapidly, 
within  canister  range,  when  the  whole  battery  opened  a  most  effective  fire,  which  soon  broke 
the  squadrons,  and  drove  them  back  in  disorder.  During  this  fire  upon  the  enemy's  cavalry, 
Major  Sumner's  command  moved  to  the  front,  and  changed  direction  in  admirable  order, 
under  a  most  appalling  fire  from  Casa  Ma!a.  This  movement  enabled  his  command  to  cross 
the  ravine  immediately  on  the  left  of  Duncan's  battery,  where  it  remained,  doing  noble 
service,  until  the  close  of  the  action.  At  the  very  moment  the  cavalry  were  driven  beyond 
reach,  our  own  troops  drew  back  from  before  the  Casa  Mata,  and  enabled  the  guns  of 
Duncan's  battery  to  re6pen  upon  this  position;  which,  after  a  short  and  well-directed  fire, 
the  enemy  abandoned.  The  guns  of  the  battery  were  now  turned  npon  his  retreating 
columns,  and  continued  to  play  upon  them  until  beyond  reach. 

He  was  now  driven  from  every  point  in  the  field,  and  his  strong  lines,  which  had  certainly 
been  defended  well,  were  in  our  possession.    In  fulfillment  of  the  instructions  of  the  general- 


RECONNOISSANCE  OF  THE  CITY  GATES.  625 

in-chief,  the  Casta  Mata  was  blown  up,  and  such  of  the  captured  ammunition  as  was  useless 
!o  us,  as  well  as  the  cannon  moulds  found  in  El  Molino  del  Rey,  were  destroyed.  After 
which,  my  command,  under  the  reiterated  orders  of  the  general-in-chief,  returned  to  quarters 
at  Tacubaya,  with  three  of  the  enemy's  four  guns,  (the  fourth  having  been  spiked,  waa 
rendered  unserviceable,)  as  also  a  large  quantity  of  small  arras,  with  gun  and  musket 
ammunition,  and  exceeding  eight  hundred  prisoners,  including  fifty-two  commissioned 
officers. 

By  the  concurrent  testimony  of  a  prisoner,  the  enemy's  force  exceeded  fourteen  thousand 
men,  commanded  by  General  Sauta  Anna  in  person.  His  total  loss,  killed,  (including  the 
2d  and  3d  in  command,  Generals  Valdarez  and  Leon,)  wounded  and  prisoners,  amounts  to 
three  thousand,  exclusive  of  some  two  thousand  who  deserted  after  the  rout. 

My  command,  reinforced  as  before  stated,  only  reached  three  thousand  one  hundred  men 
of  all  arms.  The  contest  continued  two  hours,  and  its  severity  is  painfully  attested  by  our 
heavy  loss  of  officers,  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  including  in  the  first  two 
classes  some  of  the  brightest  ornaments  of  the  service.  *»*»*«» 

Accompanying  is  a  tabular  statement  of  casualties,  with  lists,  by  name,  of  rank  and  file 
killed,  viz;  nine  officers  killed,  and  forty-nine  wounded;  seven  hundred  and  twenty-nine 
rank  and  file  killed  and  wounded.  ***»*«***«* 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  J.  WORTH, 
Brevet  Major  General  Commanding. 

To  Capt.  SCOTT,  A-  A,  Adj.  Gen.,  head-quarters. 


REPORT  OF   MAJ.  GEN.  SCOTT, 

OF  THE   BATTLE  OF  CHAPULTEPEC,  AND  THE  ASSAULT 
UPON   AND   CAPTURE  OF  THE  CITY  OF  MEXICO. 


{No.  34.]  HEADQUARTERS  or  THE  ARMT,  ) 

National  Palace  of  Mexico,  Sept.  IS,  1847.  5 

SIB—  At  the  end  of  another  series  of  arduous  and  brilliant  operations,  of  more  than  forty- 
eight  hours'  continuance,  this  glorious  army  hoisted  on  the  morning  of  the  14th,  the  colors  of 
the  United  States  on  the  walls  of  this  palace. 

The  victory  of  the  8th  at  the  Molino  del  Rey,  was  followed  by  daring  reconnoissances,  on 
the  part  of  our  distinguished  engineers — Capt.  Lee,  lieutenants  Beauregard,  Stevens,  and 
Tower — Major  Smith,  senior,  being  sick,  and  Capt.  Mason,  third  in  rank,  being  wounded. — 
Their  operations  were  directed  principally  to  the  south — towards  the  gates  of  Piedad,  San 
Angel  (Nino  Perdido)  San  Antonio,  and  the  Paseo  de  la  Viga. 

This  city  stands  on  a  slight  swell  of  ground,  near  the  centre  of  an  irregular  basin,  and  is 
girdled  with  a  ditch  in  its  greater  extent — a  navigable  canal  of  great  breadth  and  depth — very 
difficult  to  bridge,  in  the  presence  of  an  enemy,  and  serving  at  once  for  drainage,  custom-house 
purposes,  and  military  defence — leaving  eight  entrances  of  gates,  over  arches;  each  of  which 
we  found  defended  by  a  system  of  strong  works,  that  seemed  to  require  nothing  but  some  men 
and  guns,  to  be  impregnable.  Outside  and  within  the  cross-fires  of  those  gates  we  found  to 
the  south,  other  obstacles,  but  little  less  formidable.  All  the  approaches  near  the  city,  are 
over  elevated  causeways,  cut  in  many  places  (to  oppose  us),  and  flanked  on  both  sides  by 
ditches,  also  of  unusual  dimensions.  The  numerous  cross-roads  are  flanked  in  like  manner, 
having  bridges  at  the  intersections,  recently  broken.  The  meadows  thus  chequered,  are 
moreover,  in  many  spols  under  water,  or  marshy:  for  it  will  be  remembered,  we  were  in  the 
midst  of  the  wet  season,  though  with  less  rain  than  usual,  and  we  could  not  wait  for  the  fall 
of  the  neighboring  lakes,  and  the  consequent  drainage  of  the  wet  grounds  at  the  edge  of  th« 
city — the  lowest  in  the  whole  basin. 

After  a  close  personal  survey  of  the  southern  gates,  covered  by  Pillow's  division  and  Ri- 
ley's  brigade  of  Twiggs',  with  four  times  our  numbers  concentrated  in  front,  I  determined  on 
the  llth,  to  avoid  that  net-work  of  obstacles,  and  to  seek,  by  a  sudden  inversion  to  the  south- 
west and  west,  less  unfavorable  approaches.  To  economise  the  lives  of  our  gallant  officers 
and  men,  as  well  na  to  insure  success,  it  became  indispensable  that  this  resolution  should  be 

40 


626  BATTLE  OF  CHAPULTEPEC. 

long  masked  from  the  enemy;  and  again,  that  the  new  movement,  when  discoyered,  should 
be  mistaken  for  a  feint,  and  the  old  as  indicating  our  true  and  ultimate  point  of  attack. — Ac- 
cordingly, on  the  spot,  the  llth,  I  ordered  Quitman's  division  from  Coyoacan,  to  join  Pillow, 
by  daylight,  before  the  southern  gates,  and  then,  that  the  two  major  generals,  with  their  divis- 
ions,  should,  by  night,  proceed  (two  miles)  to  join  me  at  Tacubaya,  where  I  was  quartered  with 
Worth's  division.  Twiggs,  with  Riley's  brigade,  and  captains  Taylor's  and  Sleptoe's  field 
batteries — the  latter  of  twelve-pounders — was  left  in  front  of  those  gates,  to  manoeuvre,  to 
threaten,  or  to  make  false  attacks,  in  order  to  occupy  and  deceive  the  enemy.  Twiggs1  other 
brigade  (Smith's),  was  left  at  supporting  distance,  in  the  rear,  at  San  Angel,  till  the  morning 
of  the  13th,  and  also  to  support  our  general  depot  at  Miscoac.  The  stratagem  against  the 
south  was  admirably  executed  throughout  the  12lh,  and  down  to  the  afternoon  of  the  13th, 
when  it  was  too  late  for  the  enemy  to  recover  from  the  effect  of  his  delusion. 

The  first  step  in  the  new  movement  was  to  carry  Chapultepec,  a  natural  and  isolated  mound, 
of  great  elevation,  strongly  fortified  at  its  base,  on  its  acclivities,  and  heights.  Besides  a  nu- 
merous garrison,  here  was  the  military  college  of  the  republic,  with  a  large  number  of  sub- 
lieutenants, and  other  students.  Those  works  were  within  direct  gun-shot  of  the  village  of 
Tacubaya,  and,  until  carried,  we  could  not  approach  the  city  on  the  west,  without  making  a 
circuit  too  wide  and  too  hazardous. 

In  the  course  of  the  same  night  (that  of  the  llth),  heavy  batteries,  •within  easy  ranges  were 
established.  No.  1,  on  our  right,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Drum,  4th  artillery  (relieved 
late  next  day,  for  some  hours,  by  Lieut.  Andrews,  of  the  3d),  and  No.  2,  commanded  by  Lieut, 
Hagner,  ordnance — both  supported  by  Quitman's  division — Nos.  3  and  4,  on  the  opposite,  sup- 
ported by  Pillow's  division,  were  commanded,  the  former  by  Capt  Brooks  and  Lieut.  S.  S. 
Anderson,  2d  artillery,  alternately,  and  the  latter  by  Lieut.  Stone,  ordnance.  The  batteries 
weie  traced  by  Capt.  Huger,  and  Capt.  Lee.  engineer,  and  constructed  by  them,  with  the  able 
assistance  of  the  young  officers  of  those  corps  and  the  artillery. 

To  prepare  for  an  assault,  it  was  foreseen,  that  the  play  of  the  batteries  might  run  into  the 
second  day;  but  recent  captures  had  not  only  trebled  our  siege  pieces,  but  also  our  ammuni- 
tion, and  we  knew  that  we  should  greatly  augment  both,  by  carrying  the  place.  I  was, 
therefore,  in  no  haste  in  ordering  an  assault  before  the  works  were  well  crippled  by  our  mis- 
eileo. — The  bombardment  and  cannonade,  under  the  direction  of  Capt.  Huger,  were  commen- 
ced early  in  the  morning  of  the  12th.  Before  nightfall,  which  necessarily  stopped  our  batte- 
ries, we  perceived  that  a  good  impression  had  been  made  on  the  castle  and  its  outworks,  and 
that  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  had  remained  outside,  towards  the  city,  from  an  early  hour,  to 
avoid  our  fire,  and  to  be  at  hand  on  its  cessation,  in  order  to  reinforce  the  garrison  against  an 
assault.  The  same  outside  force  was  discovered  the  next  morning,  after  our  batteries  had  re- 
opened upon  the  city,  by  which  we  again  reduced  its  garrison  to  the  minimum  needed  for 
the  guns. 

Pillow  and  Quitman  had  been  in  position  since  early  in  the  night  of  the  llth.  Major  Gen. 
Worth  was  now  ordered  to  hold  his  division  in  reserve,  near  the  foundry,  to  support  Pillow ; 
and  Brig.  Gen.  Smith,  of  Twiggs'  division,  had  just  arrived,  with  his  brigade,  from  Piedad 
(two  miles),  to  support  Quitman.  Twiggs'  guns,  before  the  southern  gates,  again  reminded 
us,  as  they  did  before,  that  he,  with  Riley's  brigade,  and  Taylor's,  and  Steptoe's  batteries, -was 
in  activity,  threatening  the  southern  gates,  and  there  holding  a  great  part  of  the  Mexican  army 
on  the  defensive. — Worth's  division  furnished  Pillow's  attack  with  an  assaulting  party  of  two 
hundred  and  fifty  volunteer  officers  and  men,  under  Capt.  McKenzie,  of  the  3d  artillery ;  and 
Twiggs'  division  supplied  a  similar  one.  commanded  by  Capt.  Casey,  2d  infantry,  to  Quitman. 
Each  of  those  little  columns  was  furnished  with  scaling  ladders. — The  signal  I  had  appointed 
for  the  attack,  was  the  momentary  cessation  of  the  fire  of  our  heavy  batteries.  About  eight 
o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  13th,  judging  that  the  time  had  arrived,  by  the  effect  of  the  mis- 
siles we  had  thrown,  I  sent  an  aid-de-camp  to  Pillow,  and  another  to  Quitman,  with  notice  that 
the  concerted  signal  was  about  to  be  given.  Both  columns  now  advanced  with  an  alacrity 
that  gave  assurance  of  prompt  success.  The  batteries,  seizing  opportunities,  threw  shot  and 
shells  upon  the  enemy,  over  the  heads  of  our  men,  with  good  effect,  particularly  at  every 
attempt  to  reinforce  the  works  from  without,  to  meet  our  assault.  Maj.  Gen.  Pillow's  approach, 
on  the  west  side,  lay  through  an  open  grove,  filled  with  sharpshooters,  who  were  speedily  dis- 
lodged ;  when,  being  up  with  the  front  of  the  attack,  and  emerging  into  an  open  space,  at  the 
foot  of  a  rocky  acclivity,  that  gallant  leader  was  struck  down  by  an  agonizing  wound.  Th«- 
immediate  command  devolved  on  Brig.  Gen.  Cadwalader,  in  the  absence  of  the  senior  bri- 
gadier (Pierce)  of  same  division,  an  invalid  since  the  events  of  August  19th 


BATTLE  OF  CHAPULTEPEC.  627 

On  a  previous  call  of  Pillow,  Worth  had  just  sent  him  a  reinforcement— Col.  Clark's  bri- 
gade. The  broken  acclivity  was  still  to  be  ascended,  and  a  strong  redoubt,  midway,  to  be 
carried,  before  reaching  the  castle  on  the  heights.  The  advance  of  our  brave  men,  led  by 
brave  officers,  though  necessarily  slow,  was  unwavering,  over  rocks,  chasms,  and  mines, 
and  under  the  hottest  fire  of  cannon  and  musketry.  The  redoubt  now  yielded  to  their  resist- 
less valor,  and  the  shouts  that  followed,  announced  to  the  castle  the  fate  that  impended.  The 
enemy  were  steadily  driven  from  shelter  to  shelter.  The  retreat  allowed  not  time  to  fire  a 
single  mine,  without  the  certainty  of  blowing  up  friend  and  foe.  Those,  who,  at  a  distance, 
attempted  to  apply  matches  to  the  long  trains,  were  shot  down  by  our  men.  There  was  death 
below,  as  well  as  above  ground.  At  length  the  ditch  and  wall  of  the  main  work  weie  reached ; 
the  scaling-ladders  were  brought  up  and  planted  by  the  storming  parties;  some  of  the  daring 
spirits,  first  in  the  assault,  were  cast  down,  killed,  or  wounded ;  but  a  lodgment  was  soon 
made ;  streams  of  heroes  followed ;  all  opposition  was  overcome,  and  several  of  our  regi- 
mental colors  flung  out  from  the  upper  walls,  amid  long-continued  shouts  and  cheers,  which 
eent  dismay  into  the  capital.  No  scene  could  have  been  more  animating  or  glorious. 

Maj.  Gen.  Quitman,  nobly  supported  by  brigadier  generals  Shields  and  Smith  (P.  F.),  his 
other  officers  and  men,  was  up  with  the  part  assigned  him.  Simultaneously  with  the  move- 
ment on  the  west,  he  had  gallantly  approached  the  south-east  of  the  same  works  over  a 
causeway,  with  cuts  and  batteries,  and  defended  by  an  army  strongly  posted  outside,  to  the 
cast  of  the  works.  These  formidable  obstacles  Quitman  had  to  face,  with  but  little  shelter 
for  his  troops,  or  space  for  manoeuvering.  Deep  ditches,  flanking  the  causeway  made  it  diffi- 
cult to  cross,  on  either  side,  into  the  adjoining  meadows,  and  these  again  were  intersected  by 
other  ditches.  Smith  and  his  brigade  had  been  early  thrown  out  to  make  a  sweep  to  the  right, 
in  order  to  present  a  front  against  the  enemy's  line  (outside),  and  to  turn  the  two  intervening 
batteries,  near  the  foot  of  Chapultepec.  This  movement  was  also  intended  to  support  Quit- 
man's  storming  parties,  both  on  the  causeway.  The  first  of  these,  furnished  by  Twiggs'  divis- 
ion, was  commanded  in  succession,  by  Capt.  Casey,  2d  inf.,  and  Capt.  Paul,  7th  inf.,  after  Casey 
had  been  severely  wounded ;  and  the  second,  originally  under  the  gallant  Major  Twiggs, 
marine  corps,  killed,  and  then  Capt.  Miller,  2d  Pennsylvania  volunteers.  The  storming  party, 
now  commanded  by  Capt.  Paul,  seconded  by  Capt.  Roberts,  of  the  rifles,  Lieut.  Stewart,  and 
others  of  the  same  regiment,  Smith's  brigade,  carried  the  two  batteries  in  the  road,  took  some 
guns,  with  many  prisoners,  and  drove  the  enemy  posted  behind  in  support.  The  New  York 
and  South  Carolina  volunteers  (Shields'  brigade),  and  the  2d  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  all  on 
the  left  of  Quitman's  line,  together  with  portions  of  his  storming  parties,  crossed  the  mead- 
ows in  front,  under  a  heavy  fire,  and  entered  the  outer  enclosure  of  Chapultepec,  just  in  time 
to  join  in  the  final  assault  from  the  west. 

Besides  Major  Generals  Pillow  and  Quitman,  Brigadier  Generals  Shields,  Smith  and  Cau> 
walader,  the  following  are  the  officers  and  corps  most  distinguished  in  those  brilliant  opera- 
tions : — The  voltiguer  regiment,  in  two  detachments,  commanded,  respectively,  by  Col.  An- 
drews and  Lieut.  Col.  Johnstone — the  latter  mostly  in  the  lead,  accompanied  by  Major  Cald- 
•well ;  Capts.  Barnard  and  Biddle,  of  the  same  regiment — the  former  the  first  to  plant  a  regi- 
mental color,  and  the  latter  among  the  first  in  the  assault ;  the  storming  parly  of  Worth's 
division,  under  Capt.  McKenzie,  2d  artillery,  with  Lieut.  Seldon,  8th  infantry,  early  on  the 
ladder  and  badly  wounded;  Lieut.  Armistead,  6th  infantry,  the  first  to  leap  into  the  ditch  to 
plant  a  ladder ;  Lieuts.  Roger?  of  the  4th,  and  J.  P.  Smith  of  the  5th  infantry,  both  mortally 
wounded  ;  the  9th  infantry,  under  Col.  Ransom,  who  was  killed  while  gallantly  leading  that 
gallant  regiment;  the  15th  infantry,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Howard  and  Maj.  Woods,  with  Capt. 
Chase,  whose  company  gallantly  carried  the  redoubt,  midway  up  the  acclivity  ;  Col  Clarke'* 
brigade,  (Worth's  division),  consisting  of  the  5th,  8lh,  and  part  of  the  6th  regiments  of  infantry, 
commanded,  respectively,  by  Capt.  Chapman,  Major  Montgomery  and  Lieut  Edward  John- 
son, the  latter  specially  noticed,  with  Lieuts.  Longstreet,  (badly  wounded — advancing — colon 
in  hand),  Pickett  and  Merchant,  the  last  three  of  the  8th  infantry  :  portions  of  the  U.  S.  ma< 
rines,  New  York.  South  Carolina,  and  2d  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  which  delayed  with  their 
division  (Quitman's)  by  the  hot  engagement  below,  arrived  just  in  time  to  participate  in  the 
assault  of  the  heights— particularly  a  detachment,  under  Lieut.  Ried,  New  York  volunteer^ 
consisting  of  a  company  of  the  same,  with  one  of  marines ;  and  another  detachment,  a  por 
tion  of  the  storming  party.  (Twiggs'  division,  serving  with  Quilman),  under  Lieut.  Steele,  2d 
infantry — after  the  fall  of  Lieut.  Grant,  7th  infantry. 

In  this  connexion,  it  is  but  just  to  recall  the  decisive  effect  of  the  heavy  batteries,  Nog.  1,  2, 
3  and  4,  commanded  by  those  excellent  officers,  Capt.  Drum,  4th  artillery,  assisted  by  Lieuts 


628  ATTACK  UPON  THE  CITY. 

Benjamin  and  Porter  of  his  own  company ;  Capt.  Brooks  and  Lieut.  Anderson,  2d  artillery, 
assisted  by  Lieut.  Russell.  4th  infantry,  a  volunteer;  Lieuts.  Hagner  and  Stone, of  the  ord- 
nance, and  Lieut.  Andrews,  3d  artillery — the  whole  superintended  by  Capt.  Huger,  chief 
of  ordnance — an  officer  distinguished  by  every  kind  of  merit.  The  mountain  how- 
itzer battery,  under  Lieut.  Reno,  of"  the  ordnance,  deserves,  also,  to  be  particularly  men- 
tioned. Attached  to  the  voltiguers,  it  followed  the  movements  of  that  regiment,  and  again 
•won  applause. 

In  adding  to  the  list  of  individuals  of  conspicuous  merit,  I  must  limit  myself  to  a  few  of  the 
many  names  which  might  be  enumerated: — Capt.  Hooker,  assistant  adjutant  general,  who 
won  special  applause  successively  in  the  staff  of  Pillow  and  Cadwalader;  Lieut.  Lovell, 
4th  artillery,  (wounded),  chief  of  Quitman's  staff;  Capt.  Page,  assistant  adjutant  general, 
(wounded),  and  Lieut.  Hammond.  3d  artillery,  both  of  Shields'  staff;  and  Lieut.  Van  Dora, 
7th  infantry,  aid-de-camp  to  Brig.  Gen.  Smith. 

These  operations  all  occurred  on  the  west,  south-east,  and  heights  of  Chapultepec.  To  the 
north,  and  at  the  base  of  the  mound,  inaccessible  on  that  side,  the  lllh  infantry,  under  Lieut. 
Col.  Herbert,  the  4th,  under  Col.  Trousdale,  and  Capt.  Magruders  field  battery,  1st  artillery — 
one  section  advanced  under  Lieut.  Jackson — all  of  Pillow's  division — had,  at  the  same  time, 
some  spirited  affairs  against  superior  numbers,  driving  the  enemy  from  a  battery  in  the  road, 
and  capturing  a  gun.  In  these  the  officers  and  corps  named  gained  merited  praise.  Col. 
Trousdale,  the  commander,  though  twice  wounded,  continued  on  duty  till  the  heights  were 
carried. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  13th.  I  repeated  the  orders  of  the  night  before  to  Maj.,Gen. 
Worth,  to  be  with  his  division  at  hand,  to  support  the  movement  of  Maj.Gen.  Pillow  from  our 
left.  The  latter  seems  soon  to  have  called  for  that  entire  division,  standing  momentarily  in 
reserve,  and  Worth  sent  him  Col.  Clarke's  brigade.  The  call,  if  not  unnecessary,  was,  at 
least,  under  the  circumstances,  unknown  to  me  at  the  time  ;  for.  soon  observing  the  very  large 
body  of  the  enemy  in  the  road  in  front  of  Maj.  Gen.  Quitman's  right,  was  reinforcements  from 
the  city — less  than  a  mile  and  a  half  to  the  east — I  sent  instructions  to  Worth,  on  our  opposite 
flank,  to  turn  Chapultepec  with  his  division,  and  to  proceed,  cautiously,  by  the  road  at  its 
northern  base,  in  order,  if  not  met  by  very  superior  numbers,  to  threaten  or  to  attack  in  rear, 
that  body  of  the  enemy.  The  movement,  it  was  also  believed,  could  not  fail  to  distract  and 
to  intimidate  the  enemy  generally. 

Worth  promptly  advanced  with  his  remaining  brigade — Col.  Garland's — Lieut.  Col.  C.  F- 
Smith's  light  battalion,  Lieut.  Col.  Duncan's  field  battery — all  of  his  division — and  three 
squadrons  of  dragoons,  under  Major  Sumner,  which  1  had  just  ordered  up  to  join  in  the  move- 
ment. 

Having  turned  the  fortress  on  the  west,  and  arriving  opposite  to  the  north  centre  of  Chapul- 
tepec, Worth  came  up  with  the  troops  in  the  road7under  Col.  Trousdale,  and  aided  by  a  flank 
movement  of  a  part  of  Garland's  brigade  in  taking  the  one-gun  breastwork,  then  under  the 
fire  of  Lieut.  Jackson's  section  of  Capt.  Magruder's  field  battery.  Continuing  to  advance,  this 
division  passed  Chapultepec,  attacking  the  right  of  the  enemy's  line,  resting  on  that  road, 
about  the  moment  of  the  general  retreat  consequent  upon  the  capture  of  the  formidable  castle 
and  its  outworks.  Arriving  some  minutes  later,  and  mounting  to  the  top  of  the  castle,  the 
whole  field,  to  the  east,  lay  plainly  under  my  view. 

There  are  two  routes  from  Chapullepec  to  the  capital — the  one  on  the  right  entering  the 
same  gale,  Belen,  with  the  road  from  the  south,  via  Piedad ;  and  the  other  obliquing  to  the  left, 
to  intersect  the  great  western,  or  San  Cosme  road,  in  a  suburb  outside  of  the  gate  of  San 
Cosme.  Each  of  these  routes  (an  elevated  causeway)  presents  a  double  roadway  on  the  sides 
of  an  aqueduct  of  strong  masonry,  and  great  height,  resting  on  open  arches  and  massive  pil- 
lars, which,  together,  afford  fine  points  both  for  attack  and  defence.  The  sideways  of  both 
aqueducts,  are,  moreover,  defended  by  many  strong  breastworks  at  the  gates,  and  before 
reaching  them.  As  we  had  expected,  we  found  the  four  tracks  unusually  dry  and  solid  for 
the  season. 

Worth  and  Quitman  were  prompt  in  pursuing  the  retreating  enemy — th*»  former  by  the  San 
Cosme  aqueduct,  and  the  latter  along  that  of  Belen.  Each  had  now  advanced  some  hundred 
yards.  Deeming  it  al'i-tonportant  to  profit  by  our  successes,  and  the  consequent  dismay  of  the 
enemy,  which  could  not  be  otherwise  than  general,  I  hastened  to  dispatch  from  Chapultepec, 
first  Clarke's  brigade,  and  then  Cadwalader's,  to  the  support  of  Worth,  and  gave  orders  that 
the  necessary  heavy  guns  should  follow.  Picrce's  brigade  was,  at  the  same  time,  sent  to 
Quitman,  and,  in  the  course  of  the  afternoon,  I  caused  some  additional  siege  pieces  to  be  ad- 


AMERICAN  ARMY  IN  THE  CITY  OF  MEXICO.  629 

ded  to  his  tram.  Then,  after  designating  the  15th  infantry,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Howard— Mor- 
gan, the  colonel,  had  been  disabled  by  a  wound  at  Churubusco— as  the  garrison  of  Chapulte- 
pcc.  and  giving  directions  for  the  care  of  the  prisoners  of  war,  the  captured  ordnance  and 
ordnance  stores,  I  proceeded  to  join  the  advance  of  Worth,  within  the  suburb,  and  beyond 
the  turn  at  the  junction  of  the  aqueduct  with  the  great  highway  from  the  west  to  the  gates  of 
San  Cosme. 

At  this  junction  of  roads,  we  first  passed  one  of  those  formidable  systems  of  city  defences, 
spoken  of  above,  and  it  had  not  a  gun  ;— a  strong  proof— 1.  That  the  enemy  had  expected  us 
to  fail  in  the  attack  upon  Chapultepec,  even  if  we  meant  anything  more  than  a  feint;  2.  That 
jn  either  case,  we  designed,  in  his  belief,  to  return  and  double  our  forces  against  the  southern 
gates— a  delusion  kept  up- by  the  active  demonstrations  of  Tvviggs  aud  the  forces  posted  on 
that  side  ;  and,  3.  That  advancing  rapidly  from  the  reduction  of  Chapultepec,  the  enemy  had 
not  time  to  shift  guns — our  previous  captures  had  left  him,  comparatively,  but  few — from  the 
southern  gales. 

Within  those  disgarmshed  works,  I  found  our  troops  engaged  in  a  street  fight  against  the 
enemy  posted  in  gardens,  at  windows,  and  on  house-tops — all  flat — with  parapets.  Worth  or- 
dered forward  the  mountain  howitzers  of  Cadwalader's  brigade,  preceded  by  skirmishers  and 
pioneers,  with  pick-axes  and  crow  bars,  to  force  windows  and  doors,  or  to  burrow  through 
•walls.  The  assailants  were  soon  in  an  equality  of  position  fatal  to  the  enemy.  By  eight  o'clock 
in  the  evening,  Worth  had  carried  two  batteries  in  this  suburb.  According  to  my  instruc- 
tions, he  here  posted  guards  and  sentinels,  and  placed  his  troops  under  shelter  for  night. — 
There  was  but  one  more  obstacle  ;  the  San  Cosme  gale  (custom-house)  between  him  and  the 
great  square  in  front  of  the  cathedral  and  palace — the  heart  of  the  city;  and  that  barrier,  it 
•was  known,  could  not  by  daylight,  resist  our  siege  guns  thirty  minutes. 

I  had  gone  back  to  the  foot  of  Chapultepec,  the  point  from  which  the  two  aqueducts  begin 
to  diverge,  some  hours  earlier,  in  order  to  be  near  that  new  depot,  and  in  easy  communication 
•with  Quitman  and  Twiggs,  as  well  as  with  Worth.  From  this  point,  I  ordered  all  detach- 
ments and  stragglers  to  their  respective  corps,  then  in  advance  ;  sent  to  Quitman  additional 
siege  guns,  ammunition,  entrenching  tools;  directed  Twiggs'  remaining  brigade  (Riley's)  from 
Piedad,  to  support  Worth,  and  Capt.  Steptoe's  field  battery,  also  at  Piedad,  to  rejoin  Quitman's 
division.  • 

I  had  been,  from  the  first,  well  aware  that  the  western,  or  San  Cosme,  was  the  less  difficult 
route  to  the  centre  and  conquest  of  the  capital ;  and,  therefore,  intended  that  Quitman  should 
manoeuvre  and  threaten  the  Belen  or  southwestern  gate,  in  order  to  favor  the  main  attack  by 
Worth — knowing  that  the  strong  defences  at  the  Belen  were  directly  under  the  guns  of  the 
much  stronger  fortress  called  the  citadel,  just  within.  Both  of  these  defences  of  the  enemy 
were  also  within  easy  supporting  distance  from  the  San  Angel  (or  Nino  Perdido)  and  San 
Antonio  gates.  Hence  the  greater  support,  in  numbers,  given  to  Worth's  movement  at  the 
main  attack. 

Those  views  I  repeatedly,  in  the  course  of  the  day,  communicated  to  Maj.  Gen.  Quitman  j 
but,  being  in  hot  pursuit — gallant  himself,  and  ably  supported  by  Brig.  Generals  Shields  and 
Smith — Shields  badly  wounded  before  Chapultepec,  and  refusing  to  retire — as  well  as  by  all  the 
officers  and  men  of  the  column — Quitman  continued  to  press  forward,  under  flank  and  direct 
fires — carried  an  immediate  battery  of  two  guns,  and  then  the  gate,  before  two  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  but  not  without  proportionate  loss,  increased  by  his  steady  maintenance  of  that 
position. 

Here,  of  the  heavy  battery,  4th  artillery,  Capt.  Drum  and  Lieut.  Benjamin  were  mortally- 
wounded,  and  Lieut.  Porter,  its  third  in  rank,  slightly.  The  loss  of  those  two  most  distin- 
guished officers  the  army  will  long  mourn.  Lieutenants  J.  B  Moragne  and  Wm.  Canty,  of 
the  South  Carolina  volunteers,  also  officers  of  high  merit,  fell  on  the  occasion — besides  many 
of  our  bravest  non-commissioned  officers  and  men — particularly  in  Capt.  Drum's  veteran 
company.  I  cannot,  in  this  place,  give  names  or  numbers;  but  lull  returns  of  the  killed  and 
wounded  of  all  corps,  in  their  recent  operations,  will  accompany  this  report. 

Quitman,  within  the  city — adding  several  new  defences  to  the  position  he  had  won,  and 
sheltering  his  cores  as  well  as  practicable — now  awaited  the  return  of  daylight,  under  the 
guns  of  the  formidable  citadel,  yet  to  be  subdued. 

At  about  four  o'clock  next  morning  (Sept.  14th),  a  deputation  of  the  ayuntamiento  (city 
council),  waited  upon  me  to  report  that  the  federal  government  and  the  army  of  Mexico  had 
fled  from  the  capital  some  three  hours  before,  and  to  demand  terms  of  capiralation  in  favor 
of  the  church,  th«  citizens,  and  the  municipal  authorities.  I  promptly  replied  that  I  would 


630  RECAPITULATION  OF  AMERICAN  FORCE. 

sijjn  no  capitulation ;  that  the  city  had  been  virtually  in  our  possession  since  the  lodgment* 
effected,  by  Worth  and  Quuman,  the  day  before ;  that  I  regretted  the  silent  escape  of  the.  Mex- 
ican army ;  that  I  should  levy  on  the  city  a  moderate  contribution  for  special  purposes ;  and 
that  the  Mexican  anny  should  come  under  no  terms,  not  self-imposed — such  only,  as  its  own 
honor,  the  dignity  of  the  United  States,  and  the  spirit  of  the  age,  should,  in  my  opinion  impe- 
riously demand  and  impose. 

At  the  termination  of  the  interview  with  the  city  deputation,  I  communicated,  about  day- 
light, orders  to  Worth  and  Qukman,  to  advance  slowly  and  cautiously  (to  guard  against 
treachery),  towards  the  heart  of  the  city,  and  to  occupy  its  stronger  and  more  commanding 
points.  Quitman  proceeded  to  the  great  plaza,  or  square,  planted  guards,  and  hoisted  the 
colors  of  the  United  Slates  on  the  national  palace — containing  the  halls  of  Congress,  and  the 
executive  apartments  of  federal  Mexico.  In  this  grateful  service,  Quitman  might  have  been 
anticipated  by  Worth,  but  for  my  express  orders,  halting  the  latter  at  the  head  ol  the  JUamtda 
(a  green  park),  within  three  squares  of  that  goal  of  general  ambition.  The  capital,  however, 
was  not  taken  by  any  one  or  two  corps,  but  by  the  talent,  the  science,  the  gallantry,  the  prow- 
ess of  this  entire  army.  In  the  glorious  conquest,  all  had  contributed — early  and  powerfully 
— the  killed,  the  wounded,  and  the  Jit  for  duly — at  Vera  Cruz,  Cerro  Gordo,  Contreras,  Sau 
Antonio,  Churubusco  (three  battles),  the  Molino  del  Rey,  and  Chapultepec— as  much  aa 
those  who  fought  at  the  gates  of  Helen  and  San  Costne. 

Soon  after  we  had  entered,  and  were  in  the  act  of  occupying  the  city,  a  fire  was  opened 
upon  us,  from  the  flat  roofs  of  the  houses,  from  windows,  and  corners  of  streets,  by  some  two 
thousand  convicts,  liberated  the  night  before  by  the  flying  government — joined  by,  perhaps, 
as  many  Mexican  soldiers,  who  had  disbanded  themselves,  and  thrown  off  their  uniforms. — 
This  unlawful  war  lasted  more  than  twenty-four  hours,  in  spite  of  the  exertions  of  the  muni- 
cipal authorities,  and  was  not  put  down  till  we  had  lost  many  men,  including  several  officers, 
killed  or  wounded,  and  had  punished  the  miscreants.  **»•»» 

Leaving,  as  we  all  feared,  inadequate  garrisons  at  Vera  Cruz,  Perote,  and  Puebla — with 
much  larger  hospitals ;  and  being  obliged,  most  reluctantly,  from  the  same  cause  (general  pau- 
city of  numbers),  to  abandon  Jalapa,  we  marched  (Aug.  7-10),  from  Puebla,  with  only  10,738 
rank  and  file.  This  number  includes  the  garrison  of  Jalapa,  and  the  2.420  brought  up  by 
Brig.  Gen  Pierce,  August  6lh.  ^ 

,  At  Contreras,  Churubusco,  &.C.,  August 20th,  we  had  but  8,497  men  engaged — after  deduct- 
ing the  garrison  of  San  Augustin  (our  general  depot),  the  intermediate  sick,  and  the  dead  ;  at 
the  Molino  del  Rey,  Sept.  8th,  bnt  three  brigades,  with  some  cavalry  and  artillery— making 
in  all  3.251  men — were  in  the  battle ;  in  the  two  days — Sept.  12:h  and  13th— our  whole  opera- 
ting force,  after  deducting  again,  the  recent  killed,  wounded,  and  sick,  together  with  the  gar- 
rison at  Miscoac — the  then  general  depot — and  that  of  Tacubaya,  was  but  7.180;  and,  finally, 
after  deducting  the  new  garrison  of  Chapultepec.  with  the  killed  and  -wounded  of  the  two 
days,  we  took  possession,  Sept.  14th,  of  ihis  great  capital,  with  less  than  6.000  men!  And  I 
re-assert,  upon  accumulated  and  unquestionable  evidence,  that,  IB  not  one  of  these  conflicts, 
•was  this  army  opposed  by  fewer  than  three  and  a  half  times  its  numbers — in  several  of  them, 
by  a  yet  greater  excess. — I  recapitulate  our  losses,  since  we  arrived  in  the  basin  of  Mexico : 

August  19th,  20th — Killed,  137,  including  14  officers.  Wounded,  8T7,  including  62  officers. — 
Missing  (probably  killed),  38  rank  and  file.  Total.  1.052. 

!  September  8th — Killed,  116,  including  9  officers.  Wounded.  655,  including  49  officers.  Mu- 
ring. 18  rank  and  file.  Total,  789. 

September  12th,  13th,  14th — Killed.  130,  including  10  officers.  Wounded.  703,  including  6S 
officers.  Missing,  29.  rank  and  file.  Total,  862.  Grand  total  of  losses,  2,703,  including  383 
officers. 

On  the  other  hand,  this  small  force  has  beaten,  on  the  same  occasion,  in  view  of  their  capi- 
tal, the  whole  Mexican  army,  of  (at  the  beginning)  thirty  odd  thousand  men.  Killed  or  woun- 
ded, of  that  number  more  than  7000,  officers  and  men,  taken  3,730  prisoners,  one-seventh  offi- 
cers, including  13  generals,  of  whom  three  had  been  presidents' of  this  republic,  captured  20 
colors  and  standards,  75  pieces  of  ordnance,  besides  57  wall  pieces,  20.000  small  arms,  and  an 
immense  quantity  of  shot,  shells,  powder,  &c.,  &c.  *»»•** 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  with  high  respect,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

WINFIELD  SCOTT. 
Hon.  WM.  L.  MARCT,  Secretary  of  War. 


CITY   OF  MEXICO. 


631 


Santa  Anna  fled  with  part  of  his  shattered  army,  and  proceeding  back  to  Puebla,  joined  ia 
the  attack  then  making  by  Gen.  Rea,  upon  the  small  but  heroic  garrison  left  under  the 
gallant  Col.  Childs.  for  the  occupation  of  that  city. 

The  American  army  were  now  in  possession  of  the  valley  of  Mexico,  as  well  as  of  the 
cities  on  the  route  to  the  coast,  and  an  American  governor,  Gen.  Quitman,  the  first  of  his 
race,  swayed  the  rule  over  that  city,  for  the  possession  of  which,  three  hundred  and 
thirty  years  before,  the  Spanish  army  under  Cortez,  had  fought  with  such  desperation,  and 
at  last,  with  such  triumphant  success;  and  which  the  descendants  of  that  natiou  had  since 
held  untouched  and  unapproached  by  foreign  foe. 

The  scene  of  battle  for  each,  was  the  same ; — the  object  the  same ; — the  city  approached  by 
the  same  causeways,  the  work  of  the  ancient  Aztec  race,  who  fell  before  their  conquerors, 
then  also  the  conquerors  of  the  richest  parts  of  the  new  world,  which  in  its  vast  extent,  and 
its  incalculable  riches,  had  but  a  few  years  before  been  revealed  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
older  continent. — But  in  the  lapse  of  these  three  centuries,  the  glory  of  the  Spanish  race  has 
departed.  Corrupted  by  riches  and  enervated  by  luxury,  it  has  fallen,  and  the  rich  colo- 
nies planled  by  them  in  the  new  world,  are  now  but  the  shadows  of  nations,  possessing 
the  names  and  territories,  without  the  power.  While  the  hardy  and  intelligent  Anglo  Saxon 
race,  springing  from  a  then  inferior  nation,  and  planted  a  hundred  years  after  the  former  upon 
the  shores  of  America,  in  its  less  favored,  and  more  cold  and  sterile  sections,  has  increased 
into  a  mighly  nation,  long  the  superior  of  its  south-western  neighbor,  and  now  its  con- 
queror.— The  same  tall,  majestic  and  ancient  cypresses,  standing  on  the  hill  of  Chapultepec, 
the  former  royal  residence  of  the  emperors  of  the  Aztec  race,  have  seen  that  empire  in  all  its 
glory,  when  its  capital  city,  in  its  magnificence,  sat  before  them  in  the  midst  of  the  waters, 
and  tributary  nations  around  acknowledged  the  sway  of  its  semi-barbaric,  but  mighty 
sovereign.  They  saw  too,  the  small  but  gallant  array  of  Spanish  cavaliers,  with  their  train 
of  Indian  allies,  as  they  descended  from  the  mountains  on  the  coast,  into  the  lovely  and  popu- 
lous valley.  They  witnessed  the  terrible  struggles,  and  finally  the  downfall  of  the  ancient 
dynasty.  Three  hundred  years  after,  they  have  seen  another  army,  of  another  race,  approach- 
ing over  the  same  mountains,  to  gain  possession  of  the  same  city,  from  the  descendants  of  its 
former  conquerors.  They  have  witnessed  the  same  deadly  strife  fought  on  the  same  grounds  as 
before,  and  with  the  same  result.— The  city  was  dyed  in  the  blood  of  its  defenders.— Another 
flag  unrolled  its  folds  from  the  lofty  turrets,  and  the  North  American  descendants  of  the 
English,  banished  the  enervated  descendants  of  the  Spanish  race,  and  trod  in  triumph  the 
"  Halls  of  the  Montezumas." 

The  city  of  Mexico,  into  which  the  American  army  under  Gen.  Scott  had  now  entered,  it 
the.  oldest  of  the  American  continent.  Originally  it  was  situated  on  some  islands  in  lake 
Tezcuco.  and  was  transversed  in  various  directions  by  canals.  It  was  but  little  elevated  above 
the  surface  of  the  water,  and  at  this  period,  although  the  waters  of  the  lake  have  retired 
nearly  a  league  from  the  city  walls,  they  are  but  four  feet  below  the  level  of  the  streets. 
The  city  was  connected  with  the  main  land,  on  the  north,  the  south,  and  the  west,  by  long 
and  solid  causeways  of  stone  and  mortar,  the  shortest  of  which,  that  on  the  west,  was 
about  two  miles  in  length.  Besides  these,  was  a  narrower  causeway  running  through 
the  lake  to  Chapultepec,  the  principal  use  of  which  was  to  convey  a  large  pipe  of  water  from 
the  reservoir  on  that  hill,  throughout  the  city,  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants,  the  construc- 
tion of  fountains,  &c.  Although  as  said  before,  the  waters  of  lake  Tezcuco  have  far  retired 
and  the  city  is  no  longer,  like  a  second  Venice,  situated  in  the  midst  of  the  waters,  yet  these 
causeways  stilt  remain  an  imperishable  monument  of  the  skill  of  their  builders,  and  are  yet 
the  main  thoroughfares  to  the  city. — After  Mexico  was  taken  by  Cortez,  in  1521,  most  of 
the  buildings  were  torn  down  to  make  way  for  the  more  lofty  residences  of  the  conquerors; 
the  pagan  temples  gave  place  to  the  Catholic  churches ;  the  streets  were  widened,  but  retained 
their  same  courses,  over  the  same  ground  —The  Spaniards  endeavored  to  rebuild  the  capital 
in  a  style  that  should  eclipse  in  splendor  the  cities  of  the  old  world;  and  to  such  an  extent 
did  they  soon  succeed  in  doing  this,  that  a  traveler  who  visited  it  about  twenty  years 
after  the  conquest,  gives  it  as  his  opinion,  that  no  city  of  Europe  could,  at  that  time,  equal 
it  in  magnificence.  A  portion  of  the  wealth  that  fell  into  tfie  possession  of  the  Spaniards 
was  devoted  to  add  to  the  splendor  of  the  churches,  and  this  was  increased  also  by  munificent 
gifts  of  Charles  V,  and  the  succeed!  ngmoriarchs  of  Spain. — In  all  the  internal  convulsions 
of  Mexico,  this  vast  wealth  of  the  churches  has  remained  undisturbed,  and  now,  in  its  mag- 
nificent display,  excites  the  wonder  and  astonishment  of  the  beholder. 
But  Mexico  of  modern  time,  has  but  little,  save  this  splendor  of  iu  ancient  buildings,  aad 


632  SIEGE  OF   PUEBLA. 

the  wealth  of  its  churches,  to  excite  admiration ; — and  from  all  other  cities  of  the  Mexican 
republic,  it  is  distinguished  for  the  great  number  of  inhabitants,  who  are  in  a  state  of  the 
utmost  indigence,  and  indeed  of  beggary ;  having  no  habitation  save  the  shelters  of  the  public 
edifices,  and  no  method  of  obtaining  a  livelihood.  These  leperos.  as  they  are  called,  clothed 
in  rags,  crowd  the  streets,  begging,  as  their  only  reliance  for  food. — The  ecclesiastical 
portion  of  the  population  or  the  various  grades  of  the  priests,  in  their  number,  would  exceed 
the  belief  of  a  citizen  of  the  United  States.  These  also  are  drones,  living  only  by  the 
exercise  of  the  half  religious,  half  superstitious  feelings  of  the  mass  of  the  people. — But 
little,  that  would  interest  the  reader,  can  be  said  of  this  miserably  governed  city,  the  head 
of  a  worse  governed  nation. 

We  will  pass  on  to  a  glance  at  the  succeeding  operations  of  the  war.  and  first  take  up 
THE  SIEGE  OF  PUEBLA. 

This  siege,  on  account  of  the  disparity  of  the  forces  engaged,  and  the  aln/ost  unparalleled 
gallantry  of  the  little  body  of  United  Stales'  volunteers  and  regulars,  together  with  the  size  of 
the  city,  which  they  held  in  defiance  of  their  assailants,  and  the  length  of  time  they  with- 
stood the  assault,  and  the  hardships  undergone,  is  one  of  the  most  brilliant  affairs,  not  only 
recorded  of  this  war,  but  of  all  the  annals  of  warfare  throughout  the  civilized  world. — A. 
garrison  of  not  quite  four  hundred  men,  infantry,  artillery  and  cavalry,  in  the  heart  of  a  city 
of  70.000  inhabitants,  assailed  by  all  the  available  population,  and  by  the  additional  force  of 
8,000  men  under  Generals  Santa  Anna  and  Rea, — holding  that  city  in  a  continued  fight  of 
thirty  days  and  nights,  against  these  united  efforts,  supported  by  artillery,  appears  more  like 
romance,  or  an  act  of  the  days  of  chivalry,  than  like  the  reality  of  modern  warfare. 

When  the  American  army  passed  on  from  Puebla  towards  Mexico,  Col.  Childs  was  left 
as  the  military  commander. — His  force  consisted  of  six  companies  1st  Pennsylvania  regi- 
ment, under  Lieutenant-colonel  Black ;  two  companies  of  artillery,  Capts.  Kendrick  and 
Miller;  one  company  of  cavalry,  Capt.  Ford.  He  was  encumbered  with  1800  sick 
American  soldiers  in  hospital. — Not  until  after  the  first  battles  near  the  city  of  Mexico,  was 
he  interrupted.  On  the  night  of  the  13th  September,  a  fire  was  commenced  upon  his  force 
in  the  Plaza  of  the  city ;  renewed  on  the  14th,  and  then  kept  up  by  night  and  day  until  the 
12th  of  October,  when  as  Gen.  Lane  was  rapidly  approaching  the  city  from  the  east,  the 
Mexican  force  retreated  to  Atlixco. — Gen.  Santa  Anna,  when  he  abandoned  the  city  of 
Mexico,  on  the  night  of  Sept.  13th,  to  its  gallant  and  almost  desperate  invaders,  moved 
with  a  large  force  of  his  withdrawn  troops,  directly  back  upon  Puebla;  joined  forces  with 
Gen.  Rea,  in  the  attack  upon  Col.  Childs  and  his  little  band,  expecting  to  crush  him  and  thus 
revive  the  spirits  of  the  Mexicans,  by  cutting  off  the  passage  of  the  Americans. 

Part  of  Col.  Childs'  force  was  in  the  fortified  convent  of  Loreta,  on  the  heights  overlooking 
the  city.  When  the  Mexican  reinforcements  under  their  commander-in-chief  appeared  in 
sight,  on  Sept  22d,  the  numerous  bells  of  the  city  rang  out  in  triumph :  but  their  noise  was 
soon  silenced  by  a  destructive  discharge  of  shot  and  shell  from  the  Americans  above  them. — 
Santa  Anna  on  the  25th,  with  an  imposing  display  of  his  forces,  sent  a  demand  to  Col.  Childs- 
for  surrender;  but  he  received  an  answer  no  more  favorable  to  his  purpose,  than  the 
memorable  one  sent  to  him  by  "  Old  Zack,"  on  a  previous  occasion.  Here  was  a  little  band 
of  the  "  same  sort"  for  him  to  contend  with. — The  battle  then  raged  furiously  and  without 
intermission.  Barricades  of  cotton  bales  and  stone  were  raised  in  the  streets,  and  a  fire  of 
artillery  opened  upon  the  American  forces  in  the  Plaza.  The  houses  around  gave  shelter  to 
the  assailants,  who  from  every  window,  and  every  parapetted  roof  poured  a  continual 
shower  of  lead,  copper  and  iron,  upon  the  little  American  band  therein.  All  force  was 
concentrated  upon  it — the  heights  not  being  attacked,  but  a  fire  from  them  continually  sent 
death  and  destruction  through  the  city. — The  besieged  threw  up  defences  in  the  Plaza, 
dug  through  the  walls  of  the  buildings,  even  to  the  rear  of  the  enemy's  barricades,  and  issuing 
therefrom,  sword  in  hand,  and  with  the  bayonet,  routed  them,  and  burned  their  works.  They 
took  and  blew  up  the  buildings  from  which  the  enemy  annoyed  them  the  most. — The  ut- 
most enthusiasm  prevailed  among  the  American  troops.  Having  been  fortunate  enough  to 
collect  thirty  cattle  and  four  hundred  sheep  at  the  commencement  of  the  attack,  in  addition 
to  their  other  provisions,  they  determined  to  resist  to  the  last. 

This  attack  was  continued  by  all  the  Mexican  forces  until  the  evening  of  the  30th  of  Sept. 
when  Gen.  Santa  Anna,  •with  about  4000  men,  withdrew  to  meet  Gen.  Lane,  then  rapidly 
advancing  from  Perote  on  the  east :  while  Gen.  Rea  with  about  the  same  number,  continued 
the  assault  with  unremitted  ardor,  until  the  12th  of  October;  when  Gen.  Lane,  having  met  and 
defeated  Santa  Anna  at  Huamantla,  advancing  upon  Puebla,  Rea  and  his  forces  retreated 


BATTLES   OF  HUAMANTLA  AND  ATLIXCO.  ($33 

to  Atlixco,  leaving  Col.  Childs  and  his  little  band  in  possession  of  the  fair  city.  Let  ni 
now  turn  our  aitenlion  to  Santa  Anna,  as  he  left  Puebla  to  meet  Gen.  Lane,  whom  he  had 
met  before  at  Buena  Vista,  and  note  his  success  at  the  ensuing 

BATTLE  OF  HUAMANTLA. 

Gen.  Lane,  who  by  his  rapid  movements  and  indefatigable  energy,  in  pursuing  and  break- 
ing up  the  band  of  guerrillas,  after  this  time  acquired  the  name  of  the  Marion  of  Mexico, 
was  now  advancing  from  Vera  Cruz  toward  Puebla,  with  a  force  of  one  regiment  of  Indiana 
infantry,  Col.  Gorman;  one  do.  Ohio,  Col.  Brough;  four  companies  Georgia  mounted 
men,  Major  Lally  ;  nine  additional  companies  infantry,  two  batteries  of  artillery,  and  a 
large  wagon  train.— Santa  Anna  moving  from  Puebla.  took  a  position  at  some  distance  from 
the  national  road,  at  Huamantla,  with  the  intention  of  allowing  the  force  of  Gen.  Lane  with 
the  train  to  pass  him  on  its  route,  and  then  with  his  whole  strength,  suddenly  to  fall  on  the  rear 
of  the  Americans,  at  a  time  when  as  he  says,  l:  they  would  least  expect  it."  Gen.  Lane 
encamped  in  the  neighborhood  on  the  night  of  the  6th  of  October; — on  the  following  morn- 
ing, the  7th,  the  Mexican  forces  silently  commenced  the  march  for  the  appointed  place 
of  surprise.  But  Lane  at  the  same  time  having  heard  of  the  position  of  Sanla  Anna, 
determined  at  once  to  attack  him,  and  on  the  same  morning,  having  placed  the  train  com- 
pactly together  on  the  road,  leaving  with  it  Col.  Brough's  Ohio  regiment,  with  three  other 
companies  of  infantiy.  and  a  battery  of  artillery,  he  rapidly  marched  with  Gorman's  In- 
dianans.  Walker's  Georgia  mounted  men,  Wyncoop's  Pennsylvanians.  and  a  battery  of  five 
pieces  of  artillery,  for  Huamantla. — The  mounted  men  of  the  advance  under  Walker,  charged 
rapidly  on,  entered  the  town  and  immediately  were  engaged  hand  to  hand  with  the  force 
left  there.  In  this  bloody  conflict  the  gallant  Walker  lost  his  life.  This  fight  was  maintained 
by  the  cavalry  for  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  when  they  succeeded  in  putting  the  enemy 
to  flight;  capturing  two  pieces  of  cannon.  During  this  time,  the  infantry  and  artil- 
lery were  hurried  to  their  utmost  speed  towards  the  city  to  support  the  cavalry,  and  at  the 
same  lime  the  whole  Mexican  army  were  endeavoring  by  another  road,  in  full  view  of  the 
Americans,  to  get  back  into  the  town; — Santa  Anna  from  a  lofty  watchtower,  having 
seen  the  movement  of  the  Americans  from  the  road,  had  countermarched  his  forces  from 
their  original  destination.  In  this  exciting  race  between  the  two  opposing  armies,  the 
Mexicans,  from  the  nature  of  their  road,  succeeded  in  arriving  first  at  the  town,  and  succor- 
ing their  broken  battalions,  which  were  now  flying  before  the  chivalrous  cavalry.  Instantly 
the  lancers  charged  upon  and  drove  the  American  cavalry  back  into  the  town,  and, 
rapidly  pursuing  them,  were  met  in  their  turn  by  the  column  of  American  infantry,  with 
the  artillery,  and  a  sharp  engagement  ensued,  in  which,  the  Mexicans  were  totally  routed, 
and  dispersed  with  a  loss  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men; — American  los»  thirteen 
killed,  eleven  wounded. — This  was  Santa  Anna's  last  attempt,  in  person,  against  the 
Americans. — Abandoning  the  town  after  destroying  the  great  amount  of  military  stores  found 
there,  Gen.  Lane  with  his  force  rejoined  his  train,  and  proceeded  on  towards  Puebla;  which 
he  entered  on  the  13th,  clearing  the  way  before  him  by  vollies  of  musketry,  and  relieving  the 
gallant  detachment  under  Col.  Childs,  who  so  long  had  defended  the  place  against  over- 
whelming numbers.  The  Mexican  general,  Rea,  on  Lane's  approach,  retired  to  Allixco, 
but  the  indefatigable  American,  on  the  morning  of  the  19lh,  left  Puebla  in  pursuit  of  him. 
This  movement  led  to  the  next  action, 

THE  BATTLE  OF  ATLIXCO. 

Gen.  Lane,  taking  as  his  force,  Col.  Brough's  4th  Ohio,  and  Col.  Gorman's  4th  Indiana  regi- 
ments; Col.  Wyncoop's  battalion  of  1st  Pennsylvanians;  Capt.  Heintzleman's  battalion,  all 
infantry;  Major  Lally's  Georgia  cavalry;  a  squadron  of  regular  cavalry  under  Capt.  Ford, 
with  two  batteries  of  artillery,  under  Capt.  Taylor  and  Lieut.  Pratt,  left  Puebla  on  Ociober  19ih, 
to  seek  the  forces  of  Gen.  Rea,  at  Atlixco.  They  came  up  with  the  advance  of  the  enemy 
at  one  P.  M — A  fight  ensued. — The  Mexicans  retreated  a  mile  and  a  half,  and  made  anolhei 
stand;— were  gallantly  charged  by  the  American  cavalry  ;— They  again  retreated,  falling 
back  four  miles  upon  their  main  body,  drawn  up  on  a  hill  of  chapparel.— Upon  this  body 
the  cavalry  charged; — dismounted, — fought  hand  to  hand; — drove  them  towards  Atlixco, 
one  and  a  half  miles  distant.  The  artillery  and  infantry  came  up  ;— marched  on,  took  pos- 
session of  a  height  above  the  city,  and  cannonaded  it  by  moonlight  three  quarters  of  an 
hour,  when  it  was  surrendered,  but  the  Mexican  force  had  retreated.— The  Mexican 
loss,  from  the  battle  aud  cannonading,  was  heavy  ;— being  219  killed,  300  wounded.— Ameri- 
ican  loss  was  very  light, — only  one  killed,  one  wounded. 
Gen.  Lane  with  his  force  marched  on  to  the  city  of  Mexico,  and  for  a  few  days  took  up  his 


634  BATTLE  OF  ATLIXCO. 

quarters  in  the  '•  Hails  of  the  Montezuraas." — Troops  from  the  United  States  were  now 
pouring  into  Vera  Cruz. — About  a  mouth  after  Gen.  Lane  had  passed  up,  Gen.  Patterson  with 
a  large  force  and  heavy  train  moved  up  from  the  coast.—  Following  Gen.  Patterson,  with  four 
more  regiments,  Major  General  Butler,  already  distinguished  in  the  northern  army  under  Gen. 
Taylor,  commenced  his  march  towards  the  ciiy. — The  guerrillas  now  were  becoming  scarce. 
On  the  arrival  of  these  troops.  Gen.  Scott  had  under  his  command,  at  Mexico,  Puella,  Jalapa 
and  Vera  Cruz,  a  little  over  20.COO  available  men,  increased  afterwards  by  the  arrival  of 
the  force  of  Gen.  Marshal. — The  whole  country  now  wag  becoming  more  tranquil. — All  hopes 
of  successfully  resisting  the  American  power,  were  leaving  the  minds  of  the  Mexican  people, 
and  an  anxiety  for  peace  was  becoming  prevalent  among  all  the  better  classes — Santa 
Anna  endeavored  to  regain  the  presidency  ;  but  in  this  was  foiled. — Of  war  the  Mexicans  had 
had  enough.  The  northern  army  under  Gen.  Taylor,  after  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista,  had  done 
but  little — times  there,  at  Matamoras,  Camargo,  Monterey,  Saltillo,  and  in  all  the  camps,  had 
become  extremely  dull,  enlivened  only  by  the  continued  reports  of  the  fighting  at  the  south. 
Many  of  the  officers  returned  on  leave  of  absence,  and  among  others,  Old  Zack  himself,  left 
the  camp  at  Monterey  on  the  8th  of  November,  and  hastened  to  his  home,  greeted  in  hi* 
coming,  most  heartily,  by  all  parties  and  classes  in  the  United  Slates. 

The  northern  army  in  New  Mexico  under  Gen.  Price,  had  suffered  much  from  hardships ; — 
Chihuahua  having  again  been  taken  possession  of  by  the  hostile  forces  of  the  enemy,  that 
general  prepared  to  move  against  it. — In  California,  all  being  quietly  in  possession  of  the 
forces  of  the  United  States,  the  two  leading  officers  of  the  land  forces,  Gen.  Kearney  and 
Col.  Fremont,  returned  by  land  to  Washington  city. — An  unhappy  difference  having  oc- 
curred between  them,  it  was  referred  to  a  court  martial,  the  testimony  before  which, 
tended  principally  to  show  that  the  minds  of  the  most  meritorious  officers  are  not  free  from 
a  narrow  jealousy  of  one  another ;  a  love  of  power  and  praise,  and  envy  of  others  possess- 
ing the  same,  superior  or  yet  inferior.  A  difficulty  of  the  same  kind,  but  more  extended 
in  its  character,  arose  in  the  southern  army,  between  Gen.  Scott,  Gen.  Worth,  Gen.  Pillow, 
and  other  officers. — The  most  ridiculous  vanity  and  jealousy  were  shown  by  those  who  had 
been  fellow  actors  in  the  same  glorious  scenes ; — the  details  of  this  will  not  repay  the  pe- 
rusal ; — they  will  never  be  remembered  in  history,  while  their  glorious  actions  will  shine 
forth  never  to  be  forgotten. 

The  remaining  events  until  the  termination  of  hostilities,  are  of  lighter  moment  When  the 
court  of  inquiry  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Mexico,  to  examine  the  grounds  of  complaint, 
between  the  above  named  generals,  the  command  of  the  army  devolved  on  Major  General 
Butler. — Gen.  Lane  now  was  actively  engaged  in  scouring  the  country,  and  hunting  down 
the  various  guerrilla  bands,  and  in  several  minor  actions  in  pursuit  of  Santa  Anna,  Paredes, 
and  Jarauta.  a  renegade  priest; — in  these  he  proved  himself  emphatically,  by  active  prompt- 
ness and  gallantry,  a  second  Marion. — In  these  arduous  expeditions  he  was  most  ably 
seconded  by  his  officers  Col.  Hays,  and  Major  Polk  of  the  dragoons. — Paredes  returned  to 
Mexico  in  disguise,  and  endeavored  unsuccessfully  to  regain  his  power. — Santa  Anna  sought 
and  obtained  leave  to  depart  from  the  country,  which  he  did. — The  Mexican  government  was 
directed  first  by  President  Pena  y  Pena,  and  then  Anaya,both  favorable  to  peace  ;  and  under 
their  efforts  commissioners  were  appointed,  who  met  Mr.  Trist  near  the  city  of  Mexico,  and 
after  much  consultation,  a  treaty  of  peace  was  signed,  as  given  below,  and  on  the  29lh  of 
February,  an  armistice  was  agreed  upon  to  carry  into  effect  its  provisions. — All  fighting  now 
ceased,  save  with  scattering  guerrillas,  and  the  gallant  action  of  San  Resales,  fought  by  Gen. 
Price,  in  Chihuahua,  to  regain  possession  of  the  capital  of  that  state,— he  being  ignorant  of  the 
armistice.  This  action  of  San  Resales,  like  all  others,  ended  in  tHe  complete  rout  of  the 
Mexican  forces,  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Angel  Trias,  and  t^t  re-ocupation  of  the  citjr 
of  Chihuahua,  before  so  gallantly  taken  by  the  troops  of  Col.  Doniphan. 

The  following  synopsis  of  the  treaty  of  peace  will  be  found  interesting  and  important. 

TREATY  OF  PEACE,   FRIENDSHIP,  LIMITS.  AND  SETTLEMENT, 

BETWEEN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF   AMERICA.   AND  THK  MEXICAN   REPUBLIC.  CONCLUDED  AT  GCAD- 
AI/CPE  HIDALGO,  ON    THE  SECOND    DAT  OF    FE3RUARY.    AND    RATIFIED   WITH    AMENDMENTS,  BT 
THE  AMERICAN  SENATE,   MARCH  10.   1848. 
IN  THE  SAME  OF   ALMIGHTY  GOD  : 

The  United  States  of  America  and  United  Mexican  States,  animated  by  a  sincere  desire  to 
put  an  end  to  the  calamities  of  the  war  which  unhappily  exists  between  the  two  republics, 
and  to  establish  on  a  solid  basis  relations  of  peace  and  friendship,  which  shall  confer  recipro- 
cal benefits  on  the  citizens  of  both,  and  assure  the  concord,  harmony  and  mutual  confidence 


TREATY   OF   PEACE. 

v/hereia  the  two  people  should  live  as  good  neighbors,  hare  for  that  purpose  appointed  their 
respective  plenipotentiaries;  that  is  to  say,  the  President  of  the  United  States  has  appointed 
N.  P.Trist,  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  the  President  of  the  Mexican  Republic  has  ap- 
pointed Don  Louis  Gonzaga  Cuevas,  Bernardo  Conto,  Don  Miguel  Atristain,  citizens  of  the 
said  republic,  who,  after  a  reciprocal  communication  of  their  respective  powers  have,  under 
the  protection  of  Almighty  God,  the  Author  of  peace,  arranged,  agreed  upon  and  signed  the 
treaty  of  peace,  friendship,  limits  and  settlement,  between  the  United  State*  of  America  and 
the  Mexican  republic. 

ARTICLE  I. 

There  shall  be  firm  and  universal  peace  between  the  United  States  of  America  and  the 
Mexican  Republic,  and  between  their  respective  countries,  territories,  cities,  towns  and  peo- 
ple, without  exception  of  places  or  persons. 

ARTICLE  II. 

Immediately  on  the  signature  of  this  treaty,  a  convention  shall  be  entered  into  between  a 
commissioner  or  commissioners,  appointed  by  the  General-in-chief  of  the  forcesof  the  United 
States,  and  such  as  may  be  appointed  by  the  Mexican  government,  to  the  end  that  a  provi- 
sional suspension  of  hostilities  shall  take  place,  and  that  in  the  places  occupied  by  the  said 
forces,  constitutional  order  may  be  re-established,  as  regards  the  political,  administrative, 
and  judicial  branches,  so  far  as  this  shall  be  permitted  by  the  circumstances  of  military  oc- 
cupation. 

ARTICLE  III. 

Imni  idiately  upon  the  ratification  of  the  present  treaty,  by  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  orders  shall  be  transmitted  to  the  commanders  of  their  land  and  naval  forces,  requir- 
ing the  latter,  (provided  this  treaty  shall  then  have  been  ratified  by  the  government  of  the 
Mexican  republic)  immediately  to  desist  from  blockading  any  Mexican  ports;  and  requiring 
the  former,  (under  the  same  condition)  to  commence,  at  the  earliest  moment  practicable,  with- 
drawing all  troops  of  the  United  States  then  in  the  interior  of  the  Mexican  republic,  to  points 
that  shall  be  selected  by  common  agreement,  at  a  distance  from  the  sea-ports  not  exceeding 
thirty  leagues;  and  such  evacuation  of  the  interior  of  the  republic  shall  be  completed  with 
the  least  possible  delay ;  the  Mexican  government  hereby  binding  itself  to  afford  every  facili- 
ty in  its  power  for  rendering  the  same  convenience  to  the  troops  on  their  march,  and  in  their 
new  positions,  and  for  promoting  a  good  understanding  between  them  and  the  inhabitants. 
In  like  manner,  orders  shall  be  dispatched  to  the  person  in  charge  of  the  custom  houses  at  all 
points  occupied  by  the  forces  of  the  United  States,  requiring  them  (under  the  same  condition) 
immediately  to  deliver  possession  of  the  same  to  the  persons  authorized  by  the  Mexican 
government  to  receive  it,  together  wilh  all  bonds  and  evidences  of  debt  for  duties  on  import- 
ations and  exportation?,  not  yet  fallen  due.  Moreover,  a  faithful  and  exact  account  shall  be 
made  out,  showing  the  entire  amount  of  all  duties  on  imports  and  on  exports,  collected  at 
such  custom  houses  ,or  elsewhere  in  Mexico,  by  authority  of  the  United  States,  from  and 
after  the  day  of  the  ratification  of  this  treaty  by  the  government  of  the  Mexican  republic ; 
and  also  an  account  of  the  cost  of  collection,  and  such  entire  amount,  deducting  only  the  cost 
of  collection,  shall  be  delivered  to  the  Mexican  government,  at  the  city  of  Mexico,  within 
three  months  after  the  exchange  of  ratifications. 

The  evacuation  of  the  capital  of  the  Mexican  republic  by  the  troops  of  the  United  States, 
in  virtue  of  the  above  stipulation,  shall  be  completed  in  one  month  after  the  orders  there 
stipulated  for  shall  have  been  received  by  the  commander  of  said  troops,  or  sooner,  if  possible. 

ARTICLE    IV. 

Immediately  after  the  exchange  of  ratifications  of  the  present  treaty,  all  castles,  forts,  terri- 
tories, places  and  possessions,  which  have  been  taken  and  occupied  by  the  forces  of  the 
United  States  during  the  present  war,  within  the  limits  of  the  Mexican  republic,  as  about  to 
be  established  by  the  following  article,  shall  be  definitely  restored  to  the  said  republic,  to- 
gether with  all  the  artillery,  arms,  apparatus  of  war,  munitions,  and  other  public  property, 
which  were  in  the  said  castles  and  forts  when  captured,  and  which  shall  remain  there  at  the 
time  when  this  treaty  shall  be  duly  ratified  by  the  government  of  the  Mexican  republic.  To 
this  end,  immediately  upon  the  signature  of  this  treaty,  orders  shall  be  dispatched  to  the 
American  officer  commanding  such  castles  and  forts,  securing  against  the  removal  or  de- 
struction of  any  such  artillery,  arms,  apparatus  of  war,  munitions  or  other  public  property. 
The  City  of  Mexico,  within  the  inner  line  of  intrenchments  surrounding  the  said  city,  i»  com- 
prehended in  the  above  stipulations,  as  regards  the  restoration  of  artillery,  apparatus  of  war, 
fee. 


636  TREATY  OF  PEACE. 

The  final  evacuation  of  the  territory  of  the  Mexican  republic  by  the  forces  of  the  United 
States,  shall  be  completed  within  three  months  from  the  said  exchange  of  ratifications,  or 
sooner,  if  possible;  the  Mexican  republic  hereby  engaging  as  in  the  foregoing  article,  to  use 
all  means  in  its  power  for  facilitating  such  evacuation,  and  rendering  it  convenient  for  the 
troops,  and  for  promoting  a  good  understanding  between  them  and  the  inhabitants. 

If,  however,  the  ratification  of  this  treaty  by  both  powers  should  not  take  place  in  time  to  al- 
low the  embarkation  of  the  troops  of  the  United  States  to  be  completed  before  the  commence- 
ment of  the  sickly  season,  at  the  ports  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  in  such  case  a  friendly  arrange- 
ment shall  be  entered  into  between  the  General  in-Chief  of  the  said  troops  and  the  Mexican 
Government,  whereby  healthy  and  otherwise  suitable  places,  at  a  distance  from  the  ports 
not  exceeding  thirty  leagues,  shall  be  designated  for  the  residence  of  such  troops  as  may  not 
yet  have  embarked,  until  the  return  of  the  healthy  season. — And  the  space  of  time  here  re- 
ferred to  as  comprehending  the  sickly  season,  shall  be  understood  to  extend  from  the  first 
day  of  May  to  the  first  of  November. 

All  prisoners  of  war  taken  on  either  side,  on  land  or  on  sea.  shall  be  restored  as  soon  as 
practicable  after  the  exchange  of  the  ratifications  of  this  treaty.  It  is  also  agreed,  that  if  any 
Mexicans  should  now  be  held  as  captives  by  any  savage  tribe  within  the  limits  of  the  United 
States,  as  about  to  be  established  by  the  following  article,  the  government  of  the  United 
States  will  exact  the  release  of  such  captives,  and  cause  them  to  be  restored  to  their  country. 

ARTICLE    V. 

The  boundary  line  between  the  two  republics  shall  commence  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  three 
leagues  from  land,  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande,  otherwise  called  Rio  Bravo  del 
Norte,  or  opposite  the  mouth  of  its  deepest  branch,  if  it  should  have  more  than  one  branch 
emptying  directly  into  the  sea;  from  thence  up  the  middle  of  that  river,  following  the  deep- 
est channel,  where  it  has  more  than  one,  to  the  point  •where  it  strikes  the  southern  boundary 
of  New  Mexico;  thence,  westwardly,  along  the  whole  southern  boundary  of  New  Mexico 
(which  runs  north  of  the  town  called  Paso,)  to  its  western  termination ;  thence  northward 
along  the  western  line  of  New  Mexico,  until  it  intersects  the  first  branch  of  the  river  Gila; 
or  if  it  should  not  intersect  any  branch  of  that  river,  then  to  the  point  on  the  said  line  near- 
est to  such  branch,  and  thence  in  a  direct  line  to  the  same  :)  thence  down  the  middle  of  the 
said  branch  and  of  the  said  river,  until  it  empties  into  the  Rio  Colorado  ;  thence  across  the 
Rio  Colorado,  following  the  division  line  between  Upper  and  Lower  California,  to  the  Pacific 
Ocean. 

[The  second  clause  of  this  article  provides  that  the  boundary  line  between  Upper  Cali- 
fornia thus  ceded  to  the  United  States,  and  Lower  California  retained  by  Mexico,  shall  con- 
sist of  a  straight  line  drawn  from  the  mouth  of  the  Gila  River  directly  to  the  Pacific  Ocean, 
striking  the  same,  one  marine  league  south  of  the  port  of  Saa  Diego,  and  provides  also,  that 
each  government  shall  appoint  a  commissioner  and  surveyor,  who  shall  meet  at  San  Diego 
within  one  year  from  the  date  of  ratification  of  the  treaty,  and  shall  run  this  line  through  to 
the  mouth  of  the  Gila. 

The  clause  also  provides  that  the  southern  and  western  boundaries  of  New  Mexico  thus 
ceded  to  the  United  States,  shall  be  the  same  as  those  laid  down  on  Disturnell's  map  of  the 
United  Slates,  and  that  hereafter  these  boundary  lines  shall  not  be  changed,  except  by  free 
consent  of  both  governments.]  [AurnoB. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

The  vessels  and  citizens  of  the  United  States,  shall,  in  all  time,  have  a  free  and  uninter- 
rupted passage  by  the  Gulf  of  California,  and  by  the  river  Colorado,  below  its  confluence 
•with  the  Gila,  to  and  from  their  possessions  situated  north  of  the  boundary  line  defined  in  the 
preceding  article;  it  Being  understood  that  this  passage  is  to  be  by  navigating  the  Gulf  of 
California  and  the  river  Colorado;  and  not  by  land,  without  the  express  consent  of  the 
Mexican  Government. 

[The  second  clause  of  this  6th  article,  stipulates  that,  if  hereafter  it  may  be  found  advanta- 
geous to  construct  a  road,  railroad,  or  canal  along  the  bank  of  the  river  Gila,  that  both 
governments  will  form  an  agreement  for  its  construction.]  [AUTHOR. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

[This  article  stipulates,  that  the  river  Gila,  and  that  part  of  the  Rio  Grande  which  lies 
below  the  southern  boundary  of  New  Mexico,  as  ceded  to  the  United  States,  shall  be  free  for 
the  navigation  thereof  by  the  vessels  of  both  nation*. — That  neither  shall  interrupt  or  impede 


TREATY  OF  PEACE. 

this,  by  works  on  the  river,  or  by  any  taxes  on  vessels  navigating  the  same.  That  if  it  i» 
necessary,  in  order  to  improve  the  navigation  of  wide  rivers,  to  lay  any  tax  on  such  navi- 
gation, that  both  governments  shall  consent  to  the  same.]  [AoraOR. 

ARTICLE  Vin. 

[  This  article  provides,  that  the  Mexican  inhabitants  of  the  territory  thus  ceded  to  the 
United  States,  are  at  liberty  to  move  back  into  Mexico,  with  Iheir  effects,  without  tax  or 
charge;  or  they  may  remain,  and  become  citizens  of  the  United  States,  or  continue  citizens  of 
Mexico,  at  their  option:  but  they  must  make  this  selection  within  one  year  after  the  ratifica- 
tion of  the  treaty.  It  also  provides,  that  the  property  of  Mexicans  in  the  ceded  territory,  shaH 
he  guarantied  to  them  as  fully  as  though  they  were  citizens  of  the  United  States.]  [ABTHO*. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

[This  article  was  rejected  by  the  United  States'  Senate  ;  it  provided,  1st,  that  those  Mexi- 
cans who  might  become  citizens  of  the  United  States,  in  the  ceded  territory,  should  b« 
admitted  to  the  full  rights  of  said  citizenship  ;  that,  until  that  is  done,  they  shall  be  protected 
in  person  and  property  according  to  the  Mexican  laws.  2d.  That  the  priests  and  ecclesiastics 
in  the  said  territory,  be  guarantied  the  exercise  of  all  their  religious  privileges,  and  in  the 
possession  of  all  property  dedicated  to  Roman  Catholic  worship,  churches,  houses,  schools, 
hospitals,  Sec.  And  3d.  that  the  Catholic  Mexicans  thus  becoming  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  should  be  under  the  same  ecclesiastical  government  as  befote,  even  should  such 
ecclesiastical  authority  be  within  the  limits  of  the  Mexican  republic,  until  new  districts 
should  be  laid  off  conformable  to  the  laws  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church. 

The  effect  of  this  would  have  been,  to  have  placed  the  Mexicans  in  the  ceded  territory,  in 
the  character  of  political  citizens  of  the  United  States,  but  religiously  subject  (to  them  the 
strongest  bond)  to  the  ecclesiastical  authority  of  Mexico.  Rejecting,  therefore,  this  article, 
the  Senate  of  the  United  States  adopted  and  inserted  substantially  the  third  article  of  the 
treaty  with  France,  of  1803,  for  the  cession  of  Louisiana,  to  the  effect  that  inhabitants  of  the 
ceded  territory  shall  be  incorporated  in  the  Union  of  the  United  States,  and  admitted  as  soon 
as  Congress  shall  determine,  according  to  the  principles  of  the  federal  Constitution,  to  the 
enjoyments  of  all  the  rights,  advantages  and  immunities  of  citizens  of  the  United  Stales:  and 
in  the  meantime  they  shall  be  maintained  and  protected  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  their  liberty, 
property,  and  the  religion  which  they  profess.]  [AUTHOR. 

ARTICLE  X. 

[  This  article  related  to  the  grants  of  land  by  the  state  of  Texas.  It  was  rejected  by  the 
United  States'  Senate.  It  provided,  that  those  persons  who  had  received  grants  of  land  in 
Texas  from  the  Mexican  government,  prior  to  March  2d,  1836.  and  who  on  account  of  the 
war  between  Texas  and  Mexico,  had  not  performed  the  conditions  of  said  grants,  should 
now  perform  the  same,  in  the  given  period  of  time,  as  before,  but  dating  from  the  rati- 
fication of  this  treaty ;  and  such  grants  not  thus  complied  with  by  the  grantees,  should  not 
be  obligatory  upon  the  state  of  Texas;  —  the  same  provisions  were  also  extended  over  the 
other  ceded  territory  on  grants  issued  prior  to  May  13th,  1846. 

As  this  article,  if  agreed  to.  would  have  proved  a  prolific  source  of  disagreement  and  litiga- 
tion in  Texas  and  the  ceded  territory,  and  as  the  Mexican  government  was  justly  regarded 
as  having  now  no  right  to  interfere  with  the  lands  forever  ceded  from  it,  this  article  was 
wisely  rejected  by  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.]  [ArruoR. 

[The  next  article,  llth,  will,  if  complied  with  by  the  United  States,  as  they  are  most 
solemnly  pledged  to  do,  inevitably  lead  to  a  war  with  the  powerful  Indian  tribes  of  Coman- 
ches,  Apaches.  Navajos,  and  other  minor  ones,  who,  for  a  long  course  of  years,  have  been 
continually  in  the  practice  of  making  predatory  excursions  into  the  Mexican  territories. 
The  whole  power  of  the  northern  states  of  Mexico  has,  to  far,  been  unavailing  in  pre- 
venting these,  and  the  Mexican  republic  has  now  shrewdly  thrown  the  burden  thereof  on 
the  United  States,  looking  to  that  power  for  security;  a  security  of  more  value  to  Mexico 
than  all  the  territory  that  by  this  treaty  she  has  ceded;  for  her  northern  and  best  prov- 
inces will  be  secure ;  multitudes  of  haciendas,  now  deserted,  will  be  repeopled,  and  her 
richest  mining  district  of  Sonora.  before  unavailable  on  account  of  the  dreaded  Indians, 
•will  be  opened  to  her;  while  the  United  States  will  be  saddled  with  a  long  continued  and 
troublesome  war  with  these  formidable  savages.  This  article  is  one  of  the  most  carefully 
written  of  the  whole  treaty,  and  in  its  result,  will  be  of  far  more  benefit  to  Mexico,  than  the 
15,000,000  of  dollars  which  by  the  succeeding  article,  are  to  be  paid  to  her.]  [AUTHOR. 


638  TREATY  OF  PEACE. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

Considering  that  a  great  part  of  the  territories  which,  by  tne  present  treaty,  are  to  be 
comprehended,  for  the  future,  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  is  now  occupied  by 
savage  tribes  who  will  hereafter  be  under  the  control  of  the  government  of  the  United  States, 
and  whose  incursions  within  the  territory  of  Mexico  would  be  prejudicial  in  the  extreme, 
it  is  solemnly  agreed,  that  all  such  incursions  shall  be  forcibly  restrained  by  the  government 
of  the  Uniled  States,  whensoever  this  may  be  necessary:  and  that  when  they  cannot  b« 
prevented,  they  shall  be  punished  by  the  said  government,  and  satisfaction  for  the  same  shall 
be  exacted— all  in  the  same  way,  and  with  equal  diligence  and  energy,  as  if  the  same 
incursions  were  committed  within  its  own  territory,  against  its  own  citizens. 

It  shall  not  be  lawful,  under  any  pretext  whatever,  for  any  inhabitant  of  the  United  States 
to  purchase  or  acquire  any  Mexican,  or  any  foreigner  residing  in  Mexico  who  may  have 
been  captured  by  Indians  inhabiting  the  territory  of  either  of  the  two  republics,  nor  to  pur- 
chase or  acquire  horses,  mules,  cattle,  or  property  of  any  kind,  stolen  within  Mexican, 
territory  by  such  Indians,  with  fire-arms,  or  ammunition,  by  sale  or  otherwise. 

And  in  the  event  of  such  person  or  persons  captured  within  Mexican  territory  by  Indians, 
being  carried  into  the  territory  of  the  United  States,  the  government  of  the  latter,  engages 
and  binds  itself  in  the  most  solemn  manner,  so  soon  as  it  shall  know  of  such  captives  being 
within  its  territory,  and  shall  be  able  so  to  do,  through  the  faithful  exercise  of  its  influence 
and  power,  to  rescue  them  and  return  them  to  their  country,  or  deliver  them  to  the  agent  or 
representative  of  the  Mexican  government.  The  Mexican  authorities  will,  as  far  as  practi- 
cable, give  to  the  government  of  the  Uniled  States  notice  of  such  captures,  and  its  agent  shall 
pay  the  expenses  incurred  in  the  maintenance  and  transmission  of  the  rescued  captives, 
who.  in  the  meantime,  shall  be  treated  with  the  utmost  hospitality  by  the  American  authori- 
ties at  the  place  where  they  may  be.  But  if  the  government  of  the  United  States,  before 
receiving  such  notice  from  Mexico,  should  obtain  intelligence  through  any  other  channel 
of  the  existence  of  Mexican  captives  within  its  territory,  it  will  proceed  forthwith  to  effect 
their  release,  and  deliver  them  to  the  Mexican  agent  as  above  stipulated. 

For  the  purpose  of  giving  to  these  stipulations  the  fullest  possible  efficacy,  thereby  affording 
the  security  and  redress  demanded  by  their  true  spirit  and  intent,  the  government  of  the 
United  States  will  now  and  hereafter  pass,  without  unnecessary  delay,  and  always  vigilantly 
enforce,  such  laws  as  the  nature  of  the  subject  may  require.  And  finally,  the  sacredness 
of  this  obligation  shall  never  be  lost  sight  of  by  the  said  government  when  providing  for  the 
removal  of  Indians  from  any  portion  of  said  territories,  or  for  its  being  settled  by  the  citizens 
of  the  United  States  j  but,  on  the  contrary,  special  care  shall  then  be  taken  not  to  place 
its  Indian  occupants  under  the  necessity  of  seeking  new  homes,  by  committing  those  inva- 
sions which  the  United  States  have  solemnly  obliged  themselves  to  restrain. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

[  Provides  for  the  payment  of  15.000.000  of  dollars  !o  Mexico  by  the  United  States,  for  the 
extension  of  territory  of  the  latter  power.  It  also  indicates  two  methods  of  payment  of  this, 
sum.  The  first  method,  by  the  creation  of  stock  by  the  United  States,  was  rejected  by  the 
United  States'  Senate,  and  the  second  adopted  ;  —  that  is,  the  payment  of  3,000.000  immedi- 
ately upon  the  ratification  of  the  treaty,  and  3,000,000  yearly  for  four  years ;  to  be  paid  at  the 
city  of  Mexico,  together  with  interest  on  each  instalment,  at  the  rate  of  six  per  cent,  per 
annum.]  [AUTHOR. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

[By  this  article  the  United  States  also  agree  to  pay  the  amounts  due  by  the  Mexican 
government  to  American  citizens,  as  determined  by  the  conventions  of  April  llth,  1831,  and 
Jan.  30th,  1843,  and  to  release  the  Mexican  government  from  all  liability  therefor.]  [AUTHOR. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

[By  this  article  the  United  States  furthermore  agree  to  release  the  Mexican  government 
from  any  additional  claims  on  the  part  of  citizens  of  the  United  States,  that  may  have  arisen 
after  said  conventions,  up  to  the  time  of  the  date  of  this  treaty,  assuming  the  consideration, 
allowance  and  payment  of  the  same  on  the  part  of  the  United  States.]  [AUTHOR. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

[The  United  States  by  this  anicle,  after  repeating  the  entire  exoneration  of  the  Republic 
of  Mexico,  from  the  demand  of  those  claims  mentioned  in  the  14th  article,  agree  to  pay  and 
satisfy  ihe  same  to  the  amount  not  exceeding  3,260.000  dollars.  And  it  also  provides  for  the 


TREATY  OF   PEACE. 

establishment  of  a  Loard  of  commissioners  for  deciding  upon  the  validity  of  said  claims,  and 
makes  provision,  that  the  Mexican  government  shall  furnish  the  said  board  with  such 
documents  as  shall  be  in  its  possession,  and  which  may  be  deemed  necessary  by  said  board, 
for  its  decision  upon  said  claims.]  [AUTHOR. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

Each  of  the  contracting  parties  reserves  to  itself  the  entire  right  to  fortify  whatever  point 
in  its  territory  it  may  judge  proper  so  to  fortify,  for  its  security. 

ARTICLE  XVII. 

[  Provides  for  the  renewal  of  the  treaty  of  amity,  commerce  and  navigation  of  April  5th 
1831,  for  the  next  eight  years  afterwards;  said  treaty  to  be  abrogated  by  either  party, by 
giving  one  year's  notice  to  the  other.]  [AUTHOR. 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 

[Provides,  that  when  the  custom-houses  of  the  ports  shall  have  been  restored  to  Mexico, 
that  no  duties  shall  be  laid  upon  such  articles  as  shall  be  sent  by  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  for  the  use  of  her  troops  not  then  embarked,  and  that  this  shall  continue  while  any  of 
the  United  States'  troops  shall  remain  in  Mexico.]  [AUTHOR. 

ARTICLES  XIX  AND  XX. 

[These  articles  refer  to  the  security  of  goods  and  merchandize  imported  into  Mexico 
through  those  ports  of  which  the  forces  of  the  United  States  have  possession,  during  that 
period.  They  are  of  no  other  interest  to  the  general  reader.]  [AUTHOR. 

ARTICLE  XXI. 

[This  article  provides,  that  in  case  of  misunderstanding  between  the  two  republics  with 
regard  to  the  interpretation  of  this  treaty,  or  any  other  subject,  that  both  parties  shall  use 
their  utmost  endeavors  to  preserve  the  state  of  peace  between  the  two  nations,  and  settle,  if 
possible,  such  difference,  by  negociation  or  arbitration ; — not  to  resort  to  hostilities,  reprisals, 
&c.,  unless  the  party  that  considers  itself  aggrieved  shall,  after  mature  consideration,  deem 
that  milder  measures  would  be  "altogether  incompatible  with  the  nature  of  the  difference  or 
the  circumstances  of  the  case."]  [AUTHOR. 

ARTICLE  XXII. 

[  As  this  refers  to  the  manner  of  carrying  on  a  future  war,  it  is  inserted  in  full.] 
If  (which  is  not  to  be  expected,  and  which  God  forbid  ! )  war  shall  unhappily  break  out 
between  the  two  republics,  they  do  now,  with  a  view  to  such  calamity,  solemnly  pledge 
themselves  to  each  other,  and  to  the  world,  to  observe  the  following  rules,  absolutely,  where 
the  nature  of  the  subject  permits,  and  as  closely  as  possible  in  all  cases  where  such  absolute 
observance  shall  be  impossible. 

1.  The  merchants  of  either  republic  then  residing  in  the  other,  shall  be  allowed  to  remain 
twelve  months  (for  those  dwelling  in  the  interior),  and  six  months  (for  those  dwelling  at  the 
seaports),  to  collect  their  debts  and  settle  their  affairs  ;  during  which  periods,  they  shall  enjoy 
the  same  protection,  and  be  on  the  same  footing,  in  all  respects,  as  the  citizens  of  subject* 
of  the  most  friendly  nations;  and,  at  the  expiration  thereof,  or  at  any  time  before,  they  shall 
have  full  liberty  to  depart,  carrying  off  all   their  effects  without  molestation  or  hindrance; 
conforming  therein  to  the  same  laws  which  the   citizens  or  subjects  of  the  most  friendly 
nations  are  required  to  conform  to. 

Upon  the  entrance  of  the  armies  of  either  nation  into  the  territories  of  the  other,  women-, 
children,  ecclesiastics,  scholars  of  every  faculty,  cultivators  of  the  earth,  merchants,  artisans, 
manufacturers  and  fishermen,  unarmed,  and  inhabiting  unfortified  towns,  villages,  or  places, 
and  in  general,  all  persons  whose  occupations  are  for  the  common  subsistence  and  benefit  of 
mankind,  shall  be  allowed  to  continue  their  respective  employments  unmolested  in  their 
persons.  Nor  shall  their  houses  or  goods  be  burnt  or  otherwise  destroyed,  nor  their  cattle 
taken,  nor  their  fields  wasted  by  the  armed  force  into  whose  power,  by  the  events  of  war, 
they  may  happen  to  fall;  but  if  under  necessity  to  take  anything  from  them  for  the  use  of 
such  armed  force,  the  same  shall  be  paid  for  at  an  equitable  price.  All  churches,  hospitals, 
schools,  colleges,  libraries,  and  other  establishments  for  charitable  and  beneficent  purposes, 
shall  be  respected,  and  all  persons  connected  with  the  same,  protected  in  the  discharge  of 
their  duties,  and  the  pursuit  of  their  vocations. 

2.  In  order  that  the  fate  of  prisoners  of  war  may  be  alleviated,  all  such  practices  as  those 
of  sending  them  into  distant,  inclement,  or  unwholesome  districts,  or  crowding  them  int» 


640  TREATY  OF  PEACE. 

close  and  noxious  piaces,  shall  be  studiously  avoided.  They  shall  not  be  confined  in 
dungeons,  prison-ships,  or  prisons;  nor  be  put  in  irons,  or  bound,  or  otherwise  restrained  in 
the  use  of  their  limbs.  The  officers  shall  enjoy  liberty  on  their  paroles,  within  convenient 
districts,  and  have  comfortable  quarters,  and  the  common  soldiers  shall  be  disposed  of  in 
cantonments,  open  and  extensive  enough  for  air  and  exercise,  and  lodged  in  barracks  as 
roomy  and  good  as  are  provided,  by  the  party  in  whose  power  they  are,  for  its  own  troops. 

But  if  any  officer  shall  break  his  parole,  by  leaving  the  district  so  assigned  him,  or  any 
other  prisoner  shall  escape  from  the  limits  of  his  cantonment,  after  they  shall  have  been 
designated  to  him,  such  individual,  officer,  or  other  prisoner,  shall  forfeit  so  much  of  the 
benefit  of  this  article,  as  provides  for  his  liberty  on  parole  or  in  cantonment.  And  if  an 
officer  so  breaking  his  parole,  or  any  common  soldier  so  escaping  from  the  limits  assigned 
him,  shall  afterwards  be  found  in  arms,  previously  to  his  being  regularly  exchanged,  the 
person  so  offending,  shall  be  dealt  with  according  to  the  established  laws  of  war. 

The  officers  shall  he  duly  furnished,  by  the  party  in  whose  power  they  are,  with  as  many 
rations,  and  of  the  same  articles,  as  are  allowed,  either  in  kind  or  by  commutation,  to  officers 
•of  equal  rank  in  their  own  army;  and  all  others  shall  be  daily  furnished  with  such  rations  as 
is  allowed  the  common  soldier  in  his  own  service ;  the  value  of  all  which  supplies  shall,  at 
the  close  of  the  war,  or  at  periods  to  be  agreed  upon  between  the  respective  commanders, 
be  paid  by  the  other  party,  on  a  mutual  adjustment  of  accounts  for  the  subsistence  of  pris- 
oners; and  such  accounts  shall  not  be  mingled  with  or  set  off  against  any  others,  nor  the 
balance  due  on  them  be  withheld,  as  a  compensation.  Each  party  shall  be  allowed  to  keep 
a  commissary  of  prisoners,  appointed  by  itself,  with  every  cantonment  of  prisoners  in 
possession  of  the  other;  which  commissary  shall  see  the  prisoners  as  often  as  he  pleases; 
shall  be  allowed  to  receive,  exempt  from  all  duties  or  taxes,  and  to  distribute  whatever 
comforts  may  be  sent  to  them  by  their  friends,  and  shall  be  free  to  transmit  his  reports  in 
open  letters  to>the  party  by  whom  he  is  employed. 

And  it  is  declared  that  neither  the  pretence,  that  war  dissolves  all  treaties,  nor  any  other 
whatever,  shall  be  considered  as  annulling  or  suspending  the  solemn  covenant  contained  iu 
this  article.  On  the  contrary,  the  state  of  war  is  precisely  that  for  which  it  is  provided ;  and 
during  which,  its  stipulations  are  to  be  as  sacredly  observed  as  the  most  acknowledged 
obligations  under  the  law  of  nature  or  nations. 

ARTICLE  XXIII. 

This  treaty  shall  be  ratified  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  of  America,  by  and  with 
the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate  thereof;  and  by  the  President  of  the  Mexican  republic, 
with  the  previous  approbation  of  its  General  Congress;  and  the  ratifications  shall  be 
exchanged  in  the  city  of  Washington,  in  four  months  from  the  date  of  the  signature  hereof, 
or  sooner  if  practicable. 

In  faith  whereof,  we,  the  respective  plenipotentiaries,  have  signed  this  treaty  of  peace, 
friendship,  limits,  and  settlement;  and  have  hereunto  affixed  our  seals  respectively.  Done 
in  quintuplicate,  at  the  city  of  Gaudalupe  Hidalgo,  on  the  second  day  of  February,  in  the 

year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-eight. 

N.  P.  TRIST,  [L.  s.] 

Luis  G.  GUEVIS,  [L.  s.  ] 
BKENARDO  CONTO,  [L.  s.  ] 
Nio.  ATRISTAIN,  [L.  s.  ] 

[In  addition  to  this,  was  a  secret  article,  providing  that  the  term  of  eight  months  should 
be  given  for  the  ratification  of  the  treaty.  This  article  was  rejected  by  the  Senate  of  the 
United  States.]  [AUTHOR. 

This  treaty  of  peace  between  the  United  States  and  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  thus  amended, 
was  ratified  by  the  Senate  of  the  United  Slates  on  the  evening  of  the  10th  of  March,  1848,  by 
the  following  vote,  Ayes  37,  Nays  15. 

Messrs.  Sevier  and  Clifford  were  appointed  commissioners  to  Mexico,  and  the  treaty  thu» 
amended,  transmitted  to  the  Mexican  Congress,  to  be  assembled  at  Queretaro.  This  done, 
it  was  laid  before  that  body,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  19th  of  May,  1648,  was  ratified  by  the 
Mexican  Lower  House  or  Chamber  of  Deputies,  by  the  following  vote,  Ayes  51,  Nays  35. 
Then  passed  to  the  Mexican  Senate,  and  by  that  body  was  ratified  on  the  25lh  of  May,  1848, 
by  the  following  vote,  Ayes  33,  Nays  4. 

And  thus  ended  the  war  with  the  Mexican  republic,  after  a  duration  of  a  little  more  than 
two  years,  and  the  army  of  the  United  States  immediately  commenced  its  preparation* 
for  evacuating  the  soil  of  Mexico. 


I  5C.       10 


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